Derek Stepan and Oscar Lindberg scored 21 seconds apart in the second period, helping the New York Rangers beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Friday night for their fourth straight win.

Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves as the Rangers improved to 14-2 on the road against Western Conference teams dating to last season.

Nathan MacKinnon scored a power-play goal for the Avalanche, who have dropped four of their last five contests. They begin a seven-game trip Tuesday.

Colorado was cruising along with a 1-0 lead until the second period, when Stepan scored on a power play. Moments later, Lindberg scored again by banking in a sharp side-angle shot off Reto Berra.

Berra was pulled with around 1:47 remaining for an extra skater, only to have Lundqvist turn back shot after shot.

The Avalanche went on the power play with 5:18 remaining after Kevin Klein sent the puck over the glass on a clear attempt. They never really threatened Lundqvist.

Lundqvist now has 19,397 career saves for the Rangers in the regular season and playoffs. He's eight saves away from breaking the franchise mark held by Mike Richter (19,404).

Lindberg is off to quite the start for New York, leading all NHL rookies with seven goals. His goal off Berra was remarkable, considering there was no angle to make the shot, but he still found a way to knock it in off the pads of Berra.

Alex Tanguay left late in the second period after being hit by Lindberg in the corner. Lindberg drew a tripping penalty, but the Avalanche couldn't convert. Tanguay briefly returned in the third period before leaving for the night with a knee injury.

Rick Nash didn't play because balky back that tightened up on him in practice. Coach Alain Vigneault told reporters before the game that he thought the injury was minor. Nash has one goal and five assists this season.

MacKinnon appeared to hurt his right hand/thumb late in a 4-2 loss at Arizona on Thursday. But he looked just fine on his sixth goal of the season. He used a nifty cut to shake free of defenseman Dan Girardi, then unleased a wrist shot that trickled under the glove of Lundqvist.

It was Colorado's 10 power play goal at home, which leads the league.

Berra stopped 11 shots in the opening 20 minutes as he started for Semyon Varlamov, who was given the night off.

NOTES: Rangers D Ryan McDonagh had two assists. ... New York scratched D Dan Boyle. ... Colorado F John Mitchell missed a third straight game with an oblique injury. ... Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire is the brother of Avalanche goalie coach Francois Allaire.

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