Game #34 - Colorado 1, Nashville 0 (OT)

Avs F Matt Duchene celebrates with D Tyson Barrie after his OT winner

The Avs have had a hard time of late, winning only 2 of their last 10 games (including 2 4-game losing streaks) and really playing a bad stretch of hockey in March. However, a stellar performance from Semyon Varlamov lead the way today, and the Avs won their 2nd 1-0 game of the season after Tyson Barrie got the OT winner (David Jones scored in OT to win 1-0 vs. the Blues for the other). The Avs still sit at 15th in the West at 28 points, 8 points out of the 8th playoff spot. While it certainly is doable, the bad stretch of games has put the Avs into prime position for a top 3 pick in the draft, and as much as I can't cheer for them to lose as a die-hard fan at this point id rather them go for the draft pick then try to make the playoffs and miss them while also getting a worse pick. This game was very similar to the one vs. St. Louis, with Varlamov bailing out his team with several big saves and neither team being able to score. The Avs headed to OT with some momentum, and in the extra session just 50 seconds in Tyson Barrie converted on a rebound off Greg Zanon's point shot (first decent shot Zanon has hit the net with all season??) past Rinne for the winner (only his 2nd NHL goal, both vs the Preds). Besides Varlamov, another big positive for the Avs was the PK, going 6/6 tonight and really doing a great job. The stats in the game were as follows: The Predators outshot the Avs 34-24, the Avs won 31 of 57 faceoffs, The Avs outhit them 15-7 and the shotblocks were 18-17 for the Avs (Jan Hejda a game high 6).

Three Stars:
3. Pekka Rinne - Rinne wasn't the busiest goalie in the game, but he made some big saves including one on Matt Duchene on a 2 on 1 at the end of the 1st. Rinne made 23 saves on 24 shots in the loss
2. Tyson Barrie - Barrie scored the OT goal in the game, which also happened to be the only goal. Besides the goal, Barrie was active and effective at both ends of the ice
1. Semyon Varlamov - By far the best player on the ice for either team, Varlamov stood on his head today and stole the game. He made 34 saves for his 3rd shutout of the season

Avalanche Play of the Game - Barrie's OT goal gets it tonight, all set up by the offensive work of Matt Duchene and PA Parenteau on the 4-on-4

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Defensive coverage infront of Varlamov was just brutal today, as was the case most games this season. The Avs defence allow players too much room near the net, and Varlamov bailed them out today more then 5 times. In particular Hunwick O'Byrne and Zanon are all brutal in the defensive zone

Game #35 - The Avs head on the road for back-to-back games, the first against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night (@730pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #33 - Vancouver 4, Colorado 1

The final score does not say everything about this game, despite losing by 3 goals the Avs outplayed the Canucks for most of the game. A late goal by Daniel Sedin and 2 empty net goals sent the Canucks to victory, but the Avs had their chances. The Canucks got goals from Burrows, D.Sedin, H.Sedin and Higgins while Duchene scored the lone goal for the Avs. Cory Schneider had a great game for Vancouver, stopping 32-33 shots. The stats were as follows: Avs outshot them 33-18. Avs won 23 of 40 faceoffs, Avs had 14 blocked shots to the Canucks 15, and Avs outhit them 25-14

Three Stars:
3. PA Parenteau - Along with Duchene the best Avs players on the ice, Parenteau set up Duchene's goal
2. Daniel Sedin - Scored the GWG, and added an assist
1. Cory Schneider - Won the game for the Canucks

Game #34 - The Avs play at home next, in a day game vs. the Nashville Predators on Saturday (@3pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #32 - Calgary 4, Colorado 3

Another tough loss for the Avs, their 3rd in a row and 7th in the last 8 games. Another horrible start and bad defensive showing by the Avs, who continue to leave Varlamov out to dry (O'Byrne and Zanon in particular tonight). You gotta feel for this team, cause they are scoring offensively and Varlamov is playing good, the defence is just atrocious and makes them so much worse. The Flames got goals from Hudler, Begin and Cammalleri scored twice while McGinn Landeskog and O'Reilly scored for Colorado. The Avs had another great 3rd period, but a slow first period cost them bigtime. At this point I don't mind the team losing, brings them closer to a top 3 pick in the draft, but as a fan I still want to see them win and its very frustrating. The stats were as follows: Colorado outshot them 30-27, Colorado won 39 of 69 faceoffs, Colorado out-hit them 23-14 and the Flames had 19 blocked shots to the Avs 12

Three Stars:
3. Steve Begin - Veteran scored the 2nd goal for the Flames
2. Ryan O'Reilly - O'Reilly was one of few Avs playing good tonight (him Parenteau Duchene Landeskog), scoring a goal and adding an assist
1. Mike Cammalleri - Cammy scored 2 goals, including the game winner, and was the best player on the ice

Game #33 - The Avalanche play next in Vancouver, where they meet the Canucks tonight (@10pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #31 - Vancouver 3, Colorado 2

I missed the entire game with my own hockey, but I wasn't expecting the Avs to win, they have trouble against the Canucks. Although after seeing the highlights it was a close game, and the Avs got screwed on the clock screw-up at the end of the game that would have kept them on the PP after making it 3-2. Vancouver got goals from Garrison Raymond and Burrows while McGinn and Parenteau scored for the Avs. The stats were as follows: Canucks outshot the Avs 30-28, Avs won 33 of 58 faceoffs, Avs outhit them 28-15 and had 18 blocked shots to the Canucks 10.

Three Stars:
3. Alex Burrows - Scored the game-winning goal
2. PA Parenteau - Best Avalanche on the ice, scoring his 14th of the season and adding his 17th assist
1. Mason Raymond - Scored a nice goal on a great individual effort, his 9th of the season, and was the best Canuck on the ice

Game #32 - The Avs play the first of back-to-back games on the road, against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night (@10)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #30 - Dallas 5, Colorado 2

Dallas took advantage of a sloppy Avs team and got revenge from a few nights ago, as they won 5-2 tonight after losing 4-3 to the Avs. Colorado is playing some very uninspiring hockey, with the shortened season playoffs are now out of the question and they need to be looking to the draft/free agency. Colorado sits at last in the West at 26 points, 2 ahead of Florida for last in the NHL. They can look forward to the idea of getting a top 3 pick, either Seth Jones Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin but preferably Jones to help the Avs awful D. Stars goals were scored by Derek Roy, Jordie Benn (1st NHL goal), Eric Nystrom, Cody Eakin and Jaromir Jagr while Parenteau and Stastny scored for the Avs.

Three Stars:
3. Jordie Benn - 1st NHL goal for the brother of Jamie Benn
2. Derek Roy - Got the scoring started in the first minute, and also had an assist
1. Jaromir Jagr - Goal and an assist for Jagr, I love watching him play hes still so good at his age

Game #30 - The Avs play again tomorrow, when the Vancouver Canucks are in town (@8pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #29 - Colorado 4, Dallas 3

Avs players Chuck Kobasew and Matt Hunwick celebrate with Gabriel Landeskog after his short-handed goal

The losing streak is over, the Avs had a big 3rd period and was able to win a game after losing 4 straight before tonight. The Stars controlled the better part of this game, and the Avs dug deep in the 3rd getting 2 goals to steal 2 points, something that Dallas did last time the teams met (Dallas won 3-2). The first period saw both teams get several chances, but the Stars scored twice with the ageless Jaromir Jagr and Trevor Daley scoring for the Stars (shots 13-10 for the Avs). The Avs game out in the 2nd playing hard, and responded with two second period goals. First Mark Olver got his 3rd of the season, as Olver has been a healthy scratch lately he responded big tonight. Gabriel Landeskog would then tie the game, his 4th straight game with a goal, and also it was short-handed again. However with 4 minutes left in the 2nd, the Stars got a turnover in the Avs zone and Ray Whitney beat a sprawling Varlamov to put hte Stars up 3-2 heading into the 3rd (Shots were 14-12 Avs). The Avs didn't let up in this game, and they came out firing in the 3rd period. 6 minutes in Ryan O'Reilly would tie the game, beating Kari Lehtonen short-side. Both teams traded chances until late in the game, and the Avs got the huge break they have been needing over this losing streak. As Matt Hunwick threw the puck on net, it hit Stars D-Man Stephane Robidas in the face and he went down in pain. As the puck laid right near the net, Kobasew scooped it up and beat Lehtonen right along the ice with just under 4 minutes left. The Avs were able to win the game thanks to Semyon Varlamov in net, and a huge game from 4th liners Chuck Kobasew and Mark Olver. Coach Sacco has taken a lot of heat after the 4 game losing streak, and bench Jamie McGinn and David Jones for tonight not only created a spark but also set a stern message to his players. The Avs were lucky to steal 2 points here, and still remain tied for last with 26 points (6 points out of playoff spot with 19 remaining). While it isn't impossible, it doesn't look like the Avs will make the playoffs and at what point do you shutdown to try and get Seth Jones? For now as an Avs fan I can't cheer for them to win, hopefully this is the start of a stretch for the Avs. The stats were as follows: Avs outshot the Stars 34-32, Avs won 27 of 56 faceoffs, Avs had 23 hits to the Stars 10 and the Avs had 18 blocked shots to the Stars 8 (Erik Johnson game high 6 blocks). The Avs had solid penalty killing once again, killing all 6 Stars PPs.

