Vatrano’s Hat Trick, Big 3rd Period Help Ducks Stun Avs 5–3

Anaheim Ducks center Isac Lundestrom, left, congratulates right wing Frank Vatrano, who scored against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Jan. 26, 2023. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)

DENVER—Frank Vatrano scored three goals, Adam Henrique and Mason McTavish scored 24 seconds apart in the third period and the Anaheim Ducks rallied from a two-goal deficit to stun Colorado 5–3 on Thursday night, Jan. 26,  and snap the Avalanche’s six-game winning streak.

Trailing 3-1, Vatrano scored his second goal with 1:23 left in the second period.

The Ducks then dominated early in the third period. Henrique tied it on a feed from Denver native Troy Terry at 9:42. And McTavish put the Ducks ahead when his shot trickled past Pavel Francouz.

The Avalanche had numerous chances late, twice hitting the post until Vatrano scored an empty-net goal for his third career hat trick.

John Gibson stopped 40 shots as the Ducks, in last place in the Pacific Division, finished a six-game trip 3–2–1.

Logan O'Connor (25) of the Colorado Avalanche fires a shot on goal against John Gibson (36) of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at Ball Arena in Denver on Jan. 26, 2023. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Mikko Rantanen scored twice, Samuel Girard added a goal and an assist and Cale Makar had an assist in his return from injury, but the Avs fell to fourth in the Central Division, a point behind Minnesota.

Francouz made 27 saves.

Makar had missed four games with an upper-body injury. But his return coincided with Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) sitting out.

Nathan MacKinnon fed Girard 1:13 into the second period for his 40th assist to put the Avs ahead 2–1. Then with Colorado on the power play after Gibson was called for intentionally dislodging the net, Rantanen rocketed a one-timer for his 34th goal.

It took the Avs, who had not trailed during their win streak, just 3:56 to go ahead when Rantanen knocked Makar’s rebound into an open net. It was Makar’s 31st assist.

Despite being outshot 18–7 in the first, Vatrano tied it for the Ducks midway through the period when he converted his own fat rebound.

Vatrano scored again to give Anaheim momentum entering the third. His hat trick gave him five goals in five games.

Nieto’s Back

Matt Nieto received loud cheers when introduced, then skated on Colorado’s fourth line a day after he was reacquired in a trade with San Jose.

“It’s been a whirlwind of a day,” Nieto said in a between periods TV interview, “but just to have the comfort level and familiarity is a good thing.”

Nieto had 34 goals and 47 assists in 251 games over three-plus seasons in Colorado through the 2019–20 season.

“He fits our system. He’s a skater, a worker, a responsible checker,” coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s a good addition.”

NOTES: Bednar referred to Nichushkin as day-to-day. The Ducks were without D Kevin Shattenkirk (lower body), while D John Klingberg (illness) returned from a one-game absence. D Ryan Merkley, also acquired from the Sharks, was assigned to Colorado’s AHL affiliate. Denis Malgin returned from injury and assisted on Rantanen’s second goal.

Up Next

Ducks: Host Arizona on Saturday night.

Avalanche: Host St. Louis on Saturday.

By Mike Cranston