Islanders come up empty in Colorado

DENVER (AP) -- Nathan MacKinnon scored his first two goals of the season and Semyon Varlamov stopped 40 shots for his 14th NHL shutout, lifting the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-0 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

Clockwise from top left, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon after his goal against the New York Islanders with defenseman Erik Johnson, left wing Gabriel Landeskog, of Sweden, and center Ryan O'Reilly in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MacKinnon, the 19-year-old reigning rookie of the year, has struggled to get on track this season. He scored both of his goals in the second period, one on a power play -- hopping up and down on his skates to celebrate -- and the other when he tipped a shot past goalie Chad Johnson.

Cody McLeod and Marc-Andre Cliche also netted their first goals of the season. Erik Johnson added another in the third period.

Varlamov was sharp against the Islanders, one of the NHL's highest scoring teams. It was his first shutout since April 5 at St. Louis.

Filed Under: New York Islanders