Three Stars:
3. Ryan O'Reilly - O'Reilly continued his strong play since his return, getting his 3rd of the season which tied the game in the 3rd
2. Jaromir Jagr - The ageless Jagr had a strong game for the Stars, with a goal and 2 assists in over 20 minutes of icetime. Don't get to watch Jagr vs. the Avs often, but when I do I just admire how good he stills is
1. Chuck Kobasew - Kobasew had a huge part in the Avs win, getting the GWG and adding an assist while also being a +4. Kobasew had a big boost with Mark Olver back in the lineup, and it was great to see the depth players scoring clutch goals

Avalanche Play of the Game - Ryan O'Reilly's goal gets it tonight, great shot short-side and really big goal to tie the game

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - The Stars 3rd goal was brutal by all 5 players on the ice, leaving Ray Whitney wide open as Varlamov was out of position, just a terrible play almost cost the Avs

Game #30 - The bad blood of tonight will spill over into the next game, a rematch in Dallas vs. the Stars on Saturday night (@8pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #28 - Chicago 5, Colorado 2

Same old story for the Avs, a slow start and a number of defensive miscues leading to another loss, this time their 4th in a row. The Hawks deserved this game, they owned the Avs from the start to the finish. The Hawks got goals from Hayes (1st NHL goal), Shaw, Kane, Seabrook and Toews while Landeskog (3rd straight game with a goal) and Hejduk scored for the Avs. The Avs just didn't get enough shots, they had good zone time just weren't getting pucks through and got outshot 32-19. On defence they were a complete mess, just an awful effort and left Varlamov out to dry. Big changes are coming in Colorado, whether that is Joe Sacco or GM Greg Sherman, but changes are coming. Not a positive time for the Avs, the season is all but over and are looking towards the draft (Seth Jones please!)

Three Stars:
3. Gabriel Landeskog - 3rd straight game with a goal for Landy, he was one of few players on the Avs skating tonight
2. Patrick Kane - Kane had a goal and 2 assist, and really dominated the Avs tonight
1. Jonathan Toews - Toews was the best player on the ice tonight, getting a goal and 2 assists like his teammate Kane

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Hejda's turnover leading to the first Hawks goal, just brutal and led to another bad start

Avalanche Play of the Game - Landeskog's goal gets it tonight, one of few bright spots for the Avs

Game #29 - The Avs look to snap their losing streak with the 1st of a home-and-home with the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night (@930pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #27 - Minnesota 6, Colorado 4

Another slow start and another big loss, this one the Avs 3rd in a row, and suddenly a team that was surging for a playoff spot is now at the bottom of the Western Conference. The Avs had a terrible 1st period, allowing goals from Suter, Setoguchi, Clutterbuck and Brodziak and getting 1 from John Mitchell to make it 4-1. The Avs came out hard in the 2nd, and goals from Parenteau and Landeskog got them within 1. However, another bad defensive play lead to a wild goal, as a turnover from Landeskog lead to Bouchard's goal to make it 5-3. The Wild would put it away as Setoguchi got his 2nd of the game, and Kobasew scored in the dying minutes to make it 6-4. Just a terrible game from the Avs, one that certainly puts Coach Joe Sacco on the hotseat. An awful defensive game from everyone but Shane O'Brien on defence, and on offence they just couldn't beat Backstrom at the right time as they had their chances. The stats were as follows: shots 32 to 28 Colorado, Avs won 31 of 66 faceoffs, Avs had 25 hits to the Wild 19 and 14 blocked shots to the Wild 10.

Three Stars:
3. Matt Duchene - Best player on the ice for the Avs, got 2 assists tonight to put him to a team-leading 30 points
2. Pierre-Marc Bouchard - PMB got a goal and an assist, scoring the game-winning goal and setting up the clincher
1. Devin Setoguchi - Setoguchi had 2 goals and an assist, and was the game's 1st star

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - There were several bad ones today, but the Landeskog turnover lead to the game-winning goal and stopped all of the Avs momentum. Landeskog was trying to do a little too much, not his fault

Avalanche Play of the Game - Landeskog's goal gets it today, great setup by Duchene

Game #28 - The Avs look to get something going on the 2nd game of a 3-game home-stand against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night (@9pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #26 - Minnesota 5, Colorado 3

