Avs cool Vegas

In Denver, the Colorado Avalanche needed a big game from someone and got it from Semyon Varlamov, who made 40 saves in a 3-0 shutout of the Vegas Golden Knights.

“I felt really good today,” Varlamov said. “I was facing lots of shots, but most of the shots were from the outside. It wasn’t like a tough game where there’s lots of screens in front and you can’t see anything. The guys did a tremendous job. I saw most of the shots.”

Andrew Agozzino (first NHL goal), Matt Calvert and Tyson Jost scored for the Avs.

Semyon Varlamov made 40 saves in shutout of Vegas – file photo by Lewis Bleiman

“I’ve been waiting a long time for that moment,” Agozzino said. “It’s special and tough to put into words. There was a lot emotion after I saw it go in and just pure excitement. I came up with the mindset to try to help this team, in whatever aspect it was. I’m glad I did that tonight to help this team to get a win. It’s a big two points and a special night for me.

“I’m sure my dad is going to call me for (the puck). I’m sure it will go in a nice frame in my house, but he’ll be fighting me for it.”

Colorado improved to 24-24-11 and snapped a six-game schneid on home ice.

“He (Agozzino) did a really nice job,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “Smart, intelligent 200-foot player, made some plays, had some poise with the puck.”

Vegas dropped to 32-25-4.

“Lots of chances, just couldn’t put the puck in the back of the net,” Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant said. “It was one of those 6-5 hockey games and it ended up being 3-0 for them.

“I thought both goaltenders were outstanding. (Subban) gave us a chance to hang around in there. Varlamov made a lot of big saves.”

The Knights are 3-8-0 in their last 11.

“I just don’t think we were executing,” Vegas forward Reilly Smith said. “It seemed like there were a lot of sloppy plays. I think we had a lot of chances where we had people open for scoring chances, but we couldn’t get the puck there. Probably just got a little too frustrated.”

[WATCH: All Golden Knights vs. Avalanche highlights]

Malcolm Subban made 35 saves in the loss.

“It’s tough to lose games like this; [it] took a full 60-minute effort and I needed to make a few more saves tonight. Got to correct some mistakes and move forward,” Subban said.