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 Boedker scored two goals as the Colorado Avalanche battled back
from an early deficit to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 Wednesday.
The Avalanche (36-31-4) snapped a three-game road losing streak
while moving into the final wild-card playoff spot in the NHL's
Western Conference. They lead the Minnesota Wild by one point.
Boedker has three goals and two assists in seven games since being
acquired in a Feb. 29 trade with the Arizona Coyotes. Watching
videos with coach Patrick Roy prior to the game gave a boost to the
left winger's confidence.
"It always helps when you are doing good things, but you need that
little extra," said Boedker, who has 16 goals this season. "Those
two goals are going to help me along the way."
Boedker broke a 1-1 tie with a pretty goal just 37 seconds into the
third period.
Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev turned the puck over, allowing
Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon to hit Boedker with a pass.
Boedker used his speed to skate around Vancouver defenseman Ben
Hutton, then flipped a shot over the glove of goaltender Ryan
Miller.
 "I didn't know it went in," Boedker said. "MacKinnon asked me why I
didn't smile when I scored, but I didn't know it went in before
everybody came and hugged me.
"You are just trying to get around the defenseman and get a shot on
net."
Miller, who stopped 31 shots during the game, blamed himself for the
goal.
"I don't feel like that play was set up very well by myself," he
said. "I probably allowed a little bit of room. I would like to do
that one over."
Andreas Martinsen also scored for the Avalanche. Matt Duchene earned
an assist to extend his scoring streak to four games (two goals,
four assists).
Henrik Sedin gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead at 12:00 of the first
period. Boedker tied the game just 66 seconds later, deflecting a
pass from Jarome Iginla past Miller.
Roy liked the way his team fought back.
"When they took the 1-0 lead, we scored right after. That was good
for our confidence," he said.
Roy said Boedker had played well since the trade but needed more
confidence in his game.
"I really feel his game is right there, and sometimes if you are
just more confident around the net, things will go your way," he
said. "I thought that's what he did tonight.
"He played some good hockey for us, and I was happy to see him
rewarded."
Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov made 28 saves in the win.
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"We are in a good position," he said. "It's up to us now. We just
need to win our games."
The Canucks, who lost for the sixth time in nine games, saw their
playoff hopes continue to dwindle. Vancouver (27-30-12) trails
Colorado by 10 points.
"Our effort was there all night," Henrik Sedin said. "They scored
some good goals. Their second one was world-class, and there's not
much you can do about it."
Vancouver's already difficult road to the playoffs has been made
even bumpier by a roster filled with rookies and second-year
players.
"Look at our team, the personnel and what we are trying to do,"
Henrik Sedin said. "We know where we are.
"It's tough to win games in this league. We are trying to understand
that and get better moving forward."
Russian defenseman Nikita Tryamkin, playing in his first game as a
Canuck, had an assist.
"The rink was smaller, everything was faster," said Tryamkin, whom
the Canucks signed last week from the KHL. "I need more time to
adapt to the new fast pace."
NOTES: D Nikita Tryamkin, who is 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, became the
ninth player to make his NHL debut with the Canucks this season. ...
RW Alex Burrows, who missed Monday's loss to Winnipeg with a foot
injury, returned to the Vancouver lineup. ... Canucks C Brendan
Gaunce and D Andrey Pedan, who were recalled from Utica of the AHL,
both played. ... Vancouver D Luca Sbisa (upper body), D Alex Biega
(undisclosed), RW Derek Dorsett (upper body) and C Markus Granlund
(upper body) did not dress. ... The Canucks' next game is Friday in
Edmonton before they return home Saturday to face St. Louis. ...
Colorado D Tyson Barrie played despite missing practice Monday. ...
The last Avalanche 30-goal scorers were Joe Sakic (36) and Milan
Hejduk (35) in 2006-07. ... D Andrew Bodnarchuk replaced D Zack
Redmond on Colorado's third defensive pair. ... D Chris Bigras, who
has missed three games with a concussion, will be re-evaluated
before the Avalanche play in Calgary on Friday.
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