I missed this game, so I only saw highlights. But once again the Avs just played terrible, especially in the 2nd period which was the problem vs the Oilers as well. The Avs have taken a serious spiral after back-to-back impressive wins over the Hawks and Sharks, and are trending towards a high draft pick instead of the playoffs. Minnesota goals were scor ed by Torrey Mitchell, Devin Setoguchi, Jonas Brodin, and Mikko Koivu scored twice while PA Parenteau scored twice for the Avs as well as Gabriel Landeskog. The Wild outshot the Avs 39-32, the Avs won 37 of 61 faceoffs, Wild had 17 hits to the Avs 15 and the Avs had 20 blocked shots to the Wild's 14

Three Stars:
3. PA Parenteau - scored 2 goals for the Avs, and was there best player
2. Ryan Suter - logged a game-high 24:26 of icetime and got 3 assists, very strong game
1. Mikko Koivu - the Wild captain scored the last 2 goals for the Wild, the game-winning goal and the empty-netter

Game #27 - The Avs head home for a rematch against the Wild, where they play a day game on Saturday (@3pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #25 - Edmonton 4, Colorado 0

Its amazing how inconsistent the Avs can play, after 2 great back to back wins vs. the Hawks and Sharks they were lifeless against a mediocre Oilers team. The Avs started out strong, pushing the pace for the 1st period until the unlucky bounce led to Horcoff scoring the 1st goal. From then it was all Oilers, just a terrible game really not a lot to write about. 4-0 Oilers, goals from Horcoff, Gagner, Paajarvi and Nugent-Hopkins, and Dubnyk made 36 saves for the shutout. It is games like this that really frustrate Avs fans, and in particular I hate Sacco's inability to adjust to games when things are going wrong. He is just a terrible coach, and he needs to get fired while Lindy Ruff remains available

Three Stars:
3. Sam Gagner - 1 goal 1 assist for Gagner
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Nuge had a goal and a strong game for Edmonton
1. Devan Dubnyk - 36 saves for the shutout

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Refs for calling of Hejda's goal, the game should have been 3-1 and the refs made a brutal call, Landeskog was outside the blue paint and didn't touch Dubnyk

Game #26 - The Avs look to rebound with a home-and-away series vs the Wild, starting on Thursday night in Minnesota (@8pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #24 - Colorado 3, San Jose 2 (OT)

The Colorado Avalanche celebrate Matt Duchene's OT goal (0.2 seconds left)

Matt Duchene 0.2 seconds left in OT! What a game, what a finish, Avs get revenge against a Sharks team who has got the better of them so far this season. I missed the 2nd period and first half of the 3rd at my own floor hockey playoffs (6-5 win last minute goal), but from what I saw of the game the Avs played a very strong game. The Avs newlook powerplay got things started in the first, as a nice play by Ryan O'Reilly to knock the Sharks clearing attempt out of mid air set up the goal. O'Reilly fed Landeskog who faked his shot and found Parenteau behind the net, he found a streaking Matt Duchene through traffic who fired it past Niemi for his 10th of the season. The Avs would finish the first with 15 shots to San Jose's 10, which is very good considering the Sharks usually dominate them in shots. In the 2nd both teams traded goals, as Ryan O'Reilly tipped in a Palushaj pass for a 2-0 lead 7 minutes in. The Sharks would respond in the last minute, as Patrick Marleau tipped home his 13th of the season off a Justin Braun shot. Marleau has been an Av-killer in the past, scoring big goals and this one was huge (Sharks outshot the Avs 16-9 in the 2nd). The 3rd period the Avs had some chances but started to sit back near the end of the period, taking a few penalties and luckily being rewarded by their hard-working penalty-kill (most-notable a Landeskog shot-block). However the Sharks had several good chances, and it was only a matter of time before they capitalized. With under 4 minutes left in the 3rd, Matt Hunwick made a lazy clearing attempt and Kobasew couldn't get the puck out, as Joe Thornton stole the puck. Jumbo Joe only needs a split second to make his pass, and he found an open Logan Couture who blasted one past Varlamov for the 2-2 tie. The game would go to overtime, where it was an absolute furious pace and a great finish. The teams traded chances, first with Duchene on a breakaway, then Vlasic with a wide open shot set up by Marleau, a diving Landeskog caught Marleau off his feet and away from the net, which was huge. Marleau alone on Varlamov could have been the game, but it was Vlasic and Varlamov stepped up and made a big save. The Avs would get a few offensive zone faceoffs in the last minute, and they were really pressing for the winner. The clock was ticking down and PA Parenteau made a rush with 15 seconds left, putting a shot right on net for a faceoff with 10 seconds left. Duchene won the faceoff over Joe Pavelski and went straight to the net, as Hunwick setup Hejda off the faceoff but his shot was blocked. Parenteau corralled the rebound and carried the puck to the blueline and passed it to off to Jan Hejda, who gave it back to PA Parenteau at the top of the blueline he let a shot go, and Duchene got the rebound and put it past Niemi for the OT winner with 0.2 seconds left. What a game, what a performance by Duchene (what else is new?), not just the best Avalanche on the ice but by far the best for either teams. Duchene scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season, both from PA Parenteau, and he now has a team-high 11 goals, 15 assists and 26 points (Parenteau 10 goals and 15 assists). Semyon Varlamov had a really strong game, as he made 36 saves on 38 shots including a huge glove save on Couture late in the 3rd. The stats were as follows: Avs outshot them 42-38, The Sharks won 32 of 79 faceoffs (Sharks won 59%, but Duchene went 19 for 30 with the most faceoff wins by 7), both teams had 12 blocked shots, and the Avs outhit them 19 to 9 (Bordeleau and Mitchell game high 4 each). Overall a great game, and a great stretch of game the Avs have played with back-to-back wins against the Sharks and Hawks, and really close losses to the Hawks and Wings before that. A very important 2 points for the Avs, who now find themselves at 10-10-4 with 24 points, 3 points out of a playoff spot with 1 game in hand.

