2-In-1 Recap: Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets Fall

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets:

Dec 17, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 105-93. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center, 105-93. The Nuggets would trail in every single quarter as Kevin Durant took over for the Thunder, scoring 30 points while adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Ty Lawson would keep the Nuggets offense in the mix as the guard scored 17 points with 3 rebounds and 13 assists. Serge Ibaka would score the teams first 11 points as the power forward finished 7-of-11 from the field with 17 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double.

Denver would get out-rebounded by the Thunder 53-to-43 as Kenneth Faried was limited in the second half. Faried would finish with 13 points while collecting 7 rebounds, 3 were offensive. J.J. Hickson would have another strong game for the Nuggets as the forward/center would score 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, adding 14 rebounds. On reason the Thunder has success against the Nuggets was points off of turnovers; Oklahoma City cashed in on Denver’s mistakes as they would score 23 points on Denver turnovers. Russell Westbrook would torch the Nuggets as he almost completed a triple-double, scoring 21 points with 13 rebounds and 8 assists. Also, Nuggets forward Jordan Hamilton would also get ejected in the fourth quarter for throwing a punch at Thunder center Steven Adams.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars:

Dec 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Alex Chiasson (12) screens Colorado Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere (35) during the second period at American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Avalanche 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas would begin the game with a double-minor from Ryan Garbutt as he picked up the high-sticking penalty. Colorado entered the game going 0-for-31 on their previous 31 chances on the power-play, as Paul Stastny almost ended the drought, but it hit off the post. Finally, the Avalanche would score on the power-play on a slap-shot from Erik Johnson that was put in off of the rebound by Matt Duchene, scoring his 15th goal of the season, ending the power-play drought. The center would be assisted by Johnson and Tyson Barrie.

Dallas would have an answer of their own as Ray Whitney would score his 2nd goal of the season, putting the puck right past Jean-Sebastien Giguere. He would be assisted by Shawn Horcoff and Alex Chiasson. Marc-Andre Cliche would engage in a fight with Chiasson not to long after. Erik Johnson would record another point as the defenseman would score his 4th goal of the season assisted by Matt Duchene and Nick Holden, giving the Avalanche the 2-1 lead.

It would be all Dallas from that point, as Ray Whitney would connect on the power-play chance scoring his 2nd goal of the game, tying it up at two. He would be assisted by Sergei Gonchar and Alex Chiasson.  Colton Sceviour would strike with less than three-minutes remaining in the game as he sent it past Giguere for the game-winning goal. Rich Peverley and Dan Ellis would pick up the points as Dallas came away with the win, 3-2.

Three Stars:

3: Matt Duchene (COL): One goal, one assist.

2: Colton Sceviour (DAL): One goal, game-tying goal.

1: Ray Whitney (DAL): Two goals, game-winning goal.