AVALANCHE EDGE SHARKS IN FINAL GAME BEFORE STADIUM SERIES.

The Sharks tied the game with 1:31 remaining in regulation, but Nathan MacKinnon (0-1—1) and Matt Duchene both scored in the shootout to lift the Avalanche to a win in their final outing before meeting the Detroit Red Wings in Saturday’s 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series.

At 32-27-4 (68 points), the Avalanche moved four points ahead of the idle Wild (27-23-10, 64 points) for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. They also moved within one point of the idle Predators (29-21-11, 69 points) for the first Wild Card position in the conference.

The Avalanche improved to 5-2-0 in their last seven contests on the heels of a four-game skid (0-3-1).

MILESTONES & MUSINGS

• Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (800) and Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner (100) both played in milestone games.
• The Capitals suffered their third loss at Verizon Center since Nov. 21 (17-2-1)
• Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (0-1—1) extended his point streak to nine games (4-10—14), the longest active such run in the NHL
• Avalanche forward Shawn Matthias and Sharks forward Nick Spaling both scored in their team debuts
• Bruins forward Brad Marchand recorded his 31st goal of the season, tied for fourth place in the NHL (w/ Tyler Seguin)
• At 29-27-5 (63 points), the Canadiens moved within five points of the Penguins (30-21-8, 68 points) – who lost in regulation – for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Montreal 4, WASHINGTON 3
BOSTON 5, Pittsburgh 1
COLORADO 4, San Jose 3 (SO)
ANAHEIM 1, Buffalo 0

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Minnesota @ Philadelphia, 7:00 p.m.
New Jersey @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m.
Carolina @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Arizona @ Florida, 7:30 p.m.
NY Rangers @ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m.
Nashville @ Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
Winnipeg @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
NY Islanders @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m.
Ottawa @ Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.
Edmonton @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.