NHL

Colorado Avalanche at San Jose Sharks

· National Hockey League
Final
4 - 1

Colton scores twice, Annunen makes 25 saves to help Avalanche beat winless Sharks 4-1

Ross Colton lights the lamp for Avalanche

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

Colton has five goals in his last three games, also scoring twice Friday night in Anaheim in Colorado’s first victory of the season. He gave Colorado a 2-0 lead in the first period, connecting on a power play at 6:23 and at even strength with 3:23 left.

Makar has 10 assists through six games, and has points in each one.

Eklund cut it to 2-1 late in the first. Joel Kiviranta gave Colorado a 3-1 lead midway through the third, and Makar added the empty-netter.

Vitek Vanecek stopped 18 shots for San Jose.

Takeaways Avalanche: Colorado is carrying three goalies on its three-game trip. Alexandar Georgiev — the NHL victory leader last season — has struggled to start the season. Georgiev backed up Annunen on Sunday. Kaapo Kahkonen, who was claimed off waivers from Winnipeg, could get a start on the trip.

Sharks: San Jose, which did not win its first game last year until November, is one of two teams (Nashville) still without a victory.

Key moment The Sharks outshot the Avalanche after giving up two early goals, but Kiviranta's forehand-to-backhand goal midway through the third after a pinpoint feed from the point by Josh Manson stunted San Jose's momentum.

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

Up next Avalanche: At Seattle on Tuesday night.

Sharks: At Anaheim on Tuesday night.

Regular Season Series

COL leads series 1-0

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 6:23 Ross Colton Goal (5) Wrist Shot, assists: Nathan MacKinnon (8), Cale Makar (9)
Goal 1st Period 16:37 Ross Colton Goal (6) Wrist Shot, assists: Mikko Rantanen (7), Cale Makar (10)
Goal 1st Period 18:25 William Eklund Goal (1) Wrist Shot, assists: Mikael Granlund (6), Tyler Toffoli (3)
Goal 3rd Period 9:57 Joel Kiviranta Goal (1) Backhand, assists: Josh Manson (3), John Ludvig (1)
Goal 3rd Period 18:23 Cale Makar Goal (2) Snap Shot, assists: Nathan MacKinnon (9), Samuel Girard (3)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/col.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCOL https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/sj.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originSJ
18 Blocked Shots 13
19 Hits 26
0 Takeaways 0
22 Shots 26
1 Power Play Goals 1
4 Power Play Opportunities 5
25.0 Power Play Percentage 20.0
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
32 Faceoffs Won 31
50.8 Faceoff Win Percent 49.2
19 Giveaways 16
7 Total Penalties 6
17 Penalty Minutes 15

Game Information

SAP Center at San Jose

Location: San Jose, CA
Attendance: 14,125 | Capacity:

2024-25 Central Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Winnipeg 15 1 30 0
Minnesota 10 2 23 3
Dallas 9 5 18 0
Colorado 9 8 18 0
Utah 7 6 17 3
St. Louis 7 9 14 0
Chicago 6 9 13 1
Nashville 5 9 12 2

2024-25 Pacific Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Vegas 10 4 22 2
Los Angeles 9 6 21 3
Vancouver 8 3 19 3
Calgary 8 6 19 3
Edmonton 8 7 17 1
Seattle 7 8 15 1
San Jose 5 9 13 3
Anaheim 5 8 12 2
Full Standings