Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Ryan Getzlaf scored a goal and had two assists, and the Anaheim Ducks used a four-gal second period to roll over the reeling Colorado Avalanche, 6-2, at the Pepsi Center. Corey Perry and Saku Koivu each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who have won five of the last six games. Bobby Ryan, Brad Winchester and Dan Sexton each scored in the win, while Dan Ellis had 24 saves.
The Ducks upped their point total to 79, which is ninth-best in the Western Conference -- two points behind four teams. "Two points for us is huge," Getzlaf said. "Every night we know what we have at stake." Ryan O'Reilly and David Jones each scored for the Avalanche, who have spiraled out of control by losing 17 of their last 18 contests. Brian Elliott surrendered all six goals on 33 shots in the losing effort.
Colorado scored the lone goal of the first period with just 44 seconds left on O'Reilly's breakaway wrister. But the second period witnessed five goals -- four of which came in the first 5 1/2 minutes. Koivu's snap shot 34 seconds in knotted the game while Getzlaf's power-play goal put the Ducks up, 2-1. "They came out with a little more jump and we got on our heels," said Avs defenseman Ryan Wilson. "We did not stick to our game plan."
Jones knotted it up again nearly five minutes into the second period on a wrist shot from a Paul Stastny pass. However, Anaheim finished the period with two straight goals to go up 4-2. Perry finished the stanza's early flurry of goals and Sexton banged home a Brandon McMillan pass at the mid-point of the period. Anaheim built its lead midway through the third with Ryan's blast from the point that sailed past Elliott. Then the lead was pushed to 6-2 with 7:17 remaining in the game on Winchester's wrist shot at the left circle.
Milan Hejduk, who had a minus-three rating, left the game in the third with a shoulder injury. He did not return...Ellis is 5-1-0 against Colorado...The Ducks have won 10 of the last 11 games against the Avs...Colorado has allowed three or more goals in 21 of the last 22 games.
For more news and information on tonight's game, be sure to read Anaheim Calling.