Sports

Duchene scores winner and Avalanche keep slim playoff hopes alive with 4-2 win over Ducks

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla, left, battles Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, April 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Christine Cotter) (The Associated Press)

Colorado Avalanche center Joey Hishon, right, controls the puck ahead of Anaheim Ducks right wing Chris Wagner during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, April 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Christine Cotter) (The Associated Press)

Matt Duchene scored the winning goal about halfway through the third period as the Colorado Avalanche kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

Duchene pulled in the puck after Corey Perry could not control it in the Avalanche zone and rocketed down the ice. Barely a step ahead of Sami Vatanen, Duchene beat John Gibson under the goalie's left leg for his 21st of the season.

That goal keeps the Avalanche mathematically alive for another day, trailing the Los Angeles Kings by six points for the final berth with only four games remaining. The Avalanche play their final road game Saturday at the Kings.

Reto Berra overcame a shaky first period and made 35 saves for the Avalanche.