Canucks 3, Avalanche 2
Canucks 3, Avalanche 2: Mason Raymond extended his point streak to four games with a goal in the second period as visiting Vancouver skated to its fourth win in a row.
Alexandre Burrows and defenseman Jason Garrison also scored for the Canucks, who improved to 17-0-2 against Colorado since Nov. 1, 2009 and moved past idle Minnesota for the lead in the Northwest Division. Cory Schneider, who made 26 saves, has been in net for all four victories on Vancouver’s streak.
PA Parenteau celebrated his 30th birthday with a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, who have recorded one win in their last seven games (1-6-0). Jamie McGinn also scored and Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped 27 shots in his first start since being pulled in a 6-4 loss to the Wild on March 16.
Raymond streaked into the offensive zone and fired a wrist shot that beat Giguere on the short side for his second goal in as many games. Burrows flipped a backhand shot over Giguere’s shoulder on a feed by Andrew Ebbett with 5:31 remaining in the period to put Vancouver up 3-1.
The Canucks entered the game with one goal in their last 43 power-play opportunities, but Garrison opened the scoring 11 seconds into the first man-advantage situation when his shot from the point caromed off traffic in front and trickled past Giguere. McGinn scored on a 2-on-1 with Parenteau to tie the game exactly four minutes later.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Parenteau scored on a power play late in the third to bring Colorado within one. The Avalanche finished 1-for-5 with the man advantage. … Canucks D Alexander Edler served the second of a two-game suspension for charging Phoenix G Mike Smith on Thursday. Edler, who leads Canucks blue-liners with 17 points, will be eligible to rejoin the lineup when Vancouver hosts Columbus on Tuesday. … Colorado D Ryan Wilson returned after missing four games with an ankle injury but left after appearing to aggravate the injury. Avalanche C Paul Stastny left the game in the first period with an apparent foot injury and did not return.