Game #37 - Detroit 3, Colorado 2 (OT)

It seems that every game is ending the same for the Avs, no matter how much an effort they put in they can't seem to win 2 points, and at this point with 10 games left it isn't that bad of a thing. The Avs outplayed Detroit in this game, and a couple defensive lapses led to a few Detroit goals or else the Avs would have won. The Red Wings got things started in the first, as Pavel Datsyuk scored on the PP to make it 1-0. A few minutes later, the Avs 4th line would get it back as Marc Olver took a nifty pass from David Van Der Gulik and came in all alone, deking to his backhand and beating Howard. The tie would only last 13 seconds, as a Matt Duchene turnover led to Gustav Nyquist scoring to make it 2-1. The game would remain 2-1 through 2 periods, and the Avs really pushed the pace in the 3rd to try and tie it up (outshooting the Wings 16-6 in the period). The Avs would tie it up over 6 minutes into the 3rd, as PA Parenteau tipped a pass from McGinn out of mid air for the goal. The period would end tied at 2-2, but not before a massive hit by Niklas Kronwall on Jamie McGinn in the "Kronwalled" fashion (http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=72&id=236431&navid=nhl:topheads). In OT both teams had their chances, including 2 good ones by Matt Duchene, but Datsyuk would put the game away with 15 seconds left. Hunwick lost him in coverage and as Zetterberg put it to the net Datsyuk poked it past Giguere. It was a great effort from the Avs team, at this point thats all you can ask for is to play good hockey, and as they keep losing it puts us closer to one of Jones Drouin or Mackinnon

Three Stars:
3. Henrik Zetterberg - The Red Wings captain set up both of Datsyuk's goals tonight
2. PA Parenteau - Was the best Av on the ice, had the tying goal in the 3rd
1. Pavel Datsyuk - What more can you say about #13? He scored the first goal of the night and the last, and was the best player on the ice no question

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Hunwick losing Datsyuk in coverage on the OT winner, just a horrible defensive play

Avalanche Play of the Game - PA Parenteau's goal gets it, his 15th of the season, it was just a great tip out of mid air

Game #38 - The Avalanche play the 2nd of back-to-back games, against the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday night (@9pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News