Three Stars:
3. PA Parenteau - Parenteau had a great game, collecting 2 assists including setting up the OT winner. Parenteau played 21:42 of icetime, and is scoring at a point-per-game pace (25 points in 24 games)
2. Semyon Varlamov - Varly had another stellar game, and really weathered the storm the entire game for the Avs. He made 36 saves on 38 shots, and kept the Avs in it to get 2 points
1. Matt Duchene - What a phenomenal game by Duchene, 2 goals which were the opening goal of the game and the game winner. Duchene played a team-high 22:44 of icetime, getting 2 goals with 5 shots and 19 faceoff wins, including the clutch one at the end leading to his winner. Duchene has been by far the best player for the Avs this season, and tonight was by far the best on the ice period

Avalanche Play of the Game - Matt Duchene's winner gets it tonight, everything about the play: Duchene wins the draw, Parenteau gets the puck to the net and Duchene beats the buzzer, so clutch

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Combined turnover of Hunwick/Kobasew leading to Couture's tying goal, just a soft play all around

Game #25 - The Avs look to cap off a perfect home-stand after wins vs. Chicago and San Jose, as they play the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night (@9pm)

Avs Forwards PA Parenteau, Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny celebrate Duchene's 1st period powerplay goal

Matt Duchene celebrates his 10th goal of the season

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #23 - Colorado 6, Chicago 2

Avs forwards Ryan O'Reilly and Matt Duchene celebrate O'Reilly's 1st goal of the season

THE STREAK IS OVER! THE STREAK IS OVER! THE STREAK IS OVER! What a game by the Avalanche, they are the first team to beat he Hawks in regulation this season (now 21-1-3). The Avs got burned in Chicago 2 nights ago, with a last minute goal sending the Hawks to a 3-2 win and leaving the Avs heading home after a dismal road trip. The Avs outplayed the Hawks 2 nights ago and came up empty, but that wasn't the case tonight. The Hawks got things going in the 1st, after a terrible give-away by Hunwick Toews would put them up 1-0 (2nd goal in as many games against the Avs). After a sloppy start the Avs would fight back, and they really pushed the pace the last 10 minutes of the 1st. On the PP late in the period, Ryan O'Reilly saved a puck at the blueline and fed PA Parenteau who quickly hit Duchene at the point, and Dutchy fired a slap-pass to Paul Stastny who tipped it past Crawford for the 1-1 tie. The Avs would outshoot the Hawks 10-6 in the 1st, and really looked to carry that momentum into the 2nd, and did they ever. Matt Duchene got things going for the Avs, as he took an Erik Johnson feed and roofed a backhand past Crawford for the 2-1 lead (Johnson playing in his 1st game back from a concussion, where he missed 11 games). Just 33 seconds later the Avs took a 3-1 lead, as Ryan O'Reilly made another great play and found John Mitchell who beat Crawford for his 8th goal of the season. Back on the PP at the midway point of the period, the Avs went up 4-1 as a clean faceoff win by Stastny went to Duchene, who teed it up for Ryan O'Reilly who fired a rocket past Crawford for his 1st of the season. A few minutes later the Avs would go up 5-1, thanks to another great play by Matt Duchene who hustled to a loose puck and fed McGinn out front, who roofed it past Crawford for the 4th Avs goal of the period. The Avs took a commanding 5-1 lead into the 3rd, and didn't let up as both teams had good chances (Emery was now in net for the Hawks). The Hawks would get one back as Bryan Bickell beat Varlamov with a shot, but that was as close as the Hawks would get. On a late 4-on-4 PA Parenteau took a great Paul Stastny feed and beat Emery for the 6-2 lead. Late in the game Gabriel Landeskog had a great shift and threw a big hit on Brent Seabrook, and Bickell retaliated and tried to fight Landy, dropping the gloves in the first place. Landeskog has no business fighting that goon, and he just got back from a concussion, just a disrespectful play by Bickell and the Avs took exception and defended their captain. The Avs would end with a 6-2 win, with "END OF STREAK" chants filling the Pepsi Center, what a game. The stats were as follows: Shots were 33-31 Hawks, Avs won 36 of 55 faceoffs (65%), Avs outhit them 21-12 and had 20 shotblocks to the Hawks 13. A quiet but solid performance by Semyon Varlamov in net, who was overshadowed by 6 different Avs forwards with a goal. A big difference tonight was the powerplay, where the Avs had their first game with more then 1 PPG. The Avs went with a new-look 1st unit with 5 forwards, Stastny Parenteau Landeskog upfront with Duchene and O'Reilly on the Point. The 1st unit got goals from Stastny and O'Reilly, going 2-4 and looking a lot better then at any point this season. Erik Johnson had a solid game in his return from concussion, with 1 assist +4 1 hit and 1 blocked shot in  19:04 of icetime. With a healthy Johnson and Ryan Wilson close to returning, the Avs are starting to get healthy and look to go on a run. Overall just a fantastic game, and a great streak is over, with the Hawks 24 game unbeaten in regulation streak OVER.

