Game #7 - Colorado 6, Calgary 3

The Avs were finally able to have a good effort on the road, after starting the road trip 0-3 they got some good bounces and capitalized to beat the division-rival Flames. I missed most of the 1st period at my own hockey game, but it seems the Avs were once again outplayed in the 1st. Flames outshot them 12-7 and had a goal from Jiri Hudler (1st as a Flame), but John Mitchell responded with a huge goal in the last minute to tie it at 1-1 after the 1st. Both teams scored 2 goals in the 2nd, as Hudler scored his 2nd off a nifty passing play (aided by the Avs standing around) to put the Flames up 2-1. Colorado then got goals from Parenteau and Mitchell before Tanguay tied the game in the last minute to make it 3-3. The Flames outshot the Avs 22-13 after 2 periods, but the Avs really responded well in the 2nd. The Avs were playing hard down low, especially Mitchell-McLeod-Kobasew. In the 3rd, both teams traded chances but the goalies were playing well. It was tied 3-3 with minutes left, but a nifty rush by Matt Duchene drew a penatly and Paul Stastny scored his first goal of the season (FINALLY)  to put the Avs up 4-3 with 2:40 remaining. After a few chances by the Flames, Stastny came up big once again burying a Mitchell rebound to put the Avs up 5-3. Parenteau would ice the game into the empty-net, as the Avs score 3 goals in the last 2:40 to win 6-3. Sloppy game from the D, besides EJ and Wilson all 4 other Avs d were bad (especially Zanon). On offence, the Stastny-Jones-Hejduk line was -2 (Jones -3) and Stastny really made up for some bad mistakes (particular the 3rd goal) to get the 2 goals. Another superb game from both McLeod and Mitchell (both +3), along with Kobasew they were the Avs most effective line tonight. Duchene-Parenteau-McGinn was also very strong, especially Duchene defensively tonight he was great. Stats for the game: Shots 28-21 Flames, Flames won 32 of 56 faceoffs, Avs out-hit them 21-19 and had 18 blocked shots compared to the Flames 7. The big difference was special teams, the Avs were a perfect 3-3 on the PK and finally scored a PP goal on the road. Overall a great performance by the Avs after a slow start, and they end the terrible road trip on a high note.

Three Stars:
3. Matt Duchene - With Landeskog out, Duchene has become the leader of this forward group and has played some great hockey this season. He had 2 assists tonight, but once again it was his defensive play that caught my eye. He very clearly worked on his conditioning in the off-season, because he is much stronger in the defensive zone and is playing great on the PK. He is also much more confident on offence, he is very strong down low and is using his feet to beat defenders. His rush at the end of the 3rd set up the PP for Stastny's winner, and he had a great game tonight playing the most for any Avs forward at 21:40
2. PA Parenteau - Parenteau continues his good start to his Avs career, as he scored twice and had an assist including a big tying goal in the 2nd and the empty-netter to seal it. He has played very good hockey so far, and seems to be rubbing off on Duchene because they both are demonstrating great chemistry early on. Parenteau now has 5 goals on the season, leading the Avs
1. John Mitchell - I can't say enough good things about Mitchell, he has played with such determination and grit so far this season. I can be the first to admit that I thought Mitchell was signed to play 4th line minutes, because he hasn't had the easiest career. However, he has had a fantastic start to the season and had a big night scoring twice and assisting on another for 3 points (and +3). Mitchell-Mcleod-Kobasew was the best line for the Avs tonight, and Mitchell's 1st period goal was huge for the Avs who have had trouble scoring. Mitchell has had a strong start to the season, very similar to the start former Av Daniel Winnik is having in Anaheim (2 role guys getting big goals). Overall a great effort by Mitchell, he played almost 19 minutes and was effective on every shift

Avalanche Play of the Night - The Avs scored a bunch of gritty goals tonight, so no play was particularly notable, but Stastny's first goal of the season gets it tonight just a huge moment for Pauly. Kiprusoff has burned the Avs many times in the past, it was good to see the Avs not be too fancy and just put the puck to the net.

Avalanche Misplay of the Night - Players caught watching on the 2nd and 3rd Flames goal: Zanon on the 2nd and Stastny on the 3rd are both the misplays of the night

Game #8 - The Avs head home after a dismal Road Trip (1-3), as they play the Edmonton Oilers in a day game on Saturday (@3pm)

Paul Stastny celebrates with Matt Duchene after scoring
his 1st goal of the season

Duchene, McGinn and Hejda celebrate with PA Parenteau
after he scoring his 4th goal of the season

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #6 - Vancouver 3, Colorado 0

For the 2nd straight game I really don't have a lot to talk about, since losing Landeskog the Avs have looked like a mess. They are not playing with good effort, making sloppy plays and still taking bad penalties. The score was 3-0 tonight, but Varlamov was the best player on the ice with the exception of 2 bad five-hole goals. Avs can't expect to win like this, especially without Landeskog and O'Reilly, just very disappointing

