|
 Semyon Varlamov backed up that claim with another stellar
performance in net.
Varlamov made 40 saves for his first shutout of the season, center
Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals, and the Avalanche beat the New
York Islanders 5-0 on Thursday night.
Right winger Cody McLeod and defenseman Erik Johnson each had a goal
and an assist. Center Marc-Andre Cliche had the other tally for
Colorado.
Goaltender Chad Johnson stopped 18 shots for New York. The
Islanders, one of the surprise teams to start the season, lost for
the fourth time in six games.
Varlamov recorded 49 saves in a shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks
on Tuesday and continued that hot play. He kept the Islanders off
the scoreboard despite six power-play chances.
"He made big saves," Roy said. "He's one of the best if not the best
in the game right now. We have a lot of confidence in him."
Varlamov has played well since coming off injured reserve with a
groin strain. He was 1-0-2 in his last three starts despite stopping
103 of 108 shots.
Last season, Varlamov lost a few shutouts in the waning moments
before blanking St. Louis on April 5. It was his only shutout of the
season, so getting one early helps after missing some time.
"I had a rough start and right now it's very important for me to get
my confidence back," he said. "I remember (last season). It's really
frustrating when you almost have a shutout and then the team scores
at the end of the game. It's frustration for sure.
Johnson was disappointed in his play.
"I've got to make some saves," he said. "I can't allow five goals on
20-some shots. I'm letting too many goals in the last three games.
I've got to be better."
Center Matt Duchene, who had two assists, helped get things going
when he backhanded the puck to the front of the net and McLeod
wristed it past Johnson 2:34 into the game. It was McLeod's first
goal of the season.
New York's defense kept Colorado's offense in check for the rest of
the period, but the Avalanche broke it open in the second.
MacKinnon made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 3:25 of the second
period. MacKinnon, the Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year
last season, was scuffling and pressing for his first one and
finally got it when he stick-handled near the net until Johnson
committed. MacKinnon put a snap shot into the top right corner.
"I had a lot of time on the first one," MacKinnon said. "I didn't
expect to have that much time in front of the net. I figured it
would come sooner or later, obviously a little later than I wanted
but it's all in the past now."
[to top of second column] |
Cliche made it 3-0 when he held the puck to the right of the goal
and then banked his shot off Johnson's right side at 8:59 of the
second period. MacKinnon scored his second goal 1:15 later, a tip-in
of right winger Jarome Iginla's pass to the front of the net.
"The second one, I didn't even yell for the puck," MacKinnon said.
"He saw me, thankfully, put it on my stick and I didn't really have
to do anything."
Varlamov was sharp in the second period, stopping 17 shots, with
many coming on three power plays by New York.
"He was good. He's an elite goalie in our league," New York center
John Tavares said. "He definitely didn't give us too many rebounds
or second opportunities. Probably could've made it tougher on him.
It's obviously a frustrating loss."
The Islanders had their chances but were victims of bad bounces. One
puck was cleared in the air before it crossed the goal line and
center John Tavares hit a crossbar on a power play just before the
first period horn sounded.
"Big part of the game," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. "Couldn't
capitalize."
NOTES: Colorado recalled RW Dennis Everberg from Lake Erie of the
AHL. He was in the lineup while RW Daniel Briere was a healthy
scratch. Briere has two goals and three points in 10 games. ...
Islanders RW Kyle Okposo played in his 400th career game. ...
Avalanche D Nate Guenin was back in the lineup and D Zach Redmond
was a healthy scratch. ... New York has now played three games of
eight straight against Western Conference teams. ... Avalanche C
Jesse Winchester (head) was downgraded to non-contact drills in
practice. Winchester started the week without restrictions but has
regressed. "He has good days and bad days," Colorado coach Patrick
Roy said.
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