The building was about two-thirds full, the opponent was a mediocre team from the Eastern Conference the Avalanche doesn’t get to see a lot. But a lack of buzz did not prevent the Avs from grinding out a much-needed two points Thursday night with a 3-0 win over the Florida Panthers at the Pepsi Center.
Avs goalie Craig Anderson kept the dramatics to a minimum with a workmanlike shutout against the team that decided against re-signing him last summer, and Paul Stastny rebounded from perhaps his worst game of the season with two goals.
Stastny’s second of the night came one second after the Panthers had killed off the first of a two-man disadvantage, a one-timer from the crease after a cross pass from Chris Stewart.
The Avs got a late goal from Matt Hendricks to salt the game away. Colorado did not play a perfect game by any means — they still turned the puck over a fair bit — but Anderson was rock solid in getting his seventh shutout — tying him for the NHL lead with three others.
Stastny scored his first goal early in the second period, putting home the rebound of a Brett Clark shot past Tomas Vokoun.
The Panthers almost got a goal with about a minute left, but a shot hit the post.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com and
