ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Matt Duchene scored the winning goal about halfway through the third period as the Colorado Avalanche kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

Duchene pulled in the puck after Corey Perry could not control it in the Avalanche zone and rocketed down the ice. Barely a step ahead of Sami Vatanen, Duchene beat John Gibson under the goalie’s left leg for his 21st of the season.

That goal keeps the Avalanche mathematically alive for another day, trailing the Los Angeles Kings by six points for the final berth with only four games remaining. The Avalanche play their final road game Saturday at the Kings.

Reto Berra overcame a shaky first period and made 35 saves for the Avalanche.