GLENDALE, Ariz., April 27 (UPI) -- Matt Duchene and P.A. Parenteau scored in the first two rounds of the shootout Friday to give the Colorado Avalanche a 5-4 victory over Phoenix.
In a meeting of teams that will miss the playoffs, Colorado overcame an early two-goal deficit and twice let a one-goal lead slip away.
Colorado will finish with the worst record in the Western Conference and the second-worst in the NHL behind Florida. The Avalanche, however, still have a say in which team grabs the final playoff spot in the West because they will host Minnesota Saturday -- and the Wild will need a win to ensure a trip to the post-season.
David Schlemko and Antoine Vermette gave Phoenix a 2-0 lead in the first period, but it took a power-play goal from Vermette 5:56 deep in the third period to forge a 4-4 tie.
Parenteau scored one of three consecutive Colorado goals in a span of 4 minutes late in the first period to get the Avalanche back in the game.
Semyon Varlamov, who replaced Jean-Sebastien Giguere in goal for Colorado, picked up the win by stopping the two shots he faced in the shootout.
Mike Smith gave up the two shootout goals for the Coyotes.
