Third time was the charm for Gabriel Landeskog.

After having two goals taken off the board earlier in the season, Gabriel Landeskog finally broke through, beating Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal off a rebound in the second period. This one counted, and ultimately mattered a lot, as it gave the Avalanche a lead they never relinquished on their way to a 4-1 win Tuesday night.

Those two disallowed goals came off pretty nice shots. This goal, though? This one was classic Landeskog. After Valeri Nichushkin’s original shot was stopped, Landeskog outmuscled Jackson LaCombe in front to bat home the rebound for his first regular-seasongoal since March 5, 2022.

And it certainly felt good, although he paused before truly celebrating.

“I did. Maybe my stick caught the goalies stick or something, goaltender interference, you never know,” Landeskog joked. “Got back to the bench and there was nothing to argue, so felt good. No doubt.”

Landeskog’s goal drought has been on the minds of fans and pundits. It’s also been on the mind of the captain, who is happy he can move forward.

“It was nice to move on,” he said. “I think it was my second-longest goal drought of my career, so it was nice to just be done with it. Had a decent amount of looks and some bounces that don’t go your way, and that’s the way the game works.”

The Avalanche and Ducks entered the game as the two best teams in the Western Conference, and while Anaheim had their chances, Colorado held the Ducks to just one goal. That’s something none of the Ducks opponents have been able to do in almost a month.

Colorado isn’t playing perfect hockey, but it’s getting just enough every night to get the job done. That’s the sign of a very good team.

“I think it’s good commitment to defend the right way,” head coach Jared Bednar said after the game. “Offense has been rolling. Honestly, I think it’s a little bit of everything. Trying to become as well rounded as we can be.”

While the team has the depth and goaltending to win games every night, the superstars are leading the way. Nathan MacKinnon added three more assists to extend his lead atop the NHL scoring race, and Cale Makar picked up another assist.

That’s nothing new, though.

“Them playing well … they’ve been playing well since I’ve been here,” Bednar joked after the game.

Avalanche 4, Ducks 1

What happened: Scott Wedgewood and the Avalanche slowed down the red-hot Anaheim Ducks to extend their lead in the Western Conference.

What went right: Colorado’s fourth line turned the momentum for the team, consistently pinning Anaheim in its own end. Although he didn’t end up on the scoresheet, this could have been Zakhar Bardakov’s best NHL game to date.

What went wrong: Valeri Nichushkin left the game early in the third period and never returned. He was hit by multiple shots during the game and looked uncomfortable each time. After the game, Bednar had no update on him and called it a lower-body injury.

Avalanche goal scorers: Lehkonen (7), Landeskog (1), Necas (10), Kelly (5)

Ducks goal scorers: Carlsson (11)

Between the pipes: Another big night for Scott Wedgewood who stopped 35 of 36 shots.

What’s next: The Avalanche will stay at home and host the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. Thursday.