Landeskog, Avalanche top Canadiens in OT, push home winning streak to 15

The Colorado Avalanche extended their home winning streak to 15 games with a 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday.

Gabriel Landeskog scored at 1:16 of overtime for Colorado (28-8-3), which has won six straight and has a 12-game point streak. Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves.
The Avalanche are 11-0-1 in January and 16-1-1 in their past 18 games.
"[Kuemper] stole one in L.A. for us (a 4-1 win at the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday), you can argue he stole this one for us," Landeskog said.
Nick Suzuki had a goal and an assist for Montreal (8-25-7), which has lost eight of nine (1-5-3).
Cayden Primeau made 43 saves after he was pulled allowing four goals on 16 shots in two periods of a 5-2 loss at the Arizona Coyotes on Monday.
"He was very solid, he was very good," Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme said. "I was happy with the way he tackled the game. He was solid for 60 minutes and did a good job of preparing for his game and he was ready. And we're happy to see a young goalie like that facing one of the best teams in the NHL showing character and playing a good game."

Colorado tied the 2016-17 Washington Capitals for the second-longest home winning streak in the past 25 years. The Detroit Red Wings set the NHL record of 23 consecutive home wins in 2011-12.
"That part's good," Landeskog said. "Tonight definitely wasn't pretty, it wasn't anywhere near our best, but it is a strength to be able to find a way to win those hockey games no matter where you are in the standings and where the other team is in the standings. There are no easy games. Absolutely, big to win another one at home."
Suzuki tied it at 2-2 when he scored on a power play at 8:06 of the third period.
A Colorado goal by Nazem Kadri at 4:10 of the third was overturned after video review confirmed Montreal's challenge for offside.
Alex Newhook one-timed a pass from Samuel Girard on a power play to give Colorado a 1-0 lead at 8:20 of the first. The Avalanche had 23 shots in the period.
"That helps you get into the game early when you're seeing a bunch of shots," Primeau said. "And credit to the guys. I know it's cliche, but they blocked a bunch and put their bodies on the line. So, yeah, they could have had even more shots, but the guys definitely helped out."
Valeri Nichushkin, who missed three games in NHL COVID-19 protocol, increased the lead to 2-0 at 8:57 of the second period. Girard carried the puck behind the net before passing out front to Nichushkin, who scored the Avalanche's second straight power-play goal.
"When the first unit doesn't score, that's when I like to create something," Girard said. "'Val' was in a good position in front of the net and it was a nice play by him. He went five-hole. That's our job, to give momentum to the team or score as well."

Artturi Lehkonen got Montreal within 2-1 at 18:17 when he shot under Kuemper's left pad from the right side off a 2-on-1 pass from Suzuki.
"It was very similar to the last two or three we've played, definitely not our best stuff," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "Lot of areas of our game in the last four that could be much better, rather be learning lessons while we're still winning. I think our guys are still open to the fact that we know we can be better. We have a higher standard set for our game."
NOTES: The Avalanche are the eighth NHL team to win at least 15 consecutive home games. … Montreal has a point in three consecutive games (1-0-2) for the first time since Nov. 9-13. … Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin did not play because of an upper-body injury. He was placed on injured reserve and returned to Montreal for further evaluation. … Kuemper has won 10 straight at home, matching the longest streak in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history (Jonathan Bernier in 2016-17).