RALEIGH, N.C. — When the opening puck was dropped at the RBC Center on Saturday night, Paul Stastny and Andrew Brunette were on the ice together for the Avalanche. The surprise was the third linemate — rookie Cody McLeod.
Starting the game on the first line — and scoring a goal and assist in the Avs’ 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes — was another milestone in McLeod’s rather remarkable career story.
Undrafted by an NHL team and starting the season with Lake Erie of the American Hockey League, McLeod has become one of the Avs’ best players since his call-up. His goal Saturday got the Avs started on a late third-period comeback, and he provided another game of rugged, physical play.
“We wanted to give some balance (to the top line) and he did a nice job,” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said.
The only sour point of the game for McLeod was a turnover at the Carolina blue line that led to a Chad LaRose goal early in the second period to make it 3-1.
“I was pretty rattled after that for a little bit. I’ll take the responsibility for that goal,” McLeod said. “It’s nice to make up for that mistake a little bit.”
McLeod’s goal came when he kept jamming at a loose puck in the crease, a goal that stood up to a video review.
“It just got over his pad finally,” he said. “I’m just thankful to the coaches for putting me in, in some critical situations. It was a tough win, but we kept working for it.”
