Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Patrick Roy's playing career is forever intertwined with Mario Tremblay.
Now the first-year Colorado head coach shares an NHL record with his former bench boss.
Matt Duchene scored two goals, including the game-winner in the second period, and the surprising Avalanche prolonged their amazing start by holding on to edge the Dallas Stars, 3-2, at Pepsi Center.
Colorado has run off six straight wins to open the campaign, the second-best start to a season in franchise history. The Avalanche find themselves within striking distance of the 7-0 start by the 1985-86 Quebec Nordiques because of the stellar play of goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who made 39 saves, the last coming just ahead of the final horn on Alex Chiasson from the doorstep.
Varlamov preserved the win for Roy, who matched Tremblay for the most consecutive wins to begin a coaching career.
Tremblay won his first six games with the Montreal Canadiens in 1995-96 and, of course, is remembered for leaving Roy in net for nine goals against in an 11-1 dismantling at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 2, 1995. A peeved Roy was soon dealt to Colorado and went on to win two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche.
"It's not something I'm looking at. To be truthful, I'm not really excited about the record. I'm excited about how our team is winning, and any problems we can fix on Thursday (against Detroit)," Roy said.
Rich Peverley and Cody Eakin scored for Dallas, which has dropped three of its first five games. Dan Ellis, who was riding a four-game winning streak against the Avalanche, stopped 23 shots.
"There's something here to build off of," said Stars forward Tyler Seguin. "Our first (period) was shaky, second was much better. Their goaltender was incredible tonight."
Eakin erased a 2-1 deficit with the first power-play goal surrendered by Colorado in 14 shorthanded situations this season. With the man advantage winding down, he fired a wrister from the right circle behind Varlamov at the 10:58 mark of the second period.
Duchene put the Avalanche back in front on a delayed penalty. He motored down the middle through the neutral zone, cut wide to the left wing and roofed a shot at 14:18.
Dallas jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Peverley's breakaway tally 4:18 into the contest. It was the first goal given up by Colorado in the opening period this season.
Duchene, off a giveaway by Dallas veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar, tied things up at 11:43, then rearguard Jan Hejda put the Avs in front when he pounced on a loose puck and let go a slap shot with seven seconds left in the first period.
Game Notes
Duchene's second goal was his 200th career NHL point ... Colorado forward PA Parenteau had two assists ... The Stars were 1-for-4 on the power play.
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