Matt Duchene has six goals in his last five games, and is now tied with Jarome Iginla with a team-leading seven:
BOSTON — The Avalanche improved to 2-7-1 in one-goal games with Thursday’s 3-2 triumph against the Bruins. Suddenly, the Avs are controlling play and outshooting teams. Coming off Tuesday’s 4-0 win at Philly, Colorado outshot Boston 10-7 in the third period and 30-27 for the game. .
“Things happen quick and I know I’ve been there. I know he didn’t mean it and I don’t think he’s a dirty player. It’s hockey; it is what it is.” — Boston’s Brad Marchand, on the Avs’ Gabe Landeskog
Avs captain Gabe Landeskog was assessed a game misconduct 5:46 into the second period. He checked Brad Marchand on the Bruins forward’s follow-through. Landeskog was on the back-check, and accused of contact to the head. He had plenty of time to examine replays before meeting with reporters.
Landeskog: “Obviously he wasn’t hurt (by throwing) that sucker punch … I feel like my principal point of contact was (his) shoulder”
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers)
I spoke to Landeskog in a media scrum (above tweet) and alone. One-on-one, I asked him what should be considered worse — his check or Marchand’s punch while he was trying to apologize for the collision.
“It’s not up to me to make that decision — what’s worse — but it’s a physical game and the principle point of contact by watching the video is his shoulder,” Landeskog said. “As I see him in a vulnerable position I try to let up. Clearly, with that sucker punch he wasn’t hurt. I’m glad to see he wasn’t hurt.”
Asked if he expects supplemental discipline, Landeskog said: “I hope not.”
Mikhail Grigorenko played a team-low 6:38 but had the game-winning assist. He was replacing Landeskog at the time.
Duchene assisted on the game-tying goal. He has nine points in his last six games.
