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Colorado Avalanche Decade in Review: 20 Memorable Moments

By Nadia Archuleta

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 30: Joonas Donskoi #72 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers with his bench at the Pepsi Center on October 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Panthers defeated the Avalanche 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 30: Joonas Donskoi #72 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers with his bench at the Pepsi Center on October 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Panthers defeated the Avalanche 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, CANADA – APRIL 6: Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with teammate Paul Stastny #26 after scoring in the shootout during their game against the Vancouver Canucks at General Motors Place on April 6, 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Colorado won 4-3 in a shootout and clinched a playoff spot. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Memorable Moment: Matt Duchene Shootout Goal Clinches Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche had missed the playoffs for the first time since moving to Colorado in 2006-07. They missed it again in 2008-09, by a long mark. Which is why they were able to draft Matt Duchene at third overall.

And Duchene paid them back right away, his first season with Colorado. In his rookie year, he recorded 55 points (24 goals, 31 assists). And though this memorable moment isn’t reflected in his points totals, it’s special just the same.

On April 6, 2010, the Avs were playing the Vancouver Canucks. They had 91 points, and they were sniffing around a playoff spot. Well, at the end or regulation the game was tied, and it remained tied through the overtime.

The game went to the shootout, and Matt Duchene made the game-winning shootout goal:

That win clinched a playoff berth for the Avalanche. So, as a rookie, Duchene got the Avs back into the playoffs.

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