Another case of a slow start and late push but the same result, a loss for the Avalanche. At this point it really doesn't frustrate me like it did earlier in the season, at this point how far out they are with only 13 games remaining I am cheering for them to finish in position to get a top 3 pick. The only positives for the Avs this point is the play of their core of young forwards, Matt Duchene Gabriel Landeskog PA Parenteau and Ryan O'Reilly. From a goaltending point neither Varlamov or Giguere has been that good, but they haven't had much help from an Avs D that might be the worst in the NHL right now. The first 15 minutes of the game were pretty even, the Avs actually outshot the Red Wings 10-9 in the first, but Abdelkader put the Avs down 1-0 early first knocking a puck out of mid air. The Red Wings would go on to score 2 times in the 2nd chasing G Semyon Varlamov after only 13 shots, as Cleary then Brunner would score. The Avs would get goals from McGinn and Duchene in the 3rd, and had several chances right at the end of regulation to tie it, but end up losing 3-2. Overall not a bad performance, and it must be very frustrating to be in the Avs locker room right now, but this season is winding down and they need to look to the future before the trade deadline (move Hejduk or Stastny?). The bottom line is that Coach Sacco is not getting through to his players, and I think that whether it is now or at the end of the season he needs to be fired.
Three Stars:
3. Johan Franzen - Franzen set up 2 goals and was strong all game for the Red Wings, as he continues his mastery of the Avs
2. Matt Duchene - Once again the best player on the ice for the Avs, he scored a goal, had 2 hits, 2 takeaways 2 shots in a team-high 23:35 of icetime for the Avs. Duchene continues to mature as a player, logging serious minutes and looking great for the future of this team
1. Jimmy Howard - 22 saves on 24 shots, the reason the Red Wings won the game as he made some big saves early
Game #36 - The Avs play the 2nd of back-to-back games against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night (@8pm)
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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