Hurricanes shut out Avalanche, gain in Metropolitan

DENVER -- Petr Mrazek made 38 saves, and the Carolina Hurricanes moved into third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 3-0 win against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on Monday.

It was Mrazek's fourth shutout of the season and third in his past eight starts.
"I felt pretty good," Mrazek said. "Two big points on the line. The result, that's what we wanted. Every game means a lot, it's a lot on the line. Doesn't matter where we are right now. We have to keep grinding and keep working hard."
WATCH: [All Hurricanes vs. Avalanche highlights]
Andrei Svechnikov had two goals and an assist, Dougie Hamilton scored, and Teuvo Teravainen had two assists for the Hurricanes (38-24-7), who are 7-1-1 in their past nine games and are tied in points with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"That was special," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "I haven't seen some of those saves in a game. We gave up a little too much, obviously, but [Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer] made some saves, too. It was a good game, it was back and forth. They've got a good group and talent over there. At the end of the day, [Mrazek] has been solid all year."
Grubauer made 30 saves for the Avalanche (30-28-12), who have lost four of their past six games (2-4-0) and trail the Minnesota Wild by two points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
"We got to capitalize on our chances," Grubauer said. "Overall, it was a good game. They're a really skilled team, very offensive oriented. We got some chances, too, but we got to keep playing and chip away, chip away. We missed out on two important points."

Hamilton gave Carolina a 1-0 lead at 10:07 of the second period, taking a pass from Justin Williams and scoring glove side from the high slot with a delayed penalty against Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson.
"I [passed it ahead] it to [Svechnikov] and tried to beat my guy up," Hamilton said. "He got tripped (by Johnson) and I wanted to pick it up. [Williams] passed it to me in the middle, I realized I had some time and thought I would have to make a pass. Their guy kind of backed up, so just shoot. I think it's instinct at that point and trying to make reads and not think too much."
Svechnikov made it 2-0 at 7:08 of the third period when Teravainen found him in front and he beat Grubauer on a backhand. Svechnikov scored an empty-net goal at 17:33 for a 3-0 lead.
"(I) feel great with those guys," Svechnikov said of linemates Jordan Staal and Teravainen. "We got some chemistry in the last couple of periods and it's amazing playing with those guys."

Mrazek made 13 saves in the third period, including four against Avalanche forward Colin Wilson.
"It's frustrating," Wilson said. "We played a good game, just couldn't put the puck in the net. [Mrazek] did a good job. I think one or two of those, I should have buried them."
Mrazek's best save of the game came when reached back with his stick to stop Wilson from scoring into an open net at 11:00 of the third period.
"A little bit athletic save maybe," Mrazek said. "I tried to get the pad and stick. Sometimes those saves are lucky."

Hurricanes defenseman Calvin de Haan left at 6:47 of the third after he was struck in the face with Alex Kerfoot's stick on the follow through of a shot.
"We're evaluating him," Brind'Amour said. "We had to take him to the hospital. That's the big downer on the night."

They said it

"There's a level, a standard, the room expects every night and that's to win. In order to win, you have to play a certain way and compete a certain way. That's what we're getting night in and night out for the most part. We've had a little hiccup there, but other than that the group comes ready to play." -- Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour
"I think we should have won the game with the chances we had. You have to bear down on those chances, some of them. Obviously, there's a lot of good goalies in the League and have to give credit to [Mrazek]. He had a great game, but still, with those chances that we had, I'm kind of (upset) that we lost this game."-- Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen
"We just couldn't beat Mrazek. I thought he was outstanding. I really liked Grubauer, but Mrazek was really good tonight." -- Avalanche coach Jared Bednar

Need to know

Mrazek has allowed 10 goals his past six starts (6-0-0). … The win was the first in regulation on the road for the Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers against the Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques since Feb. 1, 1994.

What's next

Hurricanes:At the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, TVAS, FS-O, FS-CR, NHL.TV)
Avalanche:Host the Anaheim Ducks on Friday (9 p.m. ET; ALT, FS-W, NHL.TV)