Game #24 - Dallas 3, Colorado 1

Same old story for the avs, they put tons of shots but can't beat a goalie (backup goalie too) until late 3rd but it isn't enough. With Boudreau and Maurice getting fired this morning, I think its time the avs let go of Sacco and snag up Boudreau before someone else does. I personally am a huge fan of Boudreau's coaching style, and he would be perfect for this young avs team. With that being said, it seems Greg Sherman is too stubborn and set on keeping Sacco, who just refuses to change up his gameplan. Nothing has been working for the avs, I don't get why they don't trade for a top 6 forward before their whole season is done. Simply put, there isn't even alot to say about this game the avs didn't play well enough and lost again at home. If they can't beat backup goalies (such as Raycroft, Dubnyk, Schneider etc) how do they expect to beat top goalies, its just so frustrating as an avs fan to watch these games and see such poor effort on the offensive side. The lone bright spot (besides his turnover at the end) was Stefan Elliot who picked up another point in his 2nd career game. I also thought that Semyon Varlamov has responded since his benching, and he played good tonight stopping 32 of 34 shots. Other than that, this team looks completely flat out there and is starting to get really hard to watch. Either pick up a top-six forward (what trading Chris Stewart really hurts) or fire Sacco (for Boudreau) or both, but the avs need a pick-me-up badly or their season is done.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Kevin Porter - Actually had a strong game for once, Porter's line of him Jones and McClement was the best line out there as Porter scored the lone goal.
2. Semyon Varlamov - Made 32 saves on 34 shots and was good despite losing the game
1. Stefan Elliot - Played another solid game, picking up an assist in 19 minutes of work

Misplay of the Game - O'Brien losing the puck at the blueline and Hejda not covering up, leading to Ryder's breakaway goal and the game winner. Just terrible play all around

Game #25 - Avs continue with game #6 of the home-stand and last game in November (awful month) Wednesday night vs. the New Jersey Devils (@930pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #23 - Colorado 5, Edmonton 2

After an even first two periods, the avs still found themselves down 2-1 but that didn't stop them from coming back tonight. You really saw the urgency in the avs play in the 3rd, players were hustling (Jones to beat the icing leading to the 4th goal) and the defence chipped in huge with 3 3rd period goals (O'Brien's first as an av, Hejda and Elliot's first NHL goal) to lead the avs to a 5-2 victory. After Taylor Hall was knocked out of the game in the first period, the Oilers top two lines really didn't muster and offence as Tom Renney was trying to shuffle it around in order to replace Hall. The avs had a 4-line attack tonight, all 4 lines were going and I felt that the defence (Elliot and O'Brien in particular) were great tonight. Semyon Varlamov played in back-to-back games and finally picked up a win, his first in 8 starts, as he saved 31 of 33 shots and really played well all game long. With the absence of Erik Johnson, Stefan Elliot finally got the call and didn't disappoint in his first NHL game. He played well all night, was calm and collected with the puck, but most importantly scored his first NHL goal at a crucial point in the 3rd period and ended up being the game winner. It is definitely going to create some problems once EJ returns, because there is no reason Elliot should be sent down (O'Byrne/Hejda likely scrated as O'Brien Wilson Quincey have been solid all season). Sacco reunited two of his (and my) favourite lines tonight with Stastny Duchene Hejduk and O'Reilly Landeskog Winnik, and it really seