Cale Makar scored a power-play goal and an assist, Parker Kelly scored while shorthanded and the Colorado Avalanche used special teams to earn a 4-2 victory over the Ducks on Friday night.

Nathan MacKinnon had an unanswered goal and two assists, Valeri Nichushkin also scored and the Avalanche picked up where they left off after scoring two power-play goals in a 4-2 win at San Jose on Thursday night. Scott Wedgewood made 29 saves.

Kelly tied the score at 1-1 in the second with a two-on-one shorthanded attack, and Nichushkin gave Colorado the lead midway through the quarter. Makar made it 3-1 with a wrist shot early in the third period, scoring his fifth power play goal and 18th point with the man advantage.

Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn scored for the Ducks. John Gibson made 19 saves, including a Samuel Girard penalty with 5:24 left in the third period, but lost for the fifth time in six starts.

Takeaways

Avalanche: The decision to overhaul goaltending has paid off so far: Colorado has won six of nine games with Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood starting in net.

Ducks: Jacob Trouba scored his first point as a Duck since arriving from the New York Rangers on Dec. 6 when Carlsson redirected the veteran defenseman’s shot early in the second period.

Key moment: Makar’s shot is too good to allow time and space on the power play, and he punished the Ducks’ excessive pursuit on the penalty kill at 3:30 of the third minute.

Key Stats: MacKinnon became the first player in the NHL to surpass the 40-assist mark this season, recording the second assist on Nichushkin’s goal and the primary on Makar’s goal.

Next: Avalanche host Seattle and the Ducks visit Utah on Sunday.