Three Stars:
3. Ryan O'Reilly - O'Reilly had his strongest game since returning to the Avs, scoring a goal and an assist, as well as playing a huge part on the Avs 1st goal. O'Reilly won 11 of 16 faceoffs and 9 shots on goal in 18:24 of icetime
2. PA Parenteau - Parenteau had another big game, with a goal and 2 assists and really a solid overall game. Parenteau has formed great chemistry with Matt Duchene, and he now has 10 goals and 13 assists on the season, 2nd best on the Avs
1. Matt Duchene - What a performance by Duchene, he seems to be getting better by the day and tonight was perhaps his best game of the season. Duchene had a goal and 3 assists, 4 points in total and really had a  great game on the PK as well. Duchene was by far the best player on the ice tonight, as he usually has been this season, and really had a big part in ending the Hawks streak

Avalanche Play of the Game - Ryan O'Reilly's goal gets it tonight, just a fabulous shot and a great setup by Duchene and Stastny

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Probably about one of the only mistakes the Avs made, but Hunwick's turnover leading to the Toews opening goal gets it tonight, just a brutal start and horrible turnover

Game #24 - After ending the Hawks streak the Avs play game #2  of a 3-game home-stand against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night (@8pm)

Avs PP celebrates Ryan O'Reilly's 1st goal of the season (Duchene Parenteau Stastny Landeskog O'Reilly)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #22 - Chicago 3, Colorado 2

A heartbreaking loss for the Avs, they played a great game for 59 minutes but a defensive lapse in the last minute cost them 2 big points. The Hawks opened the scoring on PP, as Andrew Shaw tipped in the Seabrook point shot to put them up 1-0. However the Avs would respond late in the 1st, Mitchell took the Kobasew feed and deked to his backhand, beating Emery for goal. The Avs would pick up their play in the 2nd, and thanks to a few big saves from Varlamov (especially on Sharp) the Avs would take a 2-1 lead as Duchene banked it in off Emery from behind the net. The Avs would go into the 3rd up 2-1, and they would get a PP as Duchene was taken down on a breakaway. I thought it would have for sure been a penalty shot, and almost would have rathered one then how bad the Avs PP has been, and it cost them as Toews would score shorthanded (albeit after McGinn had the stick slashed right out of his hand, very similar to what Corey Perry did to them in Anaheim). Both teams would get their chances, but the Hawks scored with a minute left to put them up 3-2 and win the game. Really tough game for the Avs, they outplayed the Hawks for the better part of the game and got some unlucky bounces.

Three Stars:
3. Matt Duchene - Duchene had a goal in just over 19 minutes of work, and was the best Avs forward
2. Brent Seabrook - Seabrook and Keith had a big game, but it was Seabrook's big hit that led to the PP for the 1st goal, which he got an assist on
1. Jonathan Toews - By far the best player in the game, Toews was all over the ice and he scored a big game-tying goal

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Greg Zanon's wreckless play behind his own net leading to the game winning goal, just can't happen

Avalanche Play of the Game - Semyon Varlamov's huge pad save on Sharp, which led to Duchene scoring 9 seconds later

Game #23- The Avs regroup and get another shot at the Blackhawks, as they play them at home this time on Friday night (@9pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #21 - Detroit 2, Colorado 1

