The Colorado Avalanche -- barring any freak catastrophes in front of them -- will probably not make the playoffs this season. Sure, it's too early to even think about playoffs, but the Avalanche are in an interesting position of playing the spoiler role for teams jockeying for position near the top.
NHL scores 2015: Avalanche outlast Blues barrage in a 3-1 victory in St. Louis
Semyon Varlamov was the difference for Colorado in this key Central Division matchup.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado did just that in their 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues Sunday, continuing their hot streak though the middle of December. Since Nov. 28, the Avalanche have gone 6-3-0, closing the gap between them in the basement of the Central and the remainder of the division. Now, the margin between them and the Winnipeg Jets is a slim one point for last place in the deadly Central.
On the flip side, St. Louis hasn't had their best stretch of games, winning just three of their last nine. Jake Allen, after shutting out the high-flying Stars the previous night, got the start on the tail end of a back-to-back. Most definitely not the best decision head coach Ken Hitchcock has made this year, as Allen saved 15 of 17 shots after a night of stopping a full ten more.
Two goals in just over five minutes of game time in the first period were the Blues’ downfall, a setback they couldn’t overcome. The first goal given up by Allen was an easily stoppable puck, while the second was more the defense failing to contain a man in front.
It wasn't for lack of trying. The Blues put together 43 shots on netminder Semyon Varlamov and he allowed just one goal in the middle stages of the third period. While Colorado never had more than six shots per period, the Blues put together a combined 35 shots in two periods and were just able to crack Varlamov once.
A good few days off for St. Louis will help after a weekend with mixed results. For Colorado, a date with the hot Blackhawks is in store as the Avalanche look to sweep their three-game Central road trip.
Scores
Colorado Avalanche 3, St. Louis Blues 1
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Vancouver Canucks 0
3 things we learned
1. Varlamov ends night with season-high save count
It is worth mentioning again that Varlamov had a fantastic night in net for the Avalanche, coming away with 42 saves on the evening, a new season-high for the netminder. The goaltender was on it all evening, and he needed to be with the way the Blues were coming at him in the second and third periods. While his totals are down this year, Varlamov looked as good Sunday as he has in previous seasons -- a good sign for the Avalanche.
Semyon Varlamov (@Avalanche) has allowed 7 goals over his last 5 outings, stopping 160 of 167 shots in those contests (.958 SV%). #COLvsSTL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 14, 2015 2. Vladimir Tarasenko remains a bright spot for the Blues
The up-and-coming forward for St. Louis had a team leading eight shots on net in the loss but his power play goal that cut the Avalanche lead is just another reminder of why the future looks bright for the Blues offense.
3. Patrick Kane extends his streak to 26 games with secondary assist
On a slow night in the rest of the NHL, Patrick Kane's streak lives on at 26 games after a secondary assist on Duncan Keith's opening goal for the Blackhawks. Kane now passes Sidney Crosby and holds the record for the longest points streak in the modern hockey era.
Patrick Kane now has those with 28 Gm. point streaks on radar. Since 1988 few have gone longer than his current run pic.twitter.com/0DwXijdlB1
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) December 14, 2015 See More:
