Allen makes 32 saves, Blues top Avs 3-0 for 9th straight win | PostIndependent.com
YOUR AD HERE »

Allen makes 32 saves, Blues top Avs 3-0 for 9th straight win

Michael Kelly
Associated Press
Linesman Greg Devorski, center, separates Colorado Avalanche left wing A.J. Greer, left, and St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo as they try to fight in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, in Denver. Both players were assessed a penalty for their actions. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AP | AP

DENVER — Jake Allen has been mostly a spectator during St. Louis’ winning streak. He joined the party Saturday.

Allen made 32 saves in just his second start in a month, Vladimir Tarasenko and Zach Sanford scored 57 seconds apart in the third period and the Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 on Saturday for their ninth straight victory.

The winning streak is the Blues’ longest since also winning nine in a row from Oct. 15-Nov. 5, 2002.



“We’re confident but the team really understands the work that has to be put in game to game,” St. Louis interim coach Craig Berube said.

Allen was the No. 1 goaltender for the Blues earlier this season, but has been supplanted by rookie Jordan Binnington. Binnington is 11-1-1 in 13 games and has won his last seven starts, pushing Allen to a backup role.



The 28-year-old veteran has relied on experience to adjust to his new status.

“I’ve been through the same scenario many times, it’s nothing new to me,” said Allen, who is 3-0 against the Avalanche this season. “I treat my practices like my game and come in here and go out there and have some fun.”

Allen has two shutouts this season and 18 overall. St. Louis hasn’t allowed a goal in 127 minutes, 14 seconds.

Colorado ended an eight-game losing streak Thursday night in Winnipeg but couldn’t build on that win. The Avalanche have lost six in a row at home.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we just have to keep pounding ahead,” Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen said. “There’s a lot of games left. This was a really important game and it sucks to lose. We can’t get stuck in the mud, we have to forget and move on.”

The Blues outshot Colorado 25-19 through the first two periods, but couldn’t get one past Semyon Varlamov until Tarasenko broke through with his 25th goal at 4:01 of the third.

“Couple mistakes, one in the (offensive) zone and the other in the (defensive) zone,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “Giving up an odd-man rush was the difference in the hockey game.”

After Colorado nearly scored at the other end, Sanford scored on an ensuing odd-man rush, tipping Oskar Sundqvist’s pass past Varlamov at 4:58 for his seventh of the season. Tarasenko also assisted on the goal.

Allen then stopped Rantanen on a break and denied Carl Soderberg at the doorstep to keep the Avalanche off the board and contribute to the winning streak.

Allen’s teammates praise the goaltender’s attitude and work ethic while Binnington has taken over as the No. 1 goaltender.

Varlamov came off for an extra skater with 2:20 left, and Jaden Schwartz scored into an empty net at 18:24.

NOTES: St. Louis LW Alexander Steen was away from the team to be with his wife for the birth of the couple’s child. Robby Fabbri played in his place after being a healthy scratch for 10 straight games. … Pietrangelo left briefly in the first period after taking a shot off his knee. He said he lost feeling in his foot but was fine when it returned a few minutes later. … Colorado is 0 for 23 on the power play over its last eight games.

UP NEXT:

St. Louis: At Minnesota on Sunday.

Colorado: Hosts Vegas on Monday night.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.