Senators shut out Avs for fifth straight win

OTTAWA -- Patrick Roy was the goalie that drew the attention. He was also the only one to allow a goal.

Martin Havlat scored the game's only goal and Patrick Lalime made 21 saves in his second consecutive shutout as the Ottawa Senators beat the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 Thursday night.

It was the first time an Ottawa goalie earned back-to-back shutouts since Ron Tugnutt on April 2-3, 1997, and Lalime did it against Roy, his boyhood idol.

"It's fun, a 1-0 game," said Lalime, who hasn't allowed a goal in 130 minutes, 15 seconds of play. "It was a big battle. It's a little bit special (beating Roy), but it's five wins in a row and we've got to keep that going. We played real well and didn't give them a lot."

It was Roy's sixth attempt to record his 200th win with Colorado and become the NHL's first player to register 200 wins with two teams. Roy, the league's career win leader with 488, is 4-7-1 this season.

"It's difficult after every game to say things, but this team has to win a hockey game," Roy said. "I thought we had a chance. I know it's going to happen, and hopefully we won't have to wait that long."

Havlat scored with 2:41 left in the third period after he got around Colorado's Shjon Podein and beat Roy for his sixth goal.

"It's one of the best goals of my career," Havlat said. "I had the puck and nobody touched me. He is one of the best in the league. I had never scored against him, so it was nice."

Ottawa tied a franchise record with its fifth consecutive victory, while Colorado extended its winless streak to five games (0-4-1).

"Basically, it's the same sad story," said Colorado coach Bob Hartley, whose struggling Stanley Cup-champion club held a closed-door meeting after the game. "But we're not going to quit, that's for sure. Someone has to take charge."

Ottawa was all over the Avalanche in the scoreless and penalty-free first period, recording the game's first seven shots and outshooting Colorado 14-2 after 20 minutes.

"They jumped on us, we played a lot of hockey in our zone," Colorado forward Joe Sakic said.

Roy stopped Magnus Arvedson and then Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson on Arvedson's rebound with five minutes remaining in the period.

The Avalanche came out strong in the second period, recording the first five shots.

Colorado had three of four power plays during the second period, but neither team was able to score. Lalime made a great glove save on Chris Drury midway through the period.

A goal by Ottawa defenseman Sami Salo with 4:54 left in the third was waved off when it was ruled that Senators left winger Chris Herperger interfered with Roy.

Lalime, who grew up watching Roy play for the Montreal Canadiens, lost his only other complete game against him two seasons ago.

"We had good chances and Roy shut the door, that's why he's one of the best," Ottawa coach Jacques Martin said. "Lalime is confident out there, and that's the type of goaltending we need."

Notes: Colorado defenseman Adam Foote returned from the injured list after missing the first 16 games of the season because of a right shoulder injury.