Roy Helps Avalanche Extend Streak to 12

The biggest problem for the Colorado Avalanche is figuring out who’s hotter, the team or goaltender Patrick Roy.

Roy stopped 27 shots as the Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars, 3-0, at Dallas on Sunday night to extend its winning streak to 12 games.

It’s the longest winning streak in the NHL since Pittsburgh’s record 17-game streak in 1993.

It was Roy’s eleventh consecutive victory and fifth shutout of the season. During his streak, Roy has given up only 18 goals.

“I wouldn’t say I’m in a zone,” Roy said. “I’m just getting great play from my teammates. It’s fun to be a goaltender right now.”

Claude Lemieux, Chris Drury and Jon Klemm scored for Colorado, which last lost Jan. 9, 3-2, at Detroit. But even the scorers knew who the hero was.

“The one guy we can point to is Patrick,” Drury said. “He’s been unbelievable.”

The Stars, on the other hand, are moving back to the pack in the Western Conference, going 5-5-2 over their last 12 games following a 15-game run without a defeat.

Dallas is only four points ahead of Phoenix and six in front of Colorado in the Western Conference playoff race.

Pittsburgh 2, Detroit 1--Tom Barrasso stopped 35 shots in his second start since returning from a neck injury and the Penguins extended their winning streak to six games at Pittsburgh.

New York Islanders 3, Vancouver 3--Markus Naslund’s goal with 4:18 left in regulation gave the Canucks the tie at Uniondale, N.Y.

Boston 3, New York Rangers 2--Joe Thornton scored the game-winner with 3:27 left to give the Bruins a victory at Boston.

Washington 3, Buffalo 1--The Capitals’ winning streak and the Sabres’ losing streak reached four, but Peter Bondra, looking for his third consecutive hat trick, didn’t score a point at Washington. No NHL player has had three consecutive hat tricks.