NHL scores: Avalanche remain unbeaten, Rangers lose big again

The biggest surprise in the early part of the 2013-14 season has to be the play of Patrick Roy’s Colorado Avalanche.

With their 2-0 win in Boston on Thursday night the Avalanche improved to 4-0 on the young season and have been one of the most interesting teams in the league so far. The combination of Roy’s fire behind the bench and the impressive collection of forward talent that’s been collected over the years has made this one of the most interesting teams in the league whether they win or lose.

Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Duchene (empty net) scored for the Avalanche on Thursday, while Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned aside all 39 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season.

The Avalanche have yet to allow more than one goal in a game this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs also continued their winning ways with a 4-0 win in Nashville.

But while it’s all smiles for hockey fans in Denver and Toronto right now, hockey fans in New York have been treated to back-to-back clunkers from the Rangers who were blown out for the second straight game, losing to the Anaheim Ducks by a 6-0 margin.

Avalanche 2, Bruins 0

Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 1

Hurricanes 3, Capitals 2

Coyotes 4, Red Wings 2

Lightning 7, Panthers 2

Maple Leafs 4, Predators 0

Wild 2, Jets 1

Canadiens 4, Oilers 1

Sharks 4, Canucks 1

Ducks 6, Rangers 0

On Thursday we asked you five burning questions about the day’s games. Here are you cool, soothing answers.

The Sharks scored four goals as a team, but Thornton was not among the goal-scorers. That means we did not get to see whether or not he would really celebrate by, well ... you know.

The Capitals were shut out on the power play during their 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, generating five shots on goal with the man-advantage. It was the first time this season the Capitals failed to score on the power play having entered the season 6-for-12 over their first three games.

After scoring four goals on Tuesday, and turning the hockey world upside down with his between-the-legs effort in the third period, Tomas Hertl was held off the scoresheet during the Sharks’ 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He recorded three shots on goal and was also on the receiving end of a controversial hit from Canucks defenseman Alex Edler.

It was a draw, as both teams ended up going 0-for-2 on the power play. The Coyotes, however, managed to win the game at even-strength by outscoring the Red Wings, 4-2, and outshooting them, 35-25, during 5-on-5 play. Impressive road win for the Coyotes, much to the chagrin of some Motor City hockey fans.

Oh my heavens, no. No. Not even close. Absolutely positively not. This was bad, folks. After losing 9-2 on Tuesday night, the Rangers came back on Thursday and lost 6-0 with all six of the Ducks’ goals coming over the first two periods. The first period was so lopsided that not only were the Rangers down 3-0 at that point, they were being outshot, 17-3. Then Henrik Lundqvist started the second period by doing this. Over their past two games the Rangers have been outscored, 15-2, which is a pretty unbelievable number. They’ve been outscored, 20-6, over their first four games.

The one moment from Thursday’s games that will be making headlines in the coming days.

Just what exactly is wrong with the New York Rangers. It’s one thing to get your doors blown off every once in a while. But to follow up a 9-2 loss with a 6-0 loss in your very next game is not the type of result you’re looking for. Is there still an adjustment period going on with a new coach and a new system? Is there something wrong with Henrik Lundqvist? Or are they simply not very good?

Alex Ovechkin has opened the season with a goal in four consecutive games. That is the longest goal-scoring streak he has ever had to start a season in his incredible career. So, at least the Capitals have that going for them during their 1-3-0 start to the season.