Canucks Dish Out Special Treatment

Vancouver’s special teams set the tempo early, and the Colorado Avalanche never caught up.

Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi each had a goal and two assists, and the Canucks beat Colorado, 4-2, Monday night at Denver.

“It was pretty much a special teams night, and our special teams were the difference,” Vancouver Coach Marc Crawford said.

Vancouver was two for six on the power play. Continuing to struggle on the power play, Colorado was one for seven and remains among the league’s worst at eight for 72 (11%).

Vancouver remained unbeaten on the road (4-0-2) and Colorado stayed winless at home (0-2-3). The Avalanche is the only team in the Western Conference without a victory at home.

The Canucks’ Dan Cloutier had 24 saves. Colorado’s David Aebischer, subbing for Patrick Roy, who is out because of a hip injury, stopped 17.

Calgary 4, New York Islanders 2 -- Last season is looking like ancient history for the Islanders.

One season removed from a fast start that propelled them into the playoffs for the first time since 1994, the Islanders fell short at Uniondale, N.Y., losing for the fifth consecutive time.

Chris Drury scored the game-winning goal 96 seconds into the third period, putting the Flames back on top after the Islanders rallied from a two-goal deficit.

The Flames picked up points for the sixth game in a row, going 2-0-2-2 during the stretch. The Islanders hadn’t lost more than three in a row since Peter Laviolette became coach last season.

“It seems like last [season] was a dream -- like it didn’t happen,” Mark Parrish said.

Asked if he was disappointed, Parrish said, “I was disappointed 10 games ago. Furious, maybe?”

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St. Louis signed goalie Tom Barrasso, an 18-year NHL veteran.

Barrasso, 37, had been working out with the club to get into game shape since signing a tentative deal Oct. 24. The Blues have used four goalies this season.

To make room for Barrasso, the Blues put defenseman Christian Laflamme on waivers.