Mikael Granlund and Cutter Gauthier each scored in the shootout after Artturi Lehkonen tied it 1-1 for Colorado with 3:39 remaining in the third period.
“It's a team win and 'Dosty' played a great game, but I thought a lot of guys played a great game tonight,” Gauthier said. “Obviously, when a team scores late on you after having a lead for almost 55 minutes in a game, it [stinks], but you have to do what you can and control what you can control to get the job done.”
Lehkonen scored on a one-timer short side past Dostal’s glove from the right circle off a crossing pass from Brock Nelson, who took the puck down to the bottom of the left circle before finding Lehkonen.
“I didn't have any problems with [the game],” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “I think if I was going to be critical, I didn't love the way our back end moved the puck in the first period. So, I didn't think our offense was doing a whole bunch. On the positive side is, we did a nice job defensively.”
Jeffrey Viel scored in his second straight game, and Gauthier and Radko Gudas each had an assist for the Ducks (26-21-3), who had lost nine straight prior to their winning streak. Dostal won his fourth consecutive start.
“Thank the goalie, for sure. I mean, that was all goalie,” Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville said. “I think that we did some good things in front of him, but they had some great all-alone looks on several occasions tonight. So, you can see why they haven't had too many one-goal games this year, because they're dangerous every time they step on the ice.”
Scott Wedgewood made 16 saves for the Avalanche (34-5-9), who have lost three of four and are 3-3-2 in their past eight games.
"They had nothing. I mean, I think they just dumped the puck for 40 minutes,” Wedgewood said. “I felt like I had more touches, I think, with my stick than I made saves. They get a nice play in the second early on to go up, and you’re just waiting for one. He played a [heck] of a game over there for them to keep them up as long as possible.
“Credit to our guys, though. They were taking on water and we just kept going. So, never a doubt to get one. Obviously, just want to get a couple and come away with two( points). Just one of those nights where you kind of get goalied.”
Viel gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead at 1:27 of the second period after his wrist shot went through the legs of defenseman @sam m and past the blocker of Wedgewood. Gauthier took the puck into the zone and down the right wall before feeding Viel in stride for the shot from just above the left circle.
“I didn't see much, honestly,” Viel said with a laugh. “I just got the puck and looked up, and I think it was [Gudas] driving the net. And kind of just tried to put it on there, and, yeah, went in.”
