Thatcher Demko stopped all 25 shots he faced and the host Vancouver Canucks blanked the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 on Tuesday.
It was the American goalieB次元官网网址檚 first shutout of the season and the ninth of his NHL career.
Jake DeBrusk buried his team-leading 19th goal of the season for the Canucks (24-18-11) early in the second period to open the scoring.
He later set up Brock Boeser for a power-play tally midway through the third. Filip Hronek contributed two assists, and Drew OB次元官网网址機onnor added an empty-net goal B次元官网网址� his first as a Canuck B次元官网网址� with 8.7 seconds left in the game.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 28 saves for the Avalanche (31-22-2), who allowed a goal for the first time in three games.
The game got chippy in the final frame, with multiple scrums erupting and officials doling out 26 minutes worth of penalties across the period B次元官网网址� including a game misconduct to ColoradoB次元官网网址檚 Miles Wood for poking his stick into the groin of Vancouver forward Linus Karlsson.
The Canucks now have points in five of their last six contests (4-1-1).
B次元官网网址淏est fans in the world. IB次元官网网址檝e been able to be here for 7 years now and itB次元官网网址檚 always a pleasure out here playing in front of these guys.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址� Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
馃棧 First star Thatcher Demko with Rinkside Reporter Olivia McDonald following a 25-save shutout!
TAKEAWAYS
Canucks: The team played without captain Quinn Hughes for a second straight game. The star defenceman skated briefly on Tuesday morning, but head coach Rick Tocchet said holding him out was B次元官网网址渢he right moveB次元官网网址� and that the undisclosed injury would be evaluated B次元官网网址渄ay by day.B次元官网网址�
Avalanche: DeBruskB次元官网网址檚 goal at the 4:26 mark of the second period snapped a 146-minute 55-second shutout streak for Blackwood. Colorado came into the game having outscored its opponents 9-5 in the previous three outings.
KEY MOMENT
Demko made a series of stunning stops midway through the second period to preserve the CanucksB次元官网网址� one-goal advantage. The American netminder batted away Cale MakarB次元官网网址檚 shot from the slot then, moments later, slid all the way across his crease to kick away Artturi LehkonenB次元官网网址檚 shot with the toe of his left skate. Cheers of B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 go Demko!B次元官网网址� emanated throughout the rink during the ensuing TV timeout.
KEY STAT
The CanucksB次元官网网址� power play has been clicking recently, going 5-for-16 over the last five games.
UP NEXT
Canucks: Visit the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
Avalanche: Continue a Canadian road swing Thursday against the Calgary Flames.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
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