Granlund, Gauthier score in shootout as Ducks beat Avalanche 2-1

DENVER (AP) — Mikael Granlund and Cutter Gauthier scored in the shootout and Lukas Dostal stopped 40 shots as Anaheim defeated the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche for the Ducks' fifth straight win Wednesday night.

Jeffrey Viel scored in his second straight game as the Ducks opened a six-game road trip.

Artturi Lehkonen scored for Colorado, and Scott Wedgewood made 16 saves.

Alex Killorn played in his 1,000th career NHL game. He spent 11 years with Tampa Bay, winning the Stanley Cup twice, before signing with Anaheim as a free agent in 2023.

Colorado forward Valeri Nichushkin returned after missing Monday night's win over the Washington Capitals. He was involved in a car accident on his way to the rink and was held out as a precaution.

The Avalanche played without Gabriel Landeskog (upper body), defenseman Devon Toews (upper) and forward Joel Kiviranta (lower body). Forward Logan O’Connor has yet to play this season as he recovers from offseason hip surgery.

Ducks visit Seattle on Friday.

Avalanche wrap up a seven-game homestand against Philadelphia on Friday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn, left, battles for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood makes a stick save of a shot from the Anaheim Ducks in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, back, stops a shot from Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier, left, congratulates left wing Jeffrey Viel after his goal agaist the Colorado Avalanche in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal celebrates after a shootout victory over the Colorado Avalanche in an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers says Kevin Porter Jr. is "not going to play anytime soon” from an oblique strain that made him unavailable for a 122-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

Rivers didn't specify a potential return date for Porter.

“He's not going to play anytime soon, I can tell you that, but we don't know how long he'll be out,” Rivers said at his pregame availability.

Rivers said he believes the injury happened “three or four games ago.”

“He was playing through it,” Rivers said. “You could see him in the last two or three games grabbing it. They did an MRI yesterday, and it is what it is.”

The 25-year-old Porter has averaged 16.8 points, five rebounds and a team-high 7.4 assists over 28 games this season. He ranks second on the team in scoring.

The 6-foot-5 guard/forward had missed 19 games earlier this season due to ankle and knee injuries. He sprained his left ankle in the Bucks’ season opener, hurt his right knee while working his way back and ended up undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear.

Milwaukee also didn’t have Myles Turner available Wednesday due to a sprained left ankle. Rivers described Turner’s status as day to day.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr., third from left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson, left, center Zeke Nnaji and guard Jalen Pickett defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)