Larsson scores, Raanta enters late as Coyotes beat Avs 3-2

Johan Larsson tipped in the go-ahead goal with 15:54 remaining, Antti Raanta stopped all 16 shots after taking over early in the third period when Darcy Kuemper left with an apparent injury and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Monday night.

Larsson scored with one hand on his stick and the other holding off a defenseman in front of the goal as Arizona recovered after blowing a two-goal lead.

Derick Brassard and Jakob Chychrun also had goals for the Coyotes, who started a seven-game trip on the right note. Clayton Keller and Oliver Ekman-Larsson each added two assists.

Colorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky, center, jumps as the puck sails into Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper and Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers fights for position in front of the net in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 8, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Early in the third, Kuemper dropped down on one knee with the puck going the other way and asked the official to stop play. The trainer momentarily checked on the starting goaltender before he skated off and was replaced by Raanta.

Soon after Larsson’s goal, Raanta turned back Matt Calvert's shot on a breakaway. Raanta also helped the Coyotes weather a high-sticking penalty with 2:14 remaining.

Mikko Rantanen snapped his stick in frustration after his shot at the buzzer was blocked.

Colorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky, left, fights for control of the puck with Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 8, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Kuemper had 17 saves before leaving.

Colorado trailed 2-0 midway through the second period before getting goals from Valeri Nichushkin and Andre Burakovsky.

The teams play again Wednesday. The Avalanche swept a back-to-back in Arizona late last month.

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper prepares for play to resume after a timeout in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, March 8, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Philipp Grubauer finished with 11 saves.

The Avalanche dropped to 1-1-1 on their nine-game homestand, the longest continuous homestand in franchise history.

Down two goals in the second, Nichushkin ignited Colorado's comeback with a goal in front of the net. Burakovsky tied the contest 5:21 later on a power play.

Arizona Coyotes center Derick Brassard, front, is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 8, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Brassard, a former Avalanche player, got things started for Arizona with a power-play goal early in the first period. Chychrun added another on a shot from the blue line to make it 2-0.

Keller assisted on both first-period goals in extending his points streak to five games. He's got three goals and four assists over the stretch.

Nathan MacKinnon missed a third straight game after taking a big hit last week in San Jose. He’s nearing a return, coach Jared Bednar said, and skated in a non-contact jersey Monday morning.

Arizona Coyotes center Tyler Pitlick, right, reacts as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Dan Renouf tries to clear him from in front of the net in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 8, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

“Just knowing Mac from the last few years, when he gets to this point he’s chomping at the bit and ready to go,” Bednar said.

INJURY UPDATE

The Avalanche had a player return from injury at the same time as losing another. Simply the way the season has gone so far.

Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak, bottom right, is knocked over while driving to the net by Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, top right, as Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer follows the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 8, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Calvert returned to the lineup Monday after missing six games with an upper-body injury. This was on the heels of defenseman Conor Timmins ruled out with an upper-body ailment.

The Avalanche remain without forward J.T. Compher (upper body); defensemen Dennis Gilbert (COVID-19 protocol list/facial surgery), Bowen Byram (upper body), Cale Makar (upper body) and Erik Johnson (upper body); and goaltender Pavel Francouz (lower body).

“There's going to be bumps and bruises," Calvert said. “Guys are playing through a lot in that room, even the ones that are in the lineup.”

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, front, reaches out for the puck as Arizona Coyotes left wing Johan Larsson pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 8, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

HITTIN’ THE ROAD

The Coyotes are starting a stint of playing 16 of their next 20 away from home.

“Everybody knows the situation and how big the road trip is for us,” Ekman-Larsson said. “At the same time, we can’t look too far away."

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