The number of followers isn’t building as fast as, say, a Kim Kardashian Twitter account. But with every passing week, with every victory such as the one Saturday over the Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey Devils, the Avalanche keeps adding converts to the flock.
Game No. 48 for the Avalanche concluded with a 3-1 victory over the Devils before 17,816 fans at the Pepsi Center. Colorado moved back into sole possession of first place in the Northwest Division.
A roaring crowd spurred on the Avs and goalie Craig Anderson in the final three minutes, when the Devils went on the power play, then pulled goalie Martin Brodeur for a 6-on-4 situation. The signature moment of the end came when Anderson grabbed a loose puck in his crowded crease and held it aloft, a la Patrick Roy, for all to see.
“There’s no question that he’s a calming influence back there,” Avs coach Joe Sacco said of Anderson, who made 37 saves. “He has been all year. He’s been outstanding for us all season. There is that factor that, knowing if you do make a mistake, knowing you have Andy back there, it makes it more comforting for the players and for the coaches.”
The Avs, winners of three straight games, were outshot as usual (38-28) but played a better fundamental game than New Jersey. They were excellent on the penalty kill (3-for-3), blocked 15 shots to the Devils’ 10 and won 53 percent of the faceoffs. And when there were mistakes — as when Cody McLeod took a high-sticking penalty with 2:45 left — Anderson was there.
“We had some big blocks out front, guys cleaning up some of the mess I left for them,” Anderson said. “We were all on the same page.
“I just had to make the first save, and guys did a good job of getting the puck out and blocking shots.”
The Avs received goals from Chris Stewart and T.J. Galiardi and an empty-netter from Wojtek Wolski. Galiardi’s shot — from the right circle that slipped under Brodeur’s right armpit — was the game-winner, at 18:32 of the first period.
“It helps with our confidence,” Galiardi said of the Avs’ win. “We have to play well at home and keep pushing to get the two points, because it’s real big in our conference.”
Stewart, who had another outstanding game on the top line, had an easy tap-in for the Avs’ first goal early on, after Paul Stastny slipped him a perfect crossing pass.
“I think they kind of lost track of me back there, and I had the easy part of the play,” Stewart said. “I think the quick start really helped us today and set the tone. They came on at the end, but we stuck with it.”
Devils coach Jacques Lemaire called a timeout just 3:17 into the game and energetically chewed out his squad.
“I think our mind was not there tonight. I could see it right away; they showed me right there their mind wasn’t there,” Lemaire said.
The Avs improved to 10-4-1 against Eastern Conference teams and 9-1-2 on Saturdays.
“It was a fun atmosphere today,” Stastny said. “Lots of energy in the building and we fed off it, and it was just a good win for us.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com and
Avs Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Craig Anderson.
Avalanche goaltender was superb, making 37 saves.
2. Chris Stewart.
Avs right wing had a goal and assist.
3. Ryan Wilson.
Avs defenseman made a couple of hard hits, including one that put Devils star Patrik Elias out of the game.
What you might have missed
Stewart has 25 points (14 goals and 11 assists) in his last 25 games.
Up next
Vs. Edmonton, Mon., 7 p.m.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
