Ducks shut down by backup Johansson

Jonas Johansson made 28 saves in his first career shutout, and Valeri Nichushkin scored in the Colorado Avalanche’s 2-0 victory over the Ducks on Friday night.

Mikko Rantanen added an empty-net goal in the final minute as the West Division-leading Avalanche bounced back from an 8-3 loss Wednesday to Minnesota, one that ended their streak of earning a point in 15 consecutive games.

Nathan MacKinnon extended his points streak to eight games with an assist on Rantanen’s late goal, which was Rantanen’s seventh in seven games against the Ducks this season.

Johansson made his case to be Philipp Grubauer’s backup in a strong performance against the last-place Ducks. The Avalanche are in the trade market for a backup goalie for the playoff run, but the 6-foot-5 Johansson has given up only three goals in his last three appearances for the Avalanche, who acquired him March 20 from Buffalo.

John Gibson stopped 33 shots for Anaheim, which has lost 11 of 15.

Gibson and the Ducks held the NHL’s highest-scoring team to just one evenstrength goal while largely shutting down MacKinnon’s potent line, but low-scoring Anaheim was shut out for only the second time this season.

Nichushkin put Colorado on the board with his quick shot from the slot late in the second period, converting a one-timer to Gibson’s short side on a slick pass from Ryan Graves.

Four of Nichushkin’s nine goals this season have come in the Avalanche’s last five games against Anaheim, including his previous goal March 29 in Denver.

Colorado had won five straight and earned points in 15 consecutive games before its loss at Minnesota. The Avalanche rebounded from their first regulation loss since March 8 with their fifth win in seven meetings with Anaheim this season.

La Mirada’s Chase De Leo suited up for Anaheim for the first time this season, playing in his fifth NHL game.

Avalanche forward Jacob MacDonald sat out to begin a two-game suspension.