Avalanche 4-1 Sharks (Oct. 20, 2024) Game Recap

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Ross Colton scored two goals, Justus Annunen made 25 saves in his first start of the season and the Colorado Avalanche beat the winless San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Sunday.

Cale Makar had an unanswered goal and two assists, and Joel Kiviranta also scored a goal for Colorado. William Eklund scored for San Jose.

Colton has scored five goals in his last three games and scored twice Friday night in Anaheim, giving Colorado its first win of the season. He gave Colorado a 2-0 lead in the first period, finished with a power play at 6:23 and tied the score with 3:23 left.

Makar recorded 10 assists in six games and collected points in each game.

Eklund made it 2-1 late in the first half. Joel Kiviranta gave Colorado a 3-1 lead midway through the third period, and Makar scored the empty-net goal.

Vitek Vanecek stopped 18 shots for San Jose.

Takeaways

Avalanche: Colorado has three goaltenders on its three-game trip. Alexandar Georgiev – last season's NHL wins leader – struggled to start the season. Georgiev supported Annunen on Sunday. Kaapo Kahkonen, claimed off waivers by Winnipeg, could start making the trip.

Sharks: San Jose, which didn't win its first game until November last year, is one of two teams (Nashville) that has yet to win.

Key moment

The Sharks outscored the Avalanche after conceding two early goals, but Kiviranta's forehand-to-backhand goal midway through the third period off a precise drive from the point by Josh Manson halted San Jose's momentum.

Key statistics

San Jose, which allowed seven power play opportunities in each of its last two games before Sunday, had to defend a 5-on-3 power play for the third straight game.

Next

Avalanche: Tuesday evening in Seattle.

Sharks: Tuesday night in Anaheim.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl