Hutchinson, Avalanche defeat Red Wings for seventh straight win

DETROIT --The Colorado Avalanche extended their winning streak to seven games when Michael Hutchinson made 17 saves in a 2-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Monday.

It was Hutchinson's debut with the Avalanche, who acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 24.
"That was great. It was a lot of fun out there," said Hutchinson, who turned 30 on Monday. "The guys played extremely hard in front of me. That was definitely the best birthday present you can ask for."
WATCH: [All Avalanche vs. Red Wings highlights]
Vladislav Namestnikov and Logan O'Connor scored for Colorado (40-18-7), which has won a team-record nine straight on the road and moved within one point of the St. Louis Blues for first place in the Central Division. The Avalanche were also victorious at the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday and the Nashville Predators on Saturday to sweep a three-game trip.
Colorado is without several key players, including goalie Philipp Grubauer (lower-body injury), and forwards Mikko Rantanen (upper body), Nazem Kadri (lower body) and Andre Burakovsky (upper body).
Rookie defenseman Cale Makar also did not play because of an upper-body injury. He is day to day.
"I don't even try to explain it; we just have guys stepping up all the time," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "Everyone is playing hard, because they want to keep this going. We know every point is valuable right now and we want to get them."

Detroit (15-48-5) has lost six in a row (0-5-1) and 20 of its past 23 games. Anthony Mantha scored his 15th goal, and Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves.
"I liked our compete level and I liked the way we stuck together and battled," said center Dylan Larkin, who assisted on Mantha's goal. "That could have gone either way."
Mantha gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead at 5:48 of the first period.

Namestnikov, who was also acquired on Feb. 24 in a trade from the Ottawa Senators, tied it 1-1 at 12:50 when he kicked a rebound into shooting position from the edge of the crease.
The Red Wings had back-to-back power plays early in the second period, including 15 seconds of 5-on-3, but couldn't take the lead.
"We generated a few chances, but probably not enough," Blashill said. "We had a good stretch when we put Larkin's group back out there for the 5-on-3 and the start of the second 5-on-4, but then we shot ourselves in the foot by missing a seam pass."
Gabriel Landeskog set up Colorado's second goal at 14:31, taking an open-ice hit in order to send a saucer pass to O'Connor for a breakaway.
"That's just a selfless play and it shows you why he's wearing the C," O'Connor said of Landeskog. "He saw we had a good look and he was willing to take the hit to get me the puck."

Hutchinson made a save against Mantha on a breakaway with one second left in the second period, which was Detroit's 10th shot on goal.
"I had a couple chances in the second period that I really wish I could get back," Mantha said. "I thought we played really well, but we just didn't get many chances."

They said it

"It might not have been our best game, but it was the last game of a road trip and we got the job done. We've got three straight wins on the road, and that means we're going home with a lot of confidence." -- Avalanche defenseman Mark Barberio
"I thought Mantha was excellent and I think his centerman (Larkin) had an excellent night. I really challenged that line tonight by putting them against (Nathan) McKinnon's line for much of the night, and they did an outstanding job. Any time (Larkin) plays like that, it's going to be a huge boost for his wingers." -- Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill

Need to know

Colorado's nine-game winning streak on the road ties the New York Rangers (Jan. 16 - Feb. 27) for longest in the NHL this season. … The Avalanche have swept the Red Wings in the season series for three straight seasons. … Forward Dmytro Timashov played 12:39 in his first home game with Detroit. Timashov, claimed on waivers from the Maple Leafs on Feb. 24, had been waiting for a work visa. … The Red Wings have scored 14 even-strength goals in their past 16 games.

What's next

Avalanche: Host the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN)
Red Wings: Host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-D, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)