Colorado wrapped up its 8-game home-stand in style tonight, knocking off a team they can hardly ever beat in the Detroit Red Wings. Playing with 11 forwards and 7 d, the avs found themselves shorthanded in the third with Stastny gone to injury, but that still didn't stop them from winning. After falling behind 1-0 in a slow first period, the avs responded very well and dominated the 2nd and played great in the 3rd as well. Ryan O'Reilly got things started in the first minute of the 2nd, as Landeskog stripped Ian White behind the net and found a streaking O'Reilly who buried his 3rd goal in 3 games. Minutes later, Duchene threw the puck on net on the PP and Stastny knocked it home for a 2-1 lead and the first over Detroit in 3 games. In the 3rd, the Wings tied it up off of a Cleary tip, but that didn't get to Colorado. At the end of a PK (which besides the Franzen goal was amazing again tonight), Galiardi stripped Helm and fed Landeskog, who returned it to Gali to fire it in the net for the avs 4th SH goal of the season. After that, the avs calmed things down for the last 10 minutes until O'Reilly iced it with his 2nd of the night in the empty net. Ryan O'Reilly has been on a tear lately, and hes been a serious impact player on this team with 9 points in the last 5 games. With that being said, his line of Landeskog (who was equally as good if not better) and Hejduk were the best line on the ice once again. Matt Duchene also played a great game, while hes been in a little scoring slump recently (no goals in 6 games) he has been playing really well and getting tons of shots (6 again tonight). On defence, the avs saw Erik Johnson return and they dressed 7 d, however Stefan Elliot became the odd man out and really didn't play a lot besides the PP (didn't play in the 3rd). While I really think he deserves to stay, he made some costly turnovers tonight and found himself on the bench, but that is a good learning point for the young defense. Shane O'Brien was the best d on the home-stand, and he was particularly good on the defensive side tonight (also ringing one of the post as well). Semyon Varlamov had another stellar game, his 6th straight start (all allowing 2 or less goals). He has played well in all 3 games against Detroit this season, but he was at his best tonight especially on the PK. Overall a really impressive win for the avs, their third in a row, one that is probably the best complete game of the season.
Avalanche Three Stars:
Honourable Mentions - Haven't done this yet this season, but a few players that didn't crack the top 3 deserve it. Matt Duchene was flying all night, with 1 assist and 6 shots on goal he was creating chances and also playing good defence. T.J Galiardi also worked really hard all game, and it payed off with his goal
3. Semyon Varlamov - Semyon has really started to play his game, winning his 3rd straight game in his 6th straight start. He made 27 saves on 29 shots, and really played solid all night long (both goals not his fault)
2. Gabriel Landeskog - Really tough to choose between Landeskog and O'Reilly, but Landeskog was just phenomenal tonight. He was flying all around the ice, making plays on offensive but I think tonight was his best defensive game. He had 2 assists both off turnovers, and is really playing great hockey with Hejduk and O'Reilly
1. Ryan O'Reilly - There are so many good things I have to say about O'Reilly, and he keeps playing just unreal lately. After 3 and 2 point games, he scored another 2 goals and now leads the team with 21 points (6 goals 15 assists). He leads at all parts of the ice, a true "200 foot" hockey player that every coach loves to have. Since being put with Landeskog and Hejduk, the line has 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points in 3 games. I love everything that this line brings to the table, and they are really carrying this team right now in the midst of a 3 game winning streak. Give this guy the assistant captain already!
Play of the Game - Galiardi's SH goal gets it tonight, as he stripped Helm and had a beauty give and go with Landeskog before he buried it with the slapshot. Hard work tonight pays of for Gali
Game #27 - After finishing the home-stand 5-3, the avs take a 3-game winning streak to Vancouver in the first of a 3-game divisional road trip on Tuesday night (@10pm).
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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