Pro Sports

Varlamov makes 37 saves in return, Avs beat Coyotes 3-1

Posted March 07, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, of Russia, makes a stick save of a shot against the Arizona Coyotes in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 7, 2016, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

DENVER (AP) - Semyon Varlamov had 37 saves in his return to the crease, Matt Duchene and Mikhail Grigorenko had a goal and an assist each and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Monday night.

Shawn Matthias also scored for the Avalanche, who are tied with Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Both teams have 72 points, but the Wild have played one fewer game.

Boyd Gordon scored and Louis Domingue had 34 saves for Arizona.

Varlamov served as the backup for two games after he struggled in losses to Detroit and Minnesota last week. He was pulled from a 6-3 loss to the Wild after allowing three goals on 12 first-period shots.

Varlamov was much sharper against Arizona. In the first period, he stopped Antoine Vermette on a shot close in, and in the second period he made another save on a breakaway.

The Coyotes have lost nine straight on the road and eight of nine overall to fall out of the Western Conference playoff chase. They are 10 points behind Minnesota and Colorado with a game in hand on the Wild.

Matthias gave Colorado a 1-0 lead at 9:17 of the first when he knocked in Francois Beauchemin's rebound.

Duchene made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 5:40 of the second period. It was his career-high 28th goal.

Grigorenko gave Colorado a 3-0 lead with a backhander at 5:37 of the third period. Gordon, who was playing his second game after missing 13 with an injury, spoiled the shutout with his first goal of the season at 8:47 to make it 3-1.

Domingue came off for an extra skater with 2:03 remaining and the Coyotes went on the power play with 1:34 left but couldn't score.

It was Colorado's 19th straight penalty kill.

NOTES: Coyotes C Kyle Chipchura went home to be with his wife, who is due to give birth. ... Avalanche D Eric Gelinas returned to the lineup after missing two games with a back injury. ... Arizona LW Max Domi returned after serving a one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the final 5 minutes against Anaheim on Thursday.

Arizona Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue has the puck filly over his head after stopping a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche center Carl Soderberg, of Sweden, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 7, 2016, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi, left, drives past Colorado Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod for a shot in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 7, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche center Shawn Matthias, left, celebrates scoring a goal with defenseman Nick Holden against the Arizona Coyotes in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, March 7, 2016, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, of Russia, takes a drink during a time out against the Arizona Coyotes in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, March 7, 2016, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, left, of Russia, makes a stick save of a shot by Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal, of the Czech Republic, in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, March 7, 2016, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy looks on against the Arizona Coyotes in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 7, 2016, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

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