Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller scored 1:52 apart early in the third period, Jaroslav Halak stopped 32 shots and the Vancouver Canucks beat the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Wednesday night.
Boeser got things rolling by taking advantage of a turnover with a goal 1:23 into the final period. Miller knocked in another off a rebound moments later. Bo Horvat added an empty-net goal as the Canucks finished 1-2 against the Avalanche this season. They avoided being swept by Colorado for the first time since 1996-97 in the season series.
The Avalanche have been the third-period comeback kings this season, but couldnB次元官网网址檛 add to their total of 10, tied for tops in the league. Nazem KadriB次元官网网址檚 power-play goal made it 2-1 early in the third.
Halak came up big down the stretch, with one sprawling save after another.
Halak gets his paddle on it for his 23rd save of the night!
B次元官网网址� Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks)
Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves in a game filled with plenty of skating and not a lot of whistles. There were long stretches with no breaks.
Miller added an assist on HorvatB次元官网网址檚 empty-netter with 17.6 seconds remaining. Miller now has 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) over his last 17 games.
Andrew Cogliano made his Avalanche debut after being acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline. The veteran forward nearly scored an early goal and demonstrated his tenacity by getting into a minor scuffle after being called for tripping.
The defence ruled the night over the opening 40 minutes. Kuemper withstood 18 shots through two periods, while Halak turned back 23 B次元官网网址� and got some help with Kadri hitting the post.
The Avalanche have a big lead in the standings, but no plans of cruising toward the finish line. ItB次元官网网址檚 full throttle all the way with three straight second-round playoff exits as motivation.
B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e always a good team until someone shows you youB次元官网网址檙e not,B次元官网网址� Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said.
The Canucks face an uphill climb to claim one of the final playoff spots. Just donB次元官网网址檛 tell them that.
B次元官网网址淯ntil weB次元官网网址檙e done, weB次元官网网址檙e playing every game as if itB次元官网网址檚 our last game,B次元官网网址� Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau said after the morning skate. B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 necessarily look at the standings, just play it. Eventually, if you have some success, youB次元官网网址檒l be where you want to be.B次元官网网址�
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THIS & THAT
Colorado forward Artturi Lehkonen will have to wait to make his Avalanche debut as he works through immigration issues. Lehkonen was acquired from Montreal at the trade deadline. B次元官网网址� Singer Hazel Miller initially struggled with the start of B次元官网网址淥 Canada,B次元官网网址� apologized to the crowd and then began again. She followed with B次元官网网址淭he Star-Spangled BannerB次元官网网址� that received a loud applause.
FAMILY FIRST
Cogliano hopes to soon be joined in Denver by his wife and two young children. The coupleB次元官网网址檚 1-year-old daughter, Olive, is dealing with complications related to asthma thatB次元官网网址檚 led to a few trips to the hospital this season.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e on the right path to figuring it out,B次元官网网址� he said.
UP NEXT
Canucks: At Minnesota on Thursday.
Avalanche: Host Philadelphia on Friday.
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