The Avs are doing just fine without Semyon Varlamov, it doesn’t matter who’s in net for the Bruins right now and a veteran shows that old can be gold(en).
Here are three things we learned in the NHL.
Avalanche perfect in 2018
If you had concerns about how the Colorado Avalanche would fair after losing starting backstop Varlamov on Jan. 2, you would have been in the majority.
Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Bernier wouldn’t have been on your side, though, as MacKinnon’s two goals against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday give him seven goals and 10 assists during the Avs’ eight-game win streak. Since Dec. 1, the 22-year-old has scored 14 times to go along with 15 helpers.
Backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier has also erased doubts over the loss of Varlamov by racking up six straight wins for himself to go along with a .962 save percentage coming into Thursday’s game.
He had 45 saves against the Sharks, including a massive double save on Tomas Hertl after the Avs had their three-goal lead entering the third period cut to one.
This is Colorado’s longest win streak in 12 years (they won eight straight from Dec. 31, 2005 to Jan. 17, 2006).
Khudobin starts as Bruins extend point streak to 15
Tuukka Rask was 13-0-2 over his last 15 decisions coming into Thursday night, but Anton Khudobin picked up the start on the second night of a back-to-back.
It made no difference for the Boston Bruins, as they made it 15 straight games where they’ve collected at least a point. Patrice Bergeron scored a hat trick in their 5-2 win over the New York Islanders, and Boston is now 11-0-4 since Dec. 16.
Drafted 206th overall in the seventh round of the 2004 draft, Khudobin made 22 saves for his 10th victory of the season. The 31-year-old is now 10-2-4 on the season.
Engelland records 100th and 101st NHL assists as Golden Knights beat Lightning
Veteran defenceman Deryk Engelland showed that age is just a number as the Vegas Golden Knights made the biggest statement of their dream season yet. They clinched the season series against the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning with a convincing 4-1 victory.
The 35-year-old had his shot tipped in by James Neal to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 advantage heading into the second period, before assisting David Perron to restore their two-goal lead after Ondrej Palat pulled one back for the Lightning.
Engelland signed a one-year, $1.5-million extension on Monday, and this performance will only further the Golden Knights’ belief that he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
The @GoldenKnights (30-11-3, 63 points) are the fifth team in NHL history to reach the 30-win mark in its inaugural season. #NHLStats #VGKvsTBL pic.twitter.com/ChzpbzlOJy
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 19, 2018
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