Avalanche comeback falls short vs. Devils as Justus Annunen falters in third career start

New Jersey Devils right wing Nathan Bastian (14) celebrates his goal against Colorado Avalanche goalie Justus Annunen (60) in the first period at Ball Arena March 01, 2023. Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) tried to defend on the play. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)The Avalanche tested their recent invincibility by putting a prospect in the net against a top-five scoring team in the NHL, as if just to show how good they’ve been.

The flex almost worked.

Colorado lost 7-5 to the Devils on Wednesday after digging and almost climbing out of a 5-1 hole in the second period. Alexandar Georgiev, who had started eight of the…