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.
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