Charlie Coyle netted the lone goal in the shootout to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 comeback victory over the short-handed Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.
Coyle buried a shot into the top corner against Akira Schmid in the shootout. At the same time, Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood stopped all three Vegas attempts after making 19 saves through regulation and overtime.
Colorado erased a 2-0 deficit in the second period. Valeri Nichushkin scored on a power play — a goal initially waved off before a video review overturned the call — and Jimmy Vesey tied the game minutes later. It marked Colorado’s 23rd comeback win this season and ensured the Avalanche will finish no lower than third in the Central Division.
Nathan MacKinnon assisted on Nichushkin’s goal, extending his home point streak to 26 games.
Vegas got on the board with a shorthanded goal from William Karlsson, his first since December 21, and Brayden McNabb added another in the second. Playing without top scorer Jack Eichel and key defensemen Nicolas Hague and Alex Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights managed to force overtime despite being outshot 36-21. Schmid was excellent in goal, making 34 saves.
Game Takeaways
Golden Knights: Keegan Kolesar celebrated part of his 28th birthday in the penalty box after a fight. Vegas went 0-for-4 on the power play.
Avalanche: Vesey’s goal was his first with the team since being acquired from the New York Rangers in a March 1 trade that included defenseman Ryan Lindgren.
Key Moment
Midway through the second, Schmid made a spectacular glove save while lying on his back. However, a video review showed the puck had crossed the line inside his glove, overturning the initial no-goal call and giving Nichushkin credit.
Key Stat
The Avalanche went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Golden Knights failed to convert on four opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Avalanche: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday in their home finale.
Golden Knights: Return to Vegas to face the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night.
