In a tight game with the streaking St. Louis Blues, the avs relied heavily on the line of O'Reilly Hejduk and Landeskog and man did they perform tonight (in particular O'Reilly). Despite facing 1-0 and 2-1 defecits, this line carried the avs and got them back into the game both times with goals from Hejduk and O'Reilly. In overtime, the avs were all over St. Louis and thought they had the winning goal off Ryan O'Byrne's stick before video review called it back (unbelievable save by Halak). O'Reilly flew into the zone and faked out the defence with a nifty move, and O'Byrne took the rebound and back-handed it on goal where it went off Halak's stick and up and over. It looked like (and was called) a goal, but upon review Halak got the glove back just in time in one of the best saves of the year. However, in the shootout the avs were 3-0 this season and continued that trend, only this time it was O'Reilly delivering with the shootout winning goal. Tonight was the first game back in Colorado for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk, and both played pretty well with Shattenkirk scoring and Stewart setting up Berglund's goal. With EJ out of the lineup, the only other piece of that trade playing against his former team was McClement and he played solid as well. The avs finally have back-to-back wins (their first since the 5-game road winning streak to open the season), and a big reason of that was Semyon Varlamov. After being benched at the beginning of the home-stand, Varlamov has really picked up his game and allowed 2 or less goals in 5-straight starts. He was stellar tonight, stopping 35 of 37 shots and all 3 in the shootout. Statistically this was a pretty even game, Blues outshot the avs 37-35 and won 27 of 49 faceoffs, but it was the avs who walked away with 2 points. On defence, I really felt that Ryan O'Byrne and Jan Hejda was the best pairing tonight, both who have had tough games recently but played really strong tonight. Despite being help pointless, Stefan Elliot had another strong game playing over 22 minutes and having several good chances. On forward, Coach Sacco finally seems to have consistent lines (atleast the top 2). Once again, O'Reilly Landeskog Hejduk were just phenomenal, best line on the ice for either team. I have talked a lot in the past about what Landeskog and Hejduk bring to the table (especially in terms of the cycle game) but Ryan O'Reilly deserves full credit for this game. He quietly has passed Duchene for the team leader in points after a 3-point game Wedesday and 2 points tonight, but he is leading in all places and in my opinion deserves an assistant captain. With the same lines as last game, Stastny Duchene and Jones were good again tonight, putting 12 shots on net (Duchene 6) and creating several good scoring chances. The other two lines of Winnik McClement Kobasew and Galiardi Yip and Porter were good, as back-to-back wins finally has Sacco keeping his lines together. The avs finally surrendered a PP goal, their first in 5 games as the PK has been phenomenal on the home-stand. Overall a great game and great performance by the avs.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Milan Hejduk - His line was the best on the ice tonight, and Hejduk is thriving playing with Landeskog and O'Reilly. He was a +2, with 1 goal and 6 shots on net as the avs forward has really played strong since being named captain (and on this line)
2. Semyon Varlamov - If it weren't for O'Reilly (I said this last game as well), Varlamov would be walking away with the first star. With that being said, he played very well once again tonight stopping 35 of 37 shots and really calming the storm in OT and the shootout. After playing poorly recently, and being benched, he has now started 5 straight and allowed 2 or less goals in each game
1. Ryan O'Reilly - Seems that putting Hejduk on his wing has really affected O'Reilly, as for the 2nd straight game he was the best av on the ice by far. A player known for his defensive side, he has really started playing amazing offensively and now leads the team with 19 points (4 goals and 15 assists) and 7 in his last 4 games. While I felt he has played amazing this year, I always have seen him as a mature player despite being 20, and he is really leading this young avs team of late (especially the last two games with Hejduk and Landeskog). This line will definitely be kept together, but I think that it is time O'Reilly wears an A as he deserves it more than anyone
Play of the Game - Both goals get it tonight, very similar plays as the O'Reilly Hejduk Landeskog line fought hard to keep the puck in and produced both avs goal. O'Reilly's shootout goal was equally nice and deserving as well
Misplay of the Game - The avs finally allowed a PP goal, their first since Marleau's empty netter 5 games ago. It came off the stick of former av Kevin Shattenkirk, but i felt their were no serious misplays tonight so it was good to note how strong the avs PK has been on the home-stand
Game #27 - The avs wrap up the 8-game home-stand (4-3 currently), and look to end it on a positive note vs. the rival Detroit Red Wings on Sunday (@8pm)
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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