Avalanche beat Flames in clash of West leaders

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Valeri Nichushkin scored two power-play goals and Darcy Keumper stopped 44 shots as the Colorado Avalanche edged the Calgary Flames 2-1 Tuesday night in a matchup of Western Conference division leaders.

"Gutsy win by our group," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "I thought our team was highly committed on the defensive side of things.

"Power play steps up at the end gets us a big win."

Central Division-leading Colorado (47-14-6) won the season series 2-1. The Avalanche did so without Nathan MacKinnon (lower body), their leading scorer who was hurt in a third-period fight with Minnesota’s Matt Dumba on Sunday.

Nazem Kadri took MacKinnon’s spot on the Avs’ top line with Nichuskin and Mikko Rantanen. After going winless in his two previous starts, Kuemper improved to 31-9-3.

"Definitely a credit to the depth of the team," Kuemper said. "The willingness and ability for guys to step up their game and make up for the guys that are missing."

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Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) checks Calgary Flames' Rasmus Andersson during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Tyler Toffoli scored for Pacific Division-leading Calgary (40-18-8). Jacob Markstrom (31-13-7) stopped 28 shots. The Flames are 2-2-0 on a six-game homestand that continues Thursday against Los Angeles. The Kings are second in the Pacific, seven points behind the Flames.

With the score tied 1-1, Colorado capitalized on a tripping penalty to Elias Lindholm halfway through the third period. Mikko Rantanen spotted Nichushkin in front and