Colorado Avalanche Come Away With A Shootout Win Over The New Jersey Devils, 2-1

Jan 16, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Ryan O

The Colorado Avalanche took the New Jersey Devils into overtime but neither team was able to score. The game had to be decided in a shootout as Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly came through for the Avalanche as they came away with the 2-1 win via shootout. The Colorado Avalanche improve to 30-12-5 on the season with 65 points.

Ryan O’Reilly continued his hot streak as the forward got the Avalanche on the board 8:55 into the first period, scoring his team-leading 18th goal of the season. Forwards Patrick Bordeleau and Brad Malone would pick up the points. Patrik Elias would return to the New Jersey Devils lineup and committed a tripping penalty just minutes later. The Avalanche however would not be able to capitalize as Devils goaltender Cory Schneider was solid in net.

The second period would consist mainly of penalties as Avalanche center Marc-Andre Cliche would get a two-minute minor for tripping. The penalty would be cut short however as Devils Eric Gelinas would be called for a tripping penalty of his own 1:25 later. The Avalanche would collect another penalty as Devils Andrei Loktionov would get called for slashing, but the Avs failed to produce a goal on two-straight power-plays.

We jump to the third period as the New Jersey Devils tie it up at one apiece as Reid Boucher‘s wrist-shot would put the pressure on, scoring his 2nd goal of the season. Andrei Loktionov and Jon Merrill would both get credit for the assists. Avs defenseman Ryan Wilson would be called for cross-checking earlier in the period but New Jersey would go 0-for-2 on the power-play setting up overtime. Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov made a spectacular save in overtime as Jaromir Jagr led a 2-on-1 rush that was stopped by a glove save to keep the game going.

The Avalanche and Devils would both fail to score in overtime as the game would have to be decided in a shootout. Matt Duchene would start it off for the Avs and put it right past Schneider for the goal. Patrik Elias was up for the Devils and goaltender Semyon Varlamov would stuff the veteran on a pad save, giving way for the rookie Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon would end up getting stuffed as well as Adam Henrique had a chance to even it out. Varly forced Henrique to shoot wide as Ryan O’Reilly had a chance to end the game and he did. The Avalanche would come away with the 2-1 win via shootout.

Three Stars:

3: Cory Schneider (NJ): 37-of-38 saves, .971% save percentage.
2: Ryan O’Reilly (COL): One goal, 4 shots, +1.
1: Semyon Varlamov (COL): 33-of-34 saves, .971% save percentage.

The Colorado Avalanche (30-12-5) hit the road as they face the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena Saturday night. Puck-Drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM MT.