The way this is going, astute coaches of NHL teams coming into Denver might go to their No. 1 goaltenders and pointedly ask: You’re due for a night off, aren’t ya?
Anaheim’s Curtis McElhinney, the former Colorado College standout, today became the latest backup goalie to frustrate Colorado, posting a 25-save shutout in the Ducks’ 3-0 victory at the Pepsi Center and dealing the reeling Avalanche its fifth loss in the past six games.
Winger Corey Perry had three goals for the Ducks in the first meeting of the season between the Western Conference rivals. Perry completed his second hat trick of the season by scoring an empty-net goal with 17.3 seconds remaining.
Since the Christmas break, the list of backups to beat Colorado includes Detroit’s Chris Osgood, the New York Islanders’ Kevin Poulin, Phoenix’s Jason LaBarbera, Minnesota’s Jose Theodore and now McElhinney, who was playing his 15th game of the season and usually watches Jonas Hiller do the work in the Anaheim net.
Hiller didn’t suit up for the Ducks today because of the dizziness and stomach pains he has suffered in the past week after playing in the All-Star Game last weekend, and Anaheim went with the journeyman McElhinney against the Avs, with Timmo Pielmeier — recalled from Syracuse — as his backup.
McElhinney didn’t have to be stunningly heroic in this one, in part because Colorado spent much of the time shorthanded, killing off five of the six Anaheim power plays in the first two periods alone. But he made some tough saves in getting his second shutout of the season.
Perry gave the Ducks the 2-0 lead with a power-play goal at 13:51 of the first period, then an even-strength score at 1:53 of the third. Peter Budaj stopped 27 of 29 shots for the Avalanche.
The Avalanche begins a four-game road trip at Phoenix Monday night. If Peter Forsberg signs with Colorado and makes the trip, that announcement will be made Sunday morning.
Terry Frei: 303-954-1895 or tfrei@denverpost.com
