Nine straight victories. The Avalanche extended its winning ways to nine games Saturday with a 3-1 triumph against the New York Rangers at sold-out Pepsi Center.
The game story is here. The notebook, leading with Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon, includes all kinds of interesting stats. And my Sunday column on Carl Soderberg‘s line looks at the overlooked trio when the season began.
THREE STARS
- Erik Johnson. Avs defenseman had a goal and an assist in logging a game-high 27:41.
- Jonathan Bernier. Wasn’t tested as much as previous game against San Jose but was again very solid in net for Colorado.
- Nathan MacKinnon. Had the game-winning goal and an assists for his 18th multiple-point game of the season.
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Johnson, MacKinnon and forwards Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen were each plus-3. The Avs’ best skaters got it done.
NEXT UP
At Toronto, Monday
Jared Bednar after #Avs beat Rangers https://t.co/1MsyiZmmyX
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) January 20, 2018
FIVE TAKEAWAYS
Decision looming. Bernier has allowed just 11 goals in his eight-game win streak. What happens when Semyon Varlamov returns? Coach Jared Bednar said Varlamov isn’t a candidate to play Monday at Toronto or Tuesday at Montreal. I suspect Varlamov’s next start won’t be until after Bernier loses a game.
Great Nate. Please read that lead note in the notebook. Indeed, the Avs’ top center is Hart Trophy-worthy.
The only glitch. The Avs were a dreadful 37 percent in faceoffs, winning just 19-of-51 draws to remain last in the league at 44.6 percent on the season. So how important is this statistic? Tampa Bay is considered the NHL’s best team but is second-to-last in faceoff percentage at 46.9 percent.
Injuries. The Rangers were missing forwards Chris Kreider (blood clot) and Kevin Hayes (contusion) and defensemen Marc Staal (hip) and Kevin Shattenkirk (knee). Some people will say New York was shorthanded. But you must consider, the Avs were without defenseman Tyson Barrie (hand), forward Sven Andrighetto (leg) and goalie Varlamov (groin). When you lose, folks search for excuses. When you’re winning, the guys you’re not playing with aren’t in the conversation.
Footnotes. Colorado now plays 13-of-16 games outside Denver. … Former Avs defenseman Nick Holden started for the Rangers and logged 23:25, second most on the team. Holden was a healthy scratch when Colorado played New York in Manhattan on opening night Oct. 5 but has played in 42 of 46 since. … Avs forward Colin Wilson, who has four goals and 12 points in 35 games, was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Wilson, 28, is the fourth highest-paid Avalanche forward with a $4 million salary. He is under contract through next season.
Erik Johnson and Mark Barberio … nine straight #Avs pic.twitter.com/MpB5X11GEd
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) January 20, 2018
