NEWARK, N.J. — That zone defense that Patrick Roy instituted on his Avalanche team a couple of weeks ago is starting to result in generally better numbers, with Saturday’s 3-2 victory in New Jersey a good example.
For one of the few times this season, the Avs outshot their opponent (29-25), making life easier on goaltender Semyon Varlamov and keeping legs fresher that once had to scurry around in a man-to-man scheme.
“It’s good. Everyone’s familiar with it. I think everyone has played it at one point or another in their careers,” said Avs defender Erik Johnson, who logged a game-high 30:25 of ice time in the win, scoring a tying third-period goal. “It’s not only defensively, we break the puck out more efficiently. There’s a guy sealing the wall at all times, and the big thing for the D is, that weak-side D-man is always able to activate. He’s on that weak side all the time, even if the puck is strong side. He’s able to receive that pass from the strong-side guy and work it up the middle. That creates more chances for us off the rush.”
Johnson said the new defensive scheme allows D-men to protect the front of the net better, as at least one will always be stationed in there from the weak side — and not chasing their man all over the zone.
“You have to give Patrick credit,” Johnson said. “He could have been stubborn around it, but he listens to his players.”
Footnotes. The Avs don’t play again until Thursday, at home against Washington. … There were just 21 accredited hits in the game, 13 by the Devils. … Avs president Josh Kroenke and his mother, Ann Walton, were at the game. … Jarome Iginla broke a four-game pointless streak with a first-period assist on John Mitchell’s goal. … Defenseman Nick Holden was a minus-2 and is now a team-worst minus-15 on the season. … Dennis Everberg was the lone healthy scratch for the Avs. … Devils goalie Cory Schneider started his 18th consecutive game, one short of the team record by Martin Brodeur.
