SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Colorado Avalanche clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a 4-3 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Tuesday.
Nathan MacKinnon had two goals and an assist and reached 100 points for the first time in his NHL career when he scored on a breakaway at 3:13 of overtime.
Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) checks Jacob MacDonald (9) – Photo by Jack Lima
Mikko Rantanen and Devon Toews each had two assists for the Avalanche (46-24-6), who clinched a playoff berth after regulation combined with the Calgary Flames’ 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Alexander Georgiev made 28 saves.
Colorado moved into a tie with the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild for first place in the Central Division.
Kevin Labanc scored twice, and Logan Couture had two assists for the Sharks (22-39-16), who host the Avalanche again Thursday. Kaapo Kahkonen made 38 saves.
Jack Johnson gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead at 4:29 of the first period when his shot from the point redirected off Henry Thrun‘s skate.
Evan Rodrigues made it 2-0 at 6:24, scoring on a rebound of MacKinnon’s shot.
Labanc cut it to 2-1 at 12:55 of the second period with a wrist shot from the left face-off circle to finish a 2-on-1.
Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev makes a stop on a shot by Marc-Edouard Vlassic (44) – Photo by Jack Lima
MacKinnon made it 3-1 at 17:54 with a shot through traffic that beat Kahkonen five-hole.
Jacob Peterson made it 3-2 at 5:50 of the third period with a power-play goal before Labanc tied it 3-3 on a rebound at 7:11.
Sharks forward Tomas Hertl did not play in the third because of an undisclosed injury.
Photos by Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Linesman Justin Johnson drops the puck on a faceoff between Mikko Rantanen (96) and Nico Strum (7) – Photo by Jack Lima
Jacob Peterson (24) moves in on goal as Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7) tries to tie up his stick – Photo by Jack Lima
Evgeny Svechnikov (10) looks to make a pass during first period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev – Photo by Jack Lima
Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon celebrates his overtime winning goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen – Photo by Jack Lima
Avalanche forward Denis Malgin looks to take a shot on goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson (3) celebrates his goal that opened the scoring early in the first period – Photo by Jack Lima
Logan Couture (39) and J.T. Compher (37) battle for the puck in the corner – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) attempts to block a shot as Valeri Nichushkin (13) looks for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen makes a stick save – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen makes a stop on a shot by Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Photo by Jack Lima
Steven Lorentz (16) attempts a wrap-around shot on goalie Alexander Georgiev as Samuel Girad (49) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
You must be logged in to post a comment.