DENVER, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Dan Cloutier had 23 stops, Daniel Sedin scored early in the third period and Jarkko Ruutu hounded Peter Forsberg Monday as Vancouver beat Colorado, 1-0.
Vancouver Captain Markus Naslund labeled this Northwest Division showdown a "must-win." Naslund missed the last two periods after taking an elbow from Steve Moore, but his teammates climbed within four points of the first-place Avalanche.
Cloutier had his fourth shutout of the season.
Sedin ended the goaltending duel 2:09 into the third. Sedin banked a shot off Moore in front of the net, then banged the rebound past goalie David Aebischer for his 11th goal.
Cloutier made it stand, smothering a shot by rookie John-Michael Liles after the puck rolled down his back with 8:21 remaining and denying Alex Tanguay from close range with just under three minutes left.