It was not your typical Red Wings-Avs game, but typical storylines headlined the game as Franzen's goal and a bounce off the end-boards were the difference in a close hockey game. The Red Wings have dominated the Avs in the post-Sakic era, and no one more than Johan Franzen who seems to score every game. After a scoreless 1st period, Franzen opened the scoring with a perfect shot on a breakaway, a beautiful pass from Damien Brunner (who really impressed me tonight). The Wings would go up 2-0 at the end of the period, as Niklas Kronwall's slapshot went off the end-boards and off Giguere's skate into the net, a typical Detroit-bounce. This was a big goal, because the Avs came out hard in the 3rd just couldn't beat Jimmy Howard. The Avs finally got a goal with a minute 30 left, with 6 skaters Stastny put in a rebound. The Avs would continue to be 6-on-5, and had several chances including Duchene with 6 seconds left, but would lose 2-1. The Avs fought hard, just couldn't buy a goal as Parenteau, Duchene and Mitchell all had great chances in the 3rd. The Avs outshot the Wings 37-33, won 25 of 46 faceoffs and had 27 hits to Detroit's 19. The Avs really didn't play a bad game, but a sour ending and disappointing game.

Three Stars:
3. J.S Giguere - Giguere played very solid in net, allowing 2 goals on 33 shots and really making some key saves to keep the Avs in the game
2. Pavel Datsyuk - Man do I enjoy watching this guy, he had an assist tonight and really played a very strong game. I completely admire his game, his work ethic is outstanding and you just sit back and are in awe sometimes of what he does on a regular basis
3. Jimmy Howard - Howard played fantastic in net, the reason the Wings won. He made 36 saves on 37 shots, and really was outsanding

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Stefan Elliot had a few bad turnovers, but his shot that got blocked in the 2nd lead to the Franzen goal, he needs to get that puck through

Avalanche Play of the Game - Giguere's save on Franzen, it was a huge glove save and game-saver at the time in the 3rd.

Game #22 - The Avs finish up the 3-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks, who are undefeated in regulation at 20-0-3. The Avs look to be the first team to beat them in regulation, as they play them in the first of back-to-back games (in Chicago Wednesday and Colorado Friday) tomorrow night (Wednesday @8pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #20 - Columbus 2, Colorado 1 (OT)

This game was Anaheim all over again, terrible fucking reffing that makes me sick to my stomach. I actually can't believe how inconsistent the reffing has been this season, and this is twice in 4 games that the Avs have been robbed of points thanks to questionable officiating. However, the Avs didn't deserve this game, one of the poorest efforts of the season. The only bright spot was O'Reilly returning to action, however tipping the tying goal into his own net wasn't exactly a great start. Parenteau put the Avs up 1-0 on a floater in the 2nd, and the Jackets would tie it in the 3rd on their 2nd 5-on-3 of the game. Anisimov would get the OT winner, on another PP, and the Avs would get 1 point. The refs made several bad calls, leading to 2 5-on-3s and a PP in OT. The refs called 6 penalties on the Avs, and only 3 on Columbus, also missing several clear penalties (Mackenzie head shot on Hejduk, Tyutin bowling over Varlamov and the hit from behind on Landeskog. Yet the refs choose to call a penalty in OT on a terrible call, I can't explain how frustrated I am right now. The NHL needs to deal with their reffing in the next meeting, simply put it is the worst I have ever seen in my life right now. I think this game has put Sacco on the hot seat, just a dismal effort from his team and he didn't do anything to change it. Sacco needs to get fired, and Lindy Ruff should be hired asap.

Three Stars:
3. Vinny Prosal - Got the tying goal, albeit a lucky bounce, that sent the game to OT
2. Semyon Varlamov - Varly was the only Av who showed up sunday, Making 32 saves on 34 shots
1. Artem Anisimov - Got the OW winner, no 1 player really stood out in this game

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Refs, refs, refs. Just fucking brutal, I am extremely angry and am seriously questioning the level of officiating in the NHL

Avalanche Play of the Game - Parenteau's goal, it wasn't pretty but really only the positive thing from the offence.

