Game Recap
The Anaheim Ducks were swept in their season series with the Colorado Avalanche, despite the Avs playing a B-team of sorts in the final meeting of the campaign. Colorado, which was playing the tail end of a back-to-back set, won 4-2 at Honda Center on Sunday night behind four unanswered goals in the second half of the third period.
Avalanche’s Comeback
Already resting bodies or cautiously treating injuries to both core and peripheral players – Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and a host of others that sat Saturday against the Kings were joined by Valeri Nichushkin on Sunday – the Avalanche’s roster had the feel of a split squad, albeit a highly competitive one. The Ducks have won two of their past six games and can no longer finish above a .500 points percentage.
Disappointing Loss
It was their final home game, and on Fan Appreciation Night, they treated the crowd early but disappointed it late. They have just two road games remaining on their docket, a back-to-back swing that will take them to Minnesota on Tuesday and Winnipeg on Wednesday. “That’s not a reflection of what a team needs to do to be a winning team or even have a conversation about the playoffs,” Coach Greg Cronin said. “We turned pucks over repeatedly. It’s extremely disappointing.”
Notable Performances
Mason McTavish and Sam Colangelo lit the lamp for the Ducks. Defenseman Ian Moore made his NHL debut after playing most of this season at Harvard and signing his entry-level contract this weekend. He registered three shots on goal and displayed the poise of a veteran with the ebullience of a neophyte. Lukáš Dostál made 20 of 23 saves. Charlie Coyle scored the game-winning goal and assisted on a power-play marker by Jack Drury (who added an assist), as well as an empty-net score by Erik Johnson. Wyatt Aamodt, 27, notched his first career goal. Scott Wedgewood stopped 18 shots.
Post-Game Analysis
“With teams like that –– obviously, they had some really good guys out –– it’s more the culture they have there, everybody was just kind of like ‘next man up,’” McTavish said. “We knew it would be a tough game. Clearly, they still have a lot of skill.” The Ducks failed to cash in on an early third-period power play and then had to kill a penalty of their own. They did so thanks to Dostál, who made two point-blank saves in quick succession on Drury as part of a masterful display.
Turning Point
Colorado broke up his potential shutout with 9:55 remaining in the match and then tied the game with a power-play goal 4:29 later, when Drury exacted his revenge. Coyle would complete the Colorado comeback with 2:09 to play before Johnson added an empty-netter in the dying embers. “Everything went off of turnovers. And it wasn’t like they stripped us, we had full possession of pucks,” Cronin said.
Conclusion
The loss was a disheartening one, despite the relative lack of significance for both sides, Cronin said. “I don’t care what game it is during the season, you either play the right way or you play the wrong way. We just played the wrong way.” The Ducks will look to bounce back in their final two games of the season, on the road against Minnesota and Winnipeg.
FAQs
- Q: Who scored the game-winning goal for the Colorado Avalanche?
A: Charlie Coyle scored the game-winning goal. - Q: How many goals did Mason McTavish score this season?
A: Mason McTavish scored 22 goals this season. - Q: Who made his NHL debut for the Anaheim Ducks?
A: Defenseman Ian Moore made his NHL debut for the Anaheim Ducks. - Q: What is the Ducks’ record in their last six games?
A: The Ducks have won two of their last six games. - Q: Who stopped 18 shots for the Colorado Avalanche?
A: Scott Wedgewood stopped 18 shots for the Colorado Avalanche.
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Ducks right wing Sam Colangelo (64) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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ANAHEIM — The Ducks were swept in their season series with the Colorado Avalanche, despite the Avs playing a B-team of sorts in the final meeting of the campaign.
Colorado, which was playing tail end of a back-to-back set, won 4-2 at Honda Center on Sunday night behind four unanswered
