DENVER (AP) — Colorado Avalanche goaltender Trent Miner was standing near his net after the final horn when defenseman Ilya Solovyov greeted him with a big embrace.
Those two had plenty to celebrate.
For Solovyov, it was scoring his first NHL goal as the Avalanche beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 on Saturday.
For Miner, it was picking up his first NHL shutout and win. He became the second goaltender in Quebec/Colorado history to blank an opponent in his first win, joining Mario Gosselin who accomplished the feat in 1984.
“Looked sharp,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said as Miner helped the Avalanche run their home winning streak to 17 straight games. “I'm really happy for him.
"Solovyov gets his first NHL goal. We got contributions from a bunch of different guys.”
Both players followed winding paths to reach their big career moment.
Miner, a seventh-round draft pick by Colorado in 2019, spent time in the minor leagues as he waited for his opportunity. He was recently called up from the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League and told to be ready, just in case.
Colorado gave Scott Wedgewood a day off Saturday and with Mackenzie Blackwood sidelined by a lower-body injury, it was Miner's net. He finished with 29 saves.
“In all honesty, I’m just glad that we were able to get the win,” said Miner, who appeared in two games last season for Colorado and three this year. “For sure, it’s exciting to get my first win, but I think for us to get another win at home is just as exciting.”
Miner said he wasn't thinking about the shutout, either, even as the seconds ticked off the clock.
“I try not to think like that,” said Miner, who's 7-2-0 with a 2.40 goals-against average in 10 games for the Eagles this season. “To get the win was amazing.”
He gave credit to Wedgewood and Blackwood, who've treated the 24-year-old Miner like a kid brother.
“They pick on me. I pick on them. So it’s been a great opportunity to work with both of them,” Miner said. "I'm very fortunate.”
The 25-year-old Solovyov was claimed off waivers from Calgary in October. He played early for the Avalanche and then didn't play for a long stretch. He also was loaned to the Eagles for a conditioning assignment in December.
Now, he's on a three-game point streak that includes his first goal. He celebrated that score by jumping into the arms of fellow defenseman Brent Burns.
“These two months, I (had) a lot of time, a lot of games, to look at the team, how the guys (play) here, what they want to do on the ice,” said Solovyov, a seventh-round pick by Calgary in 2020. "I try to learn and be in the right moment and right position.”
Solovyov said it's helped having his family with him in Colorado.
“They (finally) have a chance to look at me, how I play,” Solovyov said. "So they probably are happier more than me, honestly.
"Maybe tonight, we will (go) somewhere and celebrate it. First goal, why not?”
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov, right, checks Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ilya Solovyov in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Trent Miner makes a glove save in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson, right, loses control of the puck while trying to shoot against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Trent Miner, left, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds to lift the Los Angeles Rams to a dramatic 34-31 wild-card round win over the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.
Stafford finished 24 of 42 for 304 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception, while Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 111 yards and two total touchdowns as the Rams (13-5), who were 10 1/2-point favorites, advanced to the divisional playoffs.
Bryce Young threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score for Carolina (8-10), which finished the season losing four of its final five games. Jalen Coker had career highs with nine receptions for 134 yards with a touchdown and Chuba Hubbard ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns.
The Panthers fell behind 14-0 early, but stormed back to take a 24-20 lead on Hubbard's second touchdown of the run game early in the fourth quarter.
Stafford, who was selected as an All-Pro earlier in the day, led the Rams back down on the field and found Kyren Williams for a 13-yard touchdown strike over the middle for a 27-24 lead.
Los Angeles appeared to be in charge after getting a stop on defense giving Stafford the ball back.
But a holding penalty put the Rams behind the sticks and forced a punt, which Isaiah Simmons blocked to set the Panthers up the Rams 30.
Four plays later, Young found Coker in the left corner of the end zone for a 7-yard scoring strike to give Carolina a 31-27 lead 2:39 left, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
But Stafford quickly moved the Rams 71 yards in seven plays with Panthers two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn on the sideline with a concussion, finishing it off with a perfectly placed pass to Parkinson near the right side of the goal line. Parkinson, who had two TDs last week, forced his way into the end zone for the score.
“Yeah, total team effort," Stafford said. “Obviously had some mistakes along the way. I turned it over, we had a punt blocked, didn’t score before the half when we probably should have. So, a lot to clean up, but found a way to win it late. I believe in my teammates, I know they believe in me.”
It was nearly the second time this season the Rams lost to the Panthers as a 10 1/2-point underdog. Carolina won 31-28 on Nov. 30.
Carolina's last attempt to move into field-goal range ended when Jimmy Horn dropped a fourth down pass from Young.
Carolina was hoping the return of former quarterback Cam Newton to Bank of America Stadium to hit the “Keep Pounding” drum before the game would give the Panthers a little extra mojo early, but things didn't start well.
After the Rams defense came up with a stop on fourth down at midfield on Carolina's opening drive, Stafford quickly moved the offense downfield and found Nacua for a 14-yard touchdown pass over the middle for a 7-0 lead.
Nacua made it 14-0 on a 5-yard run following Young's interception.
Carolina cut the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Young, the second-longest TD run of his career.
The Rams had a chance to build on the lead, but Nacau dropped a potential third TD on a pass down the right sideline from Stafford just before halftime.
Stafford surpassed Kurt Warner for the most postseason passing yards and completions in Rams history.
Rams: advance to the divisional round.
Panthers: season over.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) makes a touchdown catch past Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott (21) during the first half of an NFL Wild Card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, center left, celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson (84) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
