Blues Learn That Timing Is Everything

It was a case of poor timing for the St. Louis Blues.

Heading to Colorado with a six-game winning streak, the Blues faced an Avalanche team that had lost three straight home games, capped by a 2-1 loss to the NHL’s worst team, Tampa Bay, on Monday. Adding to Colorado’s motivation, the Avalanche was about to head on the road for eight of its next 10 games.

“They really took it to us,” St. Louis Coach Joel Quenneville said after Colorado’s 3-2 victory on Wednesday night at Denver. “This was bad timing for us. You know they are going to be at their best after losing three straight at home.”

Patrick Roy became the NHL’s leader in victories among active goalies by recording his 376th, breaking a tie with St. Louis’ Grant Fuhr. Roy stands fifth overall.

New York Rangers 5, San Jose 3--The Rangers got three power-play goals at New York.

New York scored twice within 27 seconds in the second period to take a 3-2 lead. With the Rangers on a two-man advantage, Wayne Gretzky beat goaltender Kelly Hrudey from the bottom of the right faceoff circle for his 18th goal. The Rangers converted the one-man edge as well when Adam Graves beat Hrudey with a shot from the high slot.

Pittsburgh 4, Calgary 1--Jaromir Jagr scored his 30th goal and set up Stu Barnes’ 27th at Pittsburgh.

The Flames have lost three in a row since a season-best 5-0-1 streak.

Edmonton 2, Tampa Bay 0--Curtis Joseph stopped 20 shots in recording his 16th shutout at Tampa.

Edmonton has won twice in three tries during a current seven-game trip. The Oilers are 6-2 since the Olympic break.

Ottawa 5, Florida 3--Alexei Yashin scored two power-play goals and assisted on another at Kanata, Canada.

Sergei Zholtok contributed two goals, also on the power play, and Igor Kravchuk added a goal and two assists for the Senators.

Montreal 2, Vancouver 2--Scott Thornton scored with 7:01 remaining in regulation and also had an assist as the Canadiens rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie at Montreal.