The losing streak continues, as this team has simply been invisible through 4 games in November picking up a measly 1 point out of 8. This one was no different from the rest, except that the Red Wings just simply outplayed them in every way. Johan Franzen burns the avs every single time he plays them, and scored another hat trick against them. I didn't understand in anyway why Sacco went with 7 d tonight, not only did it screw up chemistry but it really messed up the forwards having to continuously shift players around. Regardless of the struggles, the avs d pairings have been solid and putting in the small Matt Hunwick was a huge weakness for them as he simply just shouldn't be playing. The only positives of this game was the play of young guns Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog, as Duchene has really found his game skating on the left wing. Duchene is no longer waiting for the puck, he is asserting himself in the game and making plays, the dangerous player we have come to love and admire over the past few seasons. Simply put the avs desperately need a change, and that needs to be either a trade or coaching change, or they will keep losing trades and give up a top 5 pick to Washington. After a 5-0 road trip to start the season, the avs are now 7-7-1 and at .500 for the first time, and if they don't fix the problem soon they will find themselves well below it after this month. After a hot start, Varlamov has struggled and simply isn't seeing the puck as well. While it is still early, I feel he still needs time to develop his rhythm as he is still new to the team. If the avs won't make a trade, then atleast name a captain and put someone in charge of this team (Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly or my choice Erik Johnson). While it is always fun to watch this rivalry, I'm getting sick of watching this team lose games that they should be in, and change is needed asap. Everytime the avs got back in the game, Detroit took control and calmed things down, as teams are figuring out how to stop the fast-paced avs. If the avs continue to play this way, Sacco has to get fired, and I have been a supporter of him from day 1 but he just isn't cutting it right now. It will be some time before Mueller comes back, and the avs need to get another top 6 forward asap.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Erik Johnson - The bright spot for the avs this season has been the defence chipping in offensively, and on the 2 goals tonight the avs d picked up 3 of 4 assists. Johnson had 1 assist in just over 23 minutes of work, and has asserted himself as the leader of the back-end which is why I believe he needs to be named captain
2. Gabriel Landeskog - The rookie continues his strong play, scoring his 5th career goal and first on the PP. He had 3 hits, and fired 5 shots on goal to lead the avs this season with 56 shots and 3rd in the league.
1. Matt Duchene - After a horrid start, Duchene has really heated up of late notching an assist for 6 points in his last 3 games. Duchene looks more comfortable on the wing, really finding his place on a line with Hejduk and Stastny and has been one of few good players for the avs this month so far. He now has 5 goals and 7 assists on the season
Misplay of the Game: Easy choice, Hunwick's soft cover in front of the net led to the 4th Wings goal. Simply put, Hunwick shouldn't even be in the lineup as 7 d was just silly, but he definitely played his way back to the press box after tonight (atleast I and many other avs fans hoped so)
Game #16 - The avs look to solve their home and November issues as the New York Islanders are in town Thursday night (@9pm).
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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