Game #21 - The Avs continue their 3-game road trip, meeting the rival Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night (@730pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #19 - Colorado 5, Calgary 4

Avalanche forwards Matt Duchene and PA Parenteau celebrate Duchene's game-winning goal in the 3rd period

Talk about the idea of momentum, how much it can affect a team and how often it can change is something that shows how good the level of hockey is in the NHL. The Avs started with no energy, with no help from a dismal "lifeless" crowd and saw the Flames score just over 4 minutes in and then again 33 seconds later to take a 2-0 lead 5 minutes in (Bouwmeester and Cammalleri). The Avs had started slowly on a regular basis this season, and it looked even worse when the Avs learned earlier today that unsigned C Ryan O'Reilly had been signed to an offer-sheet by Calgary, the team they were facing and playing terribly too. The Flames would make it 3-0 near the end of the period (Iginla), however Avs fans got a huge momentum boost away from the rink because nothing was going right at the Pepsi Center. The Avs learned that GM Greg Sherman quickly matched the offer sheet on O'Reilly, 2 year 10 million, and this seemed to really fire up the Avs. They were outshot 11-8, but the second that the 2nd period started the Avs pushed back and really started to play with some grit. The Avs scored 5 minutes in as the Duchene-Parenteau-McGinn line had a strong shift, and Duchene fed O'Byrne who slapped it on goal and tipped off a Flame stick and past MacDonald to make it 3-1. A couple minutes later, the Avs had another long shift in the offensive zone, this time Landeskog-Stastny-Jones. Stastny fed Landeskog from behind the net and he was stopped by MacDonald, however Jones banged in the rebound to make it 3-2. The Flames would get one back a few minutes later, as Jones had a terrible turnover at the blue line and Iginla buried his 2nd of the game. The Avs ended the period outshooting the Flames 15-7, and really looked to carry some good momentum into the 3rd. The Avs came out firing in the 3rd, and just 23 seconds in Gabriel Landeskog had a great individual effort and finished the goal with one-hand to make it 4-3. Around 5 minutes later, The Landeskog-Jones-Stastny line was at it again as Landeskog drove the net and took a shot, it bounced off MacDonald and off Stastny's skate into the net. It would go to review, but the goal counted (no distinct kicking motion) and the game was tied 4-4. The Avs completely dominated the play in the 3rd, and would take the lead as Matt Duchene scored his 7th of the year. As Jamie McGinn took a Parenteau feed he fired a hard wrist shot that stung MacDonald, as McGinn got the rebound he found a streaking Duchene who buried it into the empty-net. The play was all started by PA Parenteau, who knocked the puck of out mid air at the blue line to start the play, an extremely skilled play by the RW. The Avs would continue to play well, but back-to-back penalties by Shane O'Brien saw the Avs killing 2 penalties in the last 7 minutes. The Flames could get nothing going on the PP, as the Avs did a great job killing off 2 straight penalties and 4/5 on the night. The Avs would win 5-4, a great team effort and remarkable comeback from a team who looked completely lifeless in the 1st. The first note I have from this game is about Gabriel Landeskog, who might have had his best game in his 1st 3-point game of his career. 2nd: The line of Landeskog-Stastny-Jones was fabulous, all scoring goals and with multi-point games. The Avs top 2 lines really played strong, and despite a bad first period the Avs locked down defensively and played hard in the 2nd and 3rd. The Stats were as follows: Shots 36-23 Avs, Avs won 42 of 75 faceoffs (Duchene and Stastny 33 of 42 faceoff wins for the Avs), Avs outhit the Flames 23-9 (Landeskog and O'Brien game high 4 each) and Avs had 20 shot-blocks to the Flames 16. I can't stress enough how happy I was with the effort tonight, and now the Avs will welcome back Ryan O'Reilly at .500 (8-8-3 with 19 points).

Three Stars:
3. Paul Stastny - Stastny and Jones had been called out lately for their play, and along with Landeskog they were the Avs best line tonight. Stastny had a goal and an assist, including the game tying goal, and also played a big part in the Avs going 4/5 on the PK. He won 16 of 28 faceoffs, and played just under 20 minutes in a solid game
2. Matt Duchene - Duchene returned from injury style, assisting on the Avs first goal that got them going and scoring the game-winning goal in the 3rd. Duchene played a stellar 2-way game, especially him and Landeskog on the PK were a force. Duchene won 17 of 28 faceoffs, and played very solid in 21:05 icetime
1. Gabriel Landeskog - Landeskog was a force out there tonight, in his best game of the season (and possibly career) he had a goal and 2 assists in 18:39 of icetime. Landeskog was a force at both ends of the ice, getting 3 points and playing a big part in the Avs PK (with Duchene). Landeskog also had 6 shots on goal and 4 hits, both game-highs, as well as 2 blocked shots. The Captain lead by example tonight, and he was certainly the 1st Star

Avalanche Play of the Game - Gabriel Landeskog's goal gets it tonight, with a brilliant one-handed goal of the Forsberg variety

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - David Jones had a brutal turnover leading to Iginla's 2nd goal, he needs to be better defensively despite having a very strong game offensively

Game #20 - The Avs have a day game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday (@3pm)

Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog scores his 2nd goal of the season, the 1st of three 3rd period goals for the Avs

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News