Through two periods and the first 12 minutes of the third Friday night, “Gruuuu” chants were heard more than 35 times, providing a groovy environment for the Avalanche and its fans at the Pepsi Center.
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| Avalanche beats Coyotes in shootout to extend lead in playoff chase |
Despite giving up a late lead, Colorado still wound up ahead.
Nathan MacKinnon's shootout goal lifted the Avalanche over the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 on Friday night and they tightened their grip on the second Western Conference wild-card berth.
MacKinnon and Derick Brassard also had power-play goals in regulation for Colorado, which extended its lead over Arizona to three points in the race for the wild-card berth. Both teams have four games remaining.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson had both goals for the Coyotes, including the tying goal with 51 seconds remaining in regulation. Neither team could score in the extra period, leading to the shootout.
The Arizona Coyotes’ possible path to the playoffs, explained
The Arizona Coyotes lost what was billed as their most important game since 2012 on Friday night when they fell 3-2 in the shootout to the Colorado Avalanche.
A win in regulation for Arizona would’ve allowed the Coyotes to control their destiny for the rest of the season and determine on their own whether they make the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Instead, they sit three points back of the Avs, who occupy the second Western Conference Wild Card spot.