The Avalanche on Monday defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second time in eight days, this time 4-2 at the Pepsi Center.
THREE STARS
- Tyson Barrie. Defenseman had two goals and a team-high five shots for the Avalanche.
- J.T. Compher. Colorado rookie forward had the game-winning goal and his line combined for 12 shots.
- Sven Andrighetto. Two assists for the Avs’ hard-working Swiss winger.
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov had two shots squeeze through him, the first of which dribbled into the net for Pittsburgh’s first goal and the second one stopping on the goal line. Varlamov was seen after the game walking out of the Pepsi Center’s X-ray room.
NEXT UP
At Los Angeles, Thursday, 8:30 p.m. MT
Tyson Barrie scores twice as Colorado Avalanche sweeps Pittsburgh Penguins https://t.co/hiANr7BSlv
by @MikeChambers #Avs— Denver Post – Avs (@avsnews) December 19, 2017
Seven takeaways:
By committee. The Avs made up for the loss of suspended defenseman Erik Johnson, who leads the team with more than 25 minutes of ice time, with Patrik Nemeth (24:34), Mark Barberio (19:46) and Nikita Zadorov (19:20). Barrie played an expected 24:31. Rookie D Anton Lindholm and Sam Girard logged 14:33 and 13:32, respectively.
Comparison. The Avs are now 16-15-2 (34 points). Pittsburgh, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion, dropped to 17-15-3 (37 points). Colorado has played two fewer games than the Penguins.
Fine line. Compher’s line with wingers Andrighetto and Colin Wilson were terrific the entire game. Andrighetto would have scored on a back-hand bid from the doorstep if it weren’t for a spectacular kick save by Matt Murray, and Compher had a disallowed goal because of Andrighetto’s goaltender interference. The line combined for 12 shots, each player producing four. You can bet this newly formed line will remain intact for a while.
Leaky. Varlamov stoned Phil Kessel on a first-period breakaway bid and made some terrific saves in the third. But it seemed like he was often more lucky than good in his 30-save win. The two pucks that trickled past him suggests he wasn’t as mentally sharp as he probably should be.
Snapped. The Penguins’ penalty killing units were a perfect 23-of-23 in the previous eight games. So that means Tyson Barrie is the first player to score a power-play goal against Pittsburgh in nine games. Barrie’s PPG came 5:56 into the second period and gave the Avs a 2-1 lead.
Barrie good. Barrie matched a career high with two goals, the fifth time he has scored twice in his career. Barrie’s 27 points on the season is tied for first among NHL blue-liners with Dallas’ John Klingberg.
On the PK. The Avs were 3-of-3 in penalty killing and extended their streak to a season-high 16 consecutive kills. Colorado is now an impressive 50-for-54 on the PK at home (92.6 percent).
#Avs coach Jared Bednar after beating Pittsburgh on consecutive Mondays, this time 4-2 in Denver https://t.co/0i5jTRQcFN
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) December 19, 2017