Avalanche Earn 23rd Win

Dec 19, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) is congratulated for his goal by right wing Marc-Andre Cliche (24) and defenseman Jan Hejda (8) in the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche would defeat the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night after a strong performance in the second period, as Colorado would score three goals coming from Barrie, O’Reilly, and Talbot. They would come away with the win, 4-2 after Duchene’s empty-net goal.

The Colorado Avalanche would come out of the gates playing well early as they would have 7 shots on net, 5 blocked shots, and 3 that missed the net in the first ten minutes of regulation. Taylor Hall has been an Avalanche killer over his short career netting 19 career points against Colorado. Tonight would be no different as he gave the Oilers the 1-0 lead after a laser shot to the top-shelf, scoring his 13th goal of the season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jeff Petry would pick up the assists on Hall’s goal. Sam Gagner would get called for high-sticking on Paul Stastny that would originally be called a 2:00 minute minor, but was switched to 5:00 minute major and a 10:00 minute game misconduct. Colorado would have 3:32 remaining on the power-play heading into the second period.

Prior to the end of the first period, Taylor Hall would get an unsportsmanlike conduct call at the buzzer as the Avs had a 5-on-3 opportunity for a whole 2:00 minutes to start the second period. Paul Stastny would have a chance to tie it up after Parenteau made a nice pass across but the shot went off of the post. Tyson Barrie would convert on the power-play scoring his second goal of the season, assisted by Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny, tying the game at one. Colorado would have under 2:20 remaining on Gagner’s penalty but wouldn’t scratch another goal.

Taylor Hall would be scrapping away again as he forced a turnover from the Avalanche’s top defensive line forcing Erik Johnson to turn it over as Hall found Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the left side of the net for his ninth goal of the season.Ryan O’Reilly would quickly respond scoring his 11th goal of the season on a good feed from Nathan MacKinnon, who faked the one-timer. O’Reilly tied the game up at two, as Matt Duchene would pick up his second assist of the game.

Patrick Bordeleau would pick up a terrible penalty with 2:03 remaining the second period giving the Oilers a valiant chance to take the lead. However, Marc-Andre Cliche would lead a 2-on-1 break as he found Maxime Talbot for the short-handed goal, earning his fourth of the season putting Colorado ahead, 3-2. Colorado would take the lead heading into the third period, out shooting the Oilers 30-to-15.

Nathan MacKinnon would have a 2-on-1 opportunity with forward Ryan O’Reilly but Mac’s pass across would be tipped by the defender. Edmonton would pull their goaltender with 1:53 remaining in the third period and failed to get anything going. Gabriel Landeskog and P.A. Parenteau would miss the empty-net shots early on, but Matt Duchene would come through with one with just 1.1 seconds left, as Colorado finished off Edmonton 4-2.

Three Stars:

3: Semyon Varlamov (COL): 27 saves, 16th win of the season.

2: Maxime Talbot (COL): 16th career short-handed goal, GWG.

1: Matt Duchene (COL): Goal, two assists.

The Colorado Avalanche (23-10-1) will travel to Los Angeles on Saturday to face the Kings. Puck-drop at 3:30 PM ET, 1:30 PM MT.