Theodore's Shutout Gives Avs Crucial Win

[March 25, 2008]  DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Avalanche snapped a four-game losing streak with a crucial 2-0 win over Calgary on Monday night behind Jordan Leopold's first goal in 2 1/2 months and Jose Theodore's third shutout of the season.

The skid had sent the Avs from first place in the Northwest Division to clinging onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. With the win, they moved into a tie for seventh with Vancouver, four points ahead of Nashville in ninth place.

They were hoping for a boost from the home crowd at the Pepsi Center, where they're 24-12-2, and they got it, improving to 10-3-0 against divisional opponents on home ice.

Theodore had 23 saves, including one on the power play in the final minute.

Colorado, which plays three of its final five games at home, where they've won six of their past seven, endured a scoreless first period for the fifth straight game, then went ahead 1-0 on Leopold's fourth goal of the season, on the power play at 6:36.

Leopold scored from the slot after the puck had been passed six times, the last by Peter Forsberg, who returned to action after sitting out a game with a pulled groin and skated on the third line. It was Leopold's first goal since Jan. 5 against the New York Islanders, a span of 28 games.

Wojtek Wolski had the pass to Forsberg, and his assist gave him 100 career points.

With 7:41 left in the third period, the Avs scored an insurance goal when Milan Hejduk scored on an assist by Paul Stastny and Ryan Smyth, who collected his 600th career point.

Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 22 of 24 shots, but he was replaced by Curtis Joseph after allowing Hejduk's 24th goal of the season.

The Flames pulled their goalie with a minute remaining, and had a power play when Kurt Sauer was whistled for hooking. But they were unable to score.

This was the 26th career shutout for Theodore (24-21-2), whose goals-against average of just less than 2.20 since January is third-best in the NHL.

The Avalanche won five of the eight games between the teams this season but only won 10-9 on points.

Notes: Avs captain Joe Sakic's game-worn gloves from Saturday night's game in Edmonton, where he became the 11th player in league history to record 1,000 career assists, are headed to the Hall of Fame. ... The Flames were 0-for-5 on the power play with just four shots.

[Associated Press; By ARNIE STAPLETON]

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