In a game hailed as a must win for the Colorado Avalanche (40-31-6, 86 Pts), the Vancouver Canucks (45-21-9, 99 Pts) bested the Avalanche, handing them a 3-2 overtime loss.

Colorado came out strong in the first and second periods as they jumped to a 2-0 leading heading into the final minutes of Period 2, but the Canucks offense finally hit a rhythm and they evened the score at 2-2 heading into the third. After allowing the two early goals early in the game, Canucks G Roberto Luongo locked down the visitor's net and defended a total of 28 shots on goal for a .950 save percentage.

The Avalanche offense furiously tried to retake the lead in the third period, firing 12 shots to the Canucks' 9, but time expired with the score at 2-2. Overtime began and ended with just one shot on goal, a 33-foot snap from LW Chris Higgins that sealed the game just 1:40 into overtime.

With the 3-2 loss, the Avalanche's postseason picture becomes ever more murky as they enter their final five games with only 86 points to their credit.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Canucks blog Nucks Misconduct. And be sure to drop by SB Nation's NHL news hub for all the latest news and commentary from around the league.