Besides the fact that the avs won for a 6th straight game at home, there were a lot of little things to notice how much better the team has played. Behind J.S. Giguere the last 2 games, they held Washington and Philadelphia, 2 of the most offensive teams in the East, to three goals. Not that Varlamov hasn't played well, but Giguere plays with confidence and experience and it shows as the team really looks different with him in net. Giguere was stellar again tonight, stopping 31 of of 33 shots, but he kept the team going all game and stopped the Flyers offence most of the game. Despite two of my favourite players in Giroux and Pronger being out, it was incredible to watch Jaromir Jagr and how good he still is. This game should have ended in regulation, another last minute goal in a play Giguere had no chance. Regardless, the avs won in the shootout (as always) to improve to 6-0 in shootouts, as well as 6 straight games on home ice. The avs started the season so awful at home, but things have quickly changed and this team looks strong at home. On forward, the avs are finally getting a strong 1-2 punch upfront with the checking line doing their job, what a good hockey team always consists of. The O'Reilly Landeskog Hejduk line continues to be a strong line, with Landy scoring his 6th of the season, one that really got the team fired up. After trailing 1-0 late 1st and then tying halfway through the 2nd, the avs continued to play a defensive game . Late 2nd rookie Brad Malone, playing with McClement and Galiardi, threw it off a player then off Galiardi into the net. The checking line worked hard all game, especially TJ Galiardi who has really picked his play up. As well, Stastny Duchene and Winnik continue to cycle extremely well, with several good chances. On D, I can't say enough about Erik Johnson-Shane O'Brien pairing. While Johnson has come on strong since he came back (6 points in 5 games now), Shane O'Brien is playing the best hockey ive seen him play. He is confident defensively and uses his body, but i've never known him as an offensive player and he continues to step into the play and make the right decisions (with a beauty feed to Landeskog for his goal). As well, O'Byrne-Hejda was great in a shutdown role but Elliot-Hunwick has played real good the last 2 games. I continuously (along with many avs fans) got angy at Hunwick's play last year, but he seems more dedicated in getting a chance now, and he is playing his best hockey. It helps pairing with Elliot, who like Hunwick is fast and is a puck-moving defenceman. It is nice to see the avs play as a team, where every line adds somethng and they deserved the two points tonight.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Shane O'Brien - Perhaps his best game as an av, he was all over the ice tonight and made an outstanding feed to Landeskog for his goal. Paired with EJ the last few games, O'Brien has played some of his best goal and he was an impact tonight with 1 assist, +1, and 2 shots in just over 23 minutes.
2. Gabriel Landeskog - Was the best foward tonight, he was all over the ice on in every aspect, 5-on-5, PK and PP and played his best complete game. Despite slowing down on scoring, Landeskog has played extremely well in finding a role and has stuck with Ryan O'Reilly all season, and I think the two complement each other extremely well
1. J.S Giguere - Second straight game for Giggy, he was the best av on the ice once again. Giguere was always one of my favourite goalies growing up, and to see him enjoy the veteran role is really helping his young teammates. While Varlamov has been alright, in front of Giggy the team plays more defensively and really feeds off the reliability he brings.
Play of the Game - Easy choice, Landeskog's goal just a beautiful tick-tack-toe from EJ to O'Brien to Landeskog in front, who easily deked out Bryzgalov for the goal
Misplay of the Game - The failure to clear by Stastny led to the Flyers goal, uncharacteristic play by the usual outstanding defensive play of Paul.
Game #35 - The avs continue with the 4 game home-stand riding a 6 game home winning streak, as they face the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night (@930pm).
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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