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Denver • Semyon Varlamov was sharp in making 35 saves, and Jamie McGinn scored two goals, leading Colorado to a 6-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night in Patrick Roy's coaching debut with the Avalanche.
Ryan O'Reilly, John Mitchell, Matt Duchene and Steve Downie added goals for the Avalanche, who improved to 19-8-7 on opening night. Top pick Nathan MacKinnon set up both of McGinn's goals with no-look passes.
In large part, this night belonged to Roy, who drew a loud roar when he was introduced before the game. He and fellow Hall of Famer Joe Sakic, who is in charge of the day-to-day hockey operations, are teaming up to restore the luster to an organization that has missed the playoffs the last three seasons.
Almost fitting that Varlamov should play so well under the watch of Roy, one of the league's best goalies.
Known for his feistiness during his career, Roy vowed to bring that kind of passion back to the Avalanche. He thinks this team can be a contender, even if few prognosticators are giving the Avs much of a chance of making the playoffs.
"We want to surprise the world of hockey," Roy said. —
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Toronto 1 1 0 0 2 4 3
Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Buffalo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Detroit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Florida 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ottawa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tampa Bay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Montreal 1 0 1 0 0 3 4
Metropolitan Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Carolina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Columbus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Jersey 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N.Y. Islanders 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N.Y. Rangers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pittsburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Washington 1 0 1 0 0 4 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Central Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Chicago 1 1 0 0 2 6 4
Winnipeg 1 1 0 0 2 5 4
Colorado 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dallas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Minnesota 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nashville 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Anaheim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Calgary 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Los Angeles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Phoenix 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
San Jose 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Vancouver 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Edmonton 1 0 1 0 0 4 5
2 points for win, 1 point for overtime loss.
Wednesday's Games
Toronto at Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m.
Buffalo at Detroit, 6 p.m.
Anaheim at Colorado, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday's Games
Tampa Bay at Boston, 5 p.m.
New Jersey at Pittsburgh, 5 p.m.
Calgary at Washington, 5 p.m.
Nashville at St. Louis, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles at Minnesota, 6 p.m.
Florida at Dallas, 6:30 p.m.
N.Y. Rangers at Phoenix, 8 p.m.
Vancouver at San Jose, 8 p.m.