Final
Avalanche bury slumping Blue Jackets
Jan 25, 2013 - 5:24 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Matt Duchene registered two goals and set up another to back Semyon Varlamov's ninth career shutout, as the Colorado Avalanche downed the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-0, at Pepsi Center.Free-agent acquisitions PA Parenteau and John Mitchell also scored for the Avalanche, who got a measure of revenge against a club that contributed to them missing the postseason last year.
Colorado suffered a pair of late-season home losses to the league-worst Blue Jackets and wound up finishing 11th in the Western Conference, seven points out of a playoff spot.
Varlamov ended with 33 saves.
Sergei Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 28 shots for Columbus, which has lost three in a row. The Blue Jackets were 0-for-6 on the power play.
"We have to go out and get those tough goals," said Columbus forward Brandon Dubinsky.
Duchene fed Parenteau for a successful one-timer 51 seconds into the game.
Moments later, Mitchell was struck in the face with the puck but returned to score in the third period.
"I knew I was okay when I could see out of both my eyes," Mitchell said. "It was great to come back after getting stitched up. The goal was a bonus."
His score was sandwiched by two Duchene tallies.
The 2009 No. 3 overall pick, Duchene, pounced on a rebound in the slot with 7:35 remaining in the opening frame.
Mitchell lit the lamp 4:38 into the third, streaking down the right wing and stickhandling around a Columbus defenseman before putting the puck behind Bobrovsky.
Duchene sped through the neutral zone, split two defensemen and slid the puck past Bobrovsky with 1:18 remaining.
Game Notes
Milan Hejduk had two assists for the Avalanche ... Colorado has now killed off 16 consecutive opponent power plays.
- COLUMBUS: 0
COLORADO: 4
Final
Jan 24 11:35 PM - Colorado Goal - Matt Duchene (2), from P.A. Parenteau at 18:41.
Blue Jackets 0, Avalanche 4 3rd - 1:19Jan 24 11:33 PM - COLUMBUS: 0
COLORADO: 2
End of 2nd
Jan 24 10:44 PM - COLUMBUS: 0
COLORADO: 2
End of 1st
Jan 24 9:50 PM - Colorado Goal - Matt Duchene, from Milan Hejduk at 12:25.
Blue Jackets 0, Avalanche 2 1st - 7:35Jan 24 9:36 PM - Colorado Goal - P.A. Parenteau (2), from Matt Duchene and Jan Hejda at :50.
Blue Jackets 0, Avalanche 1 1st - 19:10Jan 24 9:11 PM - COLUMBUS: 0
COLORADO: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Jan 24 9:11 PM
Related News
- Avalanche Prospects Mailbag: Panning for Gold Dec 26
- Recap: Avalanche dominate in much-needed get-right game against Arizona Dec 23
- Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Arizona Coyotes (7:00 p.m.) Dec 23
- Preview: Avalanche square off against Coyotes Dec 23
- Weekly Grades: MacKinnon Nichushkin Domination Edition Dec 22
- Recap: Nathan MacKinnon career night strikes down Sens Dec 22
- Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Ottawa Senators (7 p.m.) Dec 21
- Preview: A fight through the darkness Dec 21
- Why Devon Toews’ comments will fuel the Avalanche Dec 20
- Recap: Avs get Mrazek’d in Chicago Dec 20
- Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6:30 p.m.) Dec 19
- Preview: Avalanche in the Windy City Dec 19