Avalanche 4, Rangers 3 (SO)
Alex Tanguay scored his team-leading seventh goal before converting in the third round of the shootout as visiting Colorado rebounded from a lopsided loss to record just its second win in seven games (2-4-1).
After hitting the post late in overtime, Tanguay skated in and deked Henrik Lundqvist to the ice before wiring a shot under the crossbar. Lee Stempniak had a chance to answer, but Semyon Varlamov closed his pads to end the contest.
Matt Duchene collected a goal and an assist while Nathan MacKinnon scored on the power play for the Avalanche, who bounced back from a listless 6-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday to post their 12th victory in 15 meetings with the Rangers. Defenseman Tyson Barrie notched two assists and Varlamov turned aside 30 shots to snap a four-game winless streak (0-3-1).
Derek Stepan and defenseman Dan Girardi scored their respective first goals of the season late in the second period for the Rangers, who have dropped five of their last seven (2-2-3). Rookie Kevin Hayes also tallied to extend his point streak to three games and Lundqvist made 26 saves.
With the Rangers trailing 2-1, Stepan kept the puck on a 2-on-1 rush before beating Varlamov at 15:19 of the second period and Mats Zuccarello's centering feed was redirected home by Girardi with 2:58 remaining in the session. MacKinnon's shot from the left faceoff circle caromed off Girardi's stick and skidded between the pads of Lundqvist at 7:54 of the third to tie it.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Rangers D Dan Boyle registered three shots on goal in his return from a broken hand that kept him sidelined since the season opener against St. Louis on Oct. 9. ... Colorado C Daniel Briere returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in the previous seven contests. ... Rangers LW Carl Hagelin logged 12:42 of ice time while playing in his 200th career game.