DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche – the NHL team that probably needs it least – got some help in their latest third-period comeback.

With the score tied, the Avalanche got lucky on several fronts. A New York Islanders goal was signaled on the ice, the light came on and something angrier than a cheer went up at Ball Arena as the puck appeared to cross the line on an overhead replay.

However, officials overturned the call.

Avalanche notebook: Milestones and experiments as Colorado heads into March

“I couldn’t see white,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said, describing space between the puck and the goal line. “They showed the top view. We had it right away on our monitor, and we’re like – it’s no goal.”

Fifty-nine seconds later at the other end of the ice, Andre Burakovsky made it goals in three straight after ending a 17-game drought.

“You’ve just got to stay with it,” Burakovsky said. “I think I was creating before too. I got chances, just maybe a little bit unlucky.

“Luck turned a little bit and it’s nice to see them go in.”

Colorado defenseman Devon Toews’ name dotted the scoresheet (1 goal, 2 assists) in his first meeting with his former team and the Avalanche beat the Islanders 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Toews spent the first two seasons of his career in New York and faced the Islanders for the first time since he was traded in October 2020. He gave the Avalanche a short-lived 2-1 lead when he pinched in and scored from the hashmarks.

Third-period scoring spurt sends visiting Colorado Avalanche past Vegas Golden Knights

“You have friends on other teams and people that are close to you, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to go out there and do our job,” Toews said. “We were fortunate tonight to get the win.

“I think at times, we didn’t look very good. At other times, we looked really dangerous. If we want to make a long run, we’ve got to do it for 60 (minutes) every night.”

Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring with a goal best appreciated in slow motion. Cale Makar pushed the puck to MacKinnon, who dropped it off for himself through the legs of Islanders captain Anders Lee. MacKinnon turned and fired, beating Ilya Sorokin (38 saves) with a long shot.

Toews had the secondary helper. Makar earned the primary and extended his assist streak to nine games (14 assists).

The possibility of Toews’ goal standing up as the winner lasted just 45 seconds, as the puck spit out to wide-open New York center Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Kyle Palmieri deposited a rebound and gave the Islanders their first lead of the game with seven and a half minutes left in the second period.

Gabriel Landeskog tied the game at 3 on a third-period power play. The Avalanche captain banked the puck in off Sorokin from behind the goal line.

At 3-3, the Islanders goal was called back. Colorado defenseman Ryan Murray twisted his body and somehow compelled Lee to dig the puck away from the goal line – legally.

Colorado Avalanche drop six unanswered goals on Winnipeg Jets, including Landeskog hat trick

“He actually forces him to knock it out of the net. That was their guy’s stick,” Bednar said. “Good desperation play, playing it right to the whistle.”

Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves, none more important than a down-and-out deflection as soon as the Islanders sent out the extra attacker.

Jersey from Landeskog, silver stick from Erik Johnson. Then it was back to the bench for gloves, helmet and a more practical stick. We’re underway. pic.twitter.com/OngsRHfiUA

— Kate Shefte (@KateShefte) March 2, 2022

The game was Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson’s 1000th in the NHL and he was honored before puck drop. He and his family received gifts including a jersey with the number “1000,” handed over by Landeskog, and the customary silver stick, from fellow American blueliner Erik Johnson.

Jack is the 21st U.S.-born defenseman to reach the milestone.

“Last night I thought about it a lot – I was just a kid that was hoping I’d be good enough to play college hockey,” Johnson said. “All of this has been just far and beyond anything I ever imagined.”

Note: Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) missed the game. Bednar described him as day-to-day.

Congratulations, Jack.Tonight is your night. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/BKp766f7OZ

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 2, 2022