AP

Avalanche beat Devils 3-1, extend winning streak to 8 games

Apr 14, 2022, 8:45 AM | Updated: 9:53 pm

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) checks New Jersey Devils defenseman Ryan Graves (33)...

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) checks New Jersey Devils defenseman Ryan Graves (33) into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)


              Colorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) and left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) celebrate a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
            
              Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) and New Jersey Devils center Jesper Boqvist (70) vie for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
            
              Colorado Avalanche center Nathan McKinnon (29) moves the puck against New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
            
              Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francium (39) makes a save against the New Jersey Devils during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
            
              Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francium (39) makes a save against the New Jersey Devils during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
            
              Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) checks New Jersey Devils defenseman Ryan Graves (33) into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

DENVER (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen had a goal and an assist, Logan O’Connor and Andre Burakovsky also scored and the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche won their eighth straight game, 3-1 over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.

Pavel Francouz had 26 saves for Colorado, which has a league-best 114 points with eight games remaining. The Avalanche are four points behind the 2000-01 team that set the franchise record for points in a season. That team went on to win the Stanley Cup, beating the Devils in seven games in the finals.

Colorado has a four-point lead over the Florida Panthers in the race for the President’s Trophy, awarded to the team with the most points. The Panthers have played one less game than the Avalanche.

“We’re still fighting for that first overall, as they are,” coach Jared Bednar said. “I mean, they’re scoring a bunch of goals every night so that they’re going to be a challenge for whoever they face in the first round.”

Jesper Bratt scored for New Jersey, which had its two-game winning streak halted. Andrew Hammond stopped 25 shots for the Devils.

Colorado seized control with a dominant second period, when it outshot New Jersey 14-4 and scored three times.

O’Connor made it 1-0 on a rebound at 3:07, his seventh of the season. Burakovsky scored his 22nd at 7:45 as Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton knocked the net off of its moorings.

“I had to look at the replay to figure out what happened because I was confused when the net was on the ground after and didn’t know if it did go in or not,” Hammond said. “It was confusing and unfortunately it did count.”

Lehkonen’s 16th of the year and second with Colorado made it 3-0 at 14:35.

“It’s fun to get points, but as long as the team keeps winning it’s all it matters,” Lehkonen said.

Bratt’s 24th goal of the season at 11:39 of the third period spoiled Francouz’s shutout bid.

“We stepped up in the third period and we played harder,” Bratt said. “When we play a fast-paced game and don’t turn pucks over on the blue line and get them deep we create some scoring chances. You can’t do 20-, 30-minute good game against this kind of team.”

VICTORY TOUR

Members of the national champion University of Denver hockey team were featured throughout the game. Three seniors from the team dropped the ceremonial first puck.

The rest of team was given an ovation when they were shown on the jumbotron sitting in a suite with the championship trophy. During the first intermission, three players participated in a fan contest.

The Pioneers won the program’s ninth NCAA title with a 5-1 win over Minnesota State in Boston on Saturday night.

WELCOME ABOARD

Colorado’s newest forward, Ben Meyers, spoke before the game. Meyers signed a two-year free agent contract on Wednesday after playing in the Frozen Four with the University of Minnesota last weekend.

“The plan is just keep being with the team here in Colorado,” Meyers said. “I don’t know how many games I’ll play, and I don’t know what the plan is going to be for playoffs seeing as I’m not eligible to play, but I’m just excited to be with the team now, and I think it’ll just work itself out.”

NOTES: Colorado’s Cale Makar had an assist to tie Steve Duchesne for most points by a defenseman in franchise history. Duchesne had 83 points for Quebec in 1992-93. … The Avalanche paid tribute to New Jersey defenseman Ryan Graves during a timeout in the first period. Graves was traded to the Devils last summer ahead of the expansion draft. That allowed Colorado to protect its core defensemen from being picked by the Seattle Kraken. Graves took a skate to the chin during the game and got stitches afterward. … New Jersey’s last win in Denver was Dec. 17, 2017.

UP NEXT:

New Jersey: At the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night.

Colorado: Host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

Avalanche beat Devils 3-1, extend winning streak to 8 games