Watch CBS News

Avalanche Hold On In Final Seconds For 3-2 Win Over Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Nazem Kadri had a goal and two assists, Hunter Miska stopped 16 of 18 shots and the Colorado Avalanche held on to beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 on Friday night. The 25-year-old Miska was playing in just his fourth NHL game and nearly earned a shutout until the Coyotes scored two goals in the final two minutes.

Arizona had a sleepy offensive performance until Phil Kessel scored with 1:36 left and Drake Caggiula added another one with 53 seconds left.

That led to a tense exchange in the final seconds before the Avalanche fended off a final Coyotes offensive flurry.

The Coyotes came into the game on a roll, becoming just the eighth NHL team to win consecutive games after trailing by at least three goals. They nearly pulled it off again in shocking fashion, but waited too late to get the offense started.

Colorado Avalanche v Arizona Coyotes
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche plays the puck along the boards in front of Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Gila River Arena on February 26, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)

Colorado jumped ahead 1-0 early in the second period on a power play when Mikko Rantanen scored from close range at the far post after a quick crossing pass from Kadri. It was Rantenen's eighth goal of the season.

Arizona goalie Adin Hill made his first start of the season in place of the injured Darcy Kuemper, who was out with a lower body injury that happened during the team's win on Wednesday. Hill stopped 14 shots in the come-from-behind victory after replacing Kuemper.

Hill played well again in a scoreless first period, stopping 11 shots, including a handful at close range. Things got chippy late in the first period when Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog slammed Arizona's Conor Garland to the ice. Both were assessed a minor roughing penalty.

Colorado pushed ahead 2-0 early in the third when Andre Burakovsky beat Hill with a hard shot to the top right corner. It was his fourth goal of the season. The Avalanche put the game away later in the third when Kadri slipped his sixth goal of the season past Hill into the bottom left corner of the net.

Kessel's goal was his eighth of the season. Hill stopped 25 of 28 shots.

OUCH

Linesman Brad Kovachik took a puck to the side of the head midway through the first period and had to leave the ice. The game went on with two referees and one linesman until he returned in the second period.

UP NEXT

The teams meet again in Arizona on Saturday night.

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

(© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.