What a complete team effort tonight against former avs netminder Craig Anderson, as everyone was chipping in en route to a 7-1 torching of the sens. Everything was going in the avs favour tonight, they scored goals, skated hard and played a complete team game, one in which Coach Sacco will be extremely thrilled about. The Avs got to an early 0-1 defecit, on a pp goal from Milan Michalek, but after that point they really took control. The powerplay finally woke up tonight, and man was it effective scoring 4 goals on 6 attempts (Hejduk, Duchene, Jones and Lindstrom all tallying goals). While they allowed 1 powerplay goal, their first of the season, they also were able to score their first short-handed goal by the stick of Daniel Winnik. The 7 avs goals in order were: Hejduk, Landeskog (gwg), Lindstrom, Duchene, Winnik, Jones and Lindstrom (2). With Peter Mueller taking the night off (given rest for back-to-back games to prevent injury), Joakim Lindstrom finally got a chance to prove his stuff and was he spectacular tonight - scoring twice including the 7th goal with an absolute rocket top cheese. Centre's Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny had their best games of the season, in particular Duchene who finally scored his first goal (while picking up an assist as well). Duchene is a force on the puck, not only is his speed and skill evident every time he has the puck, but he has developed some serious strength and really creates a tough match up for defenders trying to knock him off the puck. Four games in, this is the 4th time I have said this: the O'Reilly/Landeskog/Winnik line was absolutely the best line on the ice once again, as Landeskog scored his 2nd goal of his career (and picked up an assist), Winnik scoring shorthanded, and lastly Ryan O'Reilly picking up 3 helpers. I can't say enough good things about this line, they control the puck and cycle it so well, makes it so hard for the opposition to even get the puck from them. This is by far Coach Sacco's favourite line, as you already see his trust in the young Landeskog 4 games in - using him on the pp, short-handed and just trusting him with every situation. You'd think the 18 year old would get fazed by this much work, but Landeskog simply shows why he is NHL ready and him and O'Reilly is really turning into a dynamic duo (with Winnik pitching in and really making a scary good checking line). The defence played another tremendous game, with 3 of 6 defence picking up points - all assists (Johnson 2, Wilson 2, and O'Brien 1). It may be early, but the avs are just outworking every team they play, and their defence is a very important part of that because they are very tough - a part of last year's team that just was never evident. Simply put, the Avalanche dominated this game and former teammate Craig Anderson, firing 39 shots on goal to the Sens 16. While Giguere wasn't tested much, he was effective when called upon and he came away with his first W as an av. This by far was the best game of the season, as the avs solved their low scoring problems and pp problems in one. I was extremely impressed at Ryan Wilson's sticking up for Gabriel Landeskog, after he got absolutely flattened by Smith, Wilson stepped right in and dropped the gloves - excellent display of teamwork and just responsibility in stepping up for the young Gabriel. The avs have now won 3-straight on this season-high 5 game road trip, and Coach Sacco has to be smiling tonight.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Ryan O'Reilly - There are so many players to choose from tonight (I unfortunately am leaving Joakim Lindstrom off the 3 stars, but his 2 goals surely will keep him in the lineup), but O'Reilly really was a force all game long. His line was once again the best on the ice, and I really feel he is having a huge effect on the rise of Gabriel Landeskog
2. Gabriel Landeskog - Speaking of the young forward, he once again was one of the best (if not the best) player on the ice tonight. Landeskog is really coming into his own, as he scored for the second straight game and assisted on Duchene's goal. Coach Sacco is really putting trust into the 18-year old swede, and it is paying off nicely.
1. Matt Duchene - While I thought Dutchy has looked good in every avs game so far, tonight he was simply at his best. He finally was able to score, roofing one past former teammate Craig Anderson and also picking up an assist. Duchene is really developing into a superstar, as he is simply dominant with the puck and showcases speed that only a few in the NHL can compare to. Not only that, but Duchene has learned how to be a complete player by becoming great on face-offs but most importantly chipping in defensively
Play of the Game: So many goals to pick from, but for me Duchene's first of the season was an absolute beauty. O'Reilly and Landeskog dug for the puck down low, and eventually got it out front to a wide open Duchene who patiently waited for Anderson to go down and roofed it top corner
Game #5 - The Avalanche look to make it 4 road wins in a row when they meet the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday (@7pm)
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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