The Colorado Avalanche avoided being shutout for the first time this season, but Lukas Dostal prevented them from claiming two points.
The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Avalanche, 2-1, in a shootout Wednesday night at Ball Arena. Colorado is now 3-1-2 on this season-long, seven-game homestand that wraps up Friday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
It took 34 shots and more than 56 minutes for the Avalanche to solve Dostal. Artturi Lehkonen buried a one-timer on a pass from Brock Nelson with 3:39 remaining in the third period to make this a 1-1 hockey game.
Anaheim nearly grabbed a late winner in regulation, but after Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood stopped the initial shot, both he and Victor Olofsson dove into the blue paint to keep the puck from crossing the goal line.
Dostal finished with 39 saves, including 19 in the third period and overtime. Wedgewood made 15, including a pair of breakaway stops in extra time.
The Avalanche tried out a new-look top line in this contest. Olofsson joined Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the first unit. Olofsson also joined the top power-play unit. The Avs had ample offensive zone time during their two chances with the extra man, but only three shots on goal.
Colorado’s typical top line, MacKinnon between Necas and Artturi Lehkonen, has logged the second-most minutes together at 5-on-5 of any forward trio in the NHL this season (460.8 minutes), trailing only Winnipeg’s top unit of Mark Scheifele between Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi (491.9 minutes).
Anaheim scored the lone goal of the opening 40 minutes on a counterattack early in the second period. Sam Malinski tried to poke the puck ahead along the left wall in the offensive zone, but Ducks captain Radko Gudas intercepted it and sent the visitors in the other direction.
Related Articles
Avalanche trade Ilya Solovyov, increasing chances of future additions on defense Keeler: Avalanche’s Scott Wedgewood stoned Alex Ovechkin, Capitals — but his best save came off the ice Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin misses game after pregame car accident Avalanche coach Jared Bednar’s message to his team: ‘We have to dig in’ Lightning coach Jon Cooper knows what Avalanche needs — a little adversity | JournalCutter Gauthier found Jeffrey Viel wide open as the trailer and he beat Scott Wedgewood with a shot from the edge of the left circle. One of Colorado’s new-look top line forwards needed to find Viel, but Necas skated towards Gauthier and Olofsson wasn’t able to get back in time.
The Ducks just traded for the 28-year-old Viel on Friday, picking him up from the Boston Bruins for a fourth-round pick. Viel, known more as an energy player who will drop the gloves, had just three goals in 64 NHL games before joining Anaheim, but this was his second goal in three games for the Ducks.
Anaheim was without two of its best young players in this contest. Leading scorer Leo Carlsson hasn’t played since Jan. 10 because of a thigh injury that could keep the 21-year-old Swedish star out of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Mason McTavish was a late scratch just before puck drop because of an upper-body injury.
FOOTNOTES: The Avs recalled Jack Ahcan and Taylor Makar for this game. Colorado has been rotating forwards in the final lineup spot with Gabe Landeskog and Joel Kiviranta injured. Kiviranta could return Friday against the Flyers. Ahcan, who played eight games earlier this year, is back with the parent club because Ilya Solovyov was traded Tuesday to the Pittsburgh Penguins for minor-league forward Valtteri Puustinen and a seventh-round pick.
Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.
Hence then, the article about avalanche finally solve lukas dostal late but ducks prevail in shootout was published today ( ) and is available on The Denver Post ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Avalanche finally solve Lukas Dostal late, but Ducks prevail in shootout )
Also on site :
- Katie Couric Shares Photo From Hospital Bed With Important PSA: 'Wish Me Luck'
- Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,428
- Thrash Metal Icon Reveals Truth About Final Album of 43-Year-Old Band