DENVER – Calvin Pickard stopped 27 shots for his first NHL shutout, Matt Duchene scored 51 seconds in and the Colorado Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Thursday night.
Defenseman Tyson Barrie added a short-handed goal and Carl Soderberg an empty-netter to help the Avalanche improve to 9-0-1 in their last 10 games against New Jersey. The Devils haven't won at the Pepsi Center since March 15, 2008.
Pickard started and gave a breather to regular goalie Semyon Varlamov, who's allowed 14 goals over his last four games.
The 23-year-old Pickard began the season with San Antonio of the American Hockey League but was recalled last month for a second time this season after backup Reto Berra hurt his ankle. Pickard has made two starts — both wins — and four relief appearances in 2015-16.
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