Three Stars:
3. Zack Kassian - Thought he had a good physical game, and scored the 3rd goal
2. Jason Garrison - First goal of his Canucks career and the GWG
1. Roberto Luongo - 24-save shutout for Lu

Game #7 - Avalanche look to get something going with their last of a 4-game road trip in Calgary on Thursday (@9pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #5 - Edmonton 4, Colorado 1

Not a lot to write about this game, Avs looked lifeless through 40 minutes and watched the Oilers score 3 PP goals. The Avs are playing so bad on the road, and even worse they are taking terrible penalties. They were also without Captain and best player Gabriel Landeskog, who is sidelined indefinitely by a questionable Brad Stuart Hit. Avs were able to get it going in the 3rd, outshooting the Oilers 24-5 in the period and scoring their lone goal off a rebound (PA Parenteau). The avs are making a lot of mistakes that were present last season, and they are really hurting on offence without O'Reilly Landeskog and Downie (who were at times the Avs best line last season). Edmonton didn't play an overly amazing game, but the second the Avs game them time on the PP they made no mistake (4/6 on the PP). As a side-note I love watching the line of Eberle-Hall-Nuge; they are so skilled and you can see what a year has done to maturing each on of their games'.They were by far the best players on the ice tonight, the Avs had a handful with them every time they stepped on the ice. The Avs have now let up 7 PP goals in back to back losses, an ugly statistic for a team that played so well on the PK at home this season. The Avs need to make a change at forward if Landeskog is out long term, and the first move is singing Ryan O'Reilly tomorrow. As for now we patiently wait to see the word on Landeskog, who remains out with leg and head injuries from the hit. One can only wonder why he returned vs. the Sharks if he is actually hurt, and in that case why isn't Stuart suspended? If Landeskog is out long-term, they Avs need to look into a trade or free-agency for some depth forward. My last point is Coach Sacco needs to start learning from his mistakes; we are seeing the same bad problems as last year (1. bad penalties 2. not showing up for the 1st/2nd periods)

Three Stars:
3. Devan Dubnyk - He wasn't really that busy through 2 periods, but made a lot of saves in the 3rd (23 on 24 shots)
2. Taylor Hall - Hall was a beast out there tonight, getting 2 assists and really playing a strong game
1. Jordan Eberle - Eberle had the game-winning goal on an absolutely beautiful wrist-shot, and he was the best player on the ice tonight. He is so exciting to watch, a personal favourite of mine, and he continues to get stronger every game

Avalanche Misplay of the Night - Shane O'Brien giving it away at the end, I hate Yakupov and letting him score into the empty net with his 1st shot of the night was annoying to see

Game #6 - Avs head to Vancouver for game 3 of the road trip, as they play the Canucks on Wednesday (@10pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #4 - San Jose 4, Colorado 0

The Avs ran into a very hot San Jose Sharks team and were defeated 4-0 in a tough game. The Sharks scored 3 PP goals, and a 4th seconds after a PP to beat the Avs, but the thing everyone is talking about is Brad Stuart's questionable hit on Gabriel Landeskog. The Avs controlled the 1st, they got the first 5 shots and held the Sharks without a shot for 12 minutes. However, as Landeskog had his head down at centre he was flattened by Stuart and limped off the ice. Ryan O'Byrne immediately went after Stuart (as he should have) and started fighting him, receiving 5 for fighting, a 10-min misconduct, 2 for instigating and 2 for instigating a fight with a visor on (never heard of that before). This was the TSN turning point no doubt, Marleau scored a pair of PP goals to make it 4-straight 2 goal games for the scorching hot Patty Marleau. Landeskog didn't return until the 2nd period, which was by far the best news for the Avs today. Not much else to write about, Sharks deserved this game 100% but I didn't like the hit 1 bit and I hope Brendan Shanahan comes down on Brad Staurt.

Three Stars:
3. Thomas Greiss - In his 1st start of the season he had a 24-save shutout, he wasn't particularly busy but made some good saves
2. Joe Thornton - Jumbo Joe continued his red-hot start, scoring his 2nd of the season and adding an assist on 1 of Marleau's goals. Thornton now has 2 goals and 9 assists on the season (tied with Marleau for the NHL lead in points)
Patrick Marleau - Marleau became the first player since 1917 to score 2 goals in 4-straight games. He had 2 goals and an assist, and continues to play amazing hockey early on. Him and Thornton are tied with 11 points to sit at 1-2 in the NHL currently

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Avs PP gets it tonight, simply awful in the first and they can't shoot the puck at all. Stastny also gets it for passing up a wide open net, he needs to start shooting the puck

Avalanche Play of the Game - Landeskog returning was the lone highlight, very important that he wasn't significantly injured on that dirty hit

Game #5 - The Avs continue their road trip, as they head to Edmonton to play the young and exciting Oilers on Monday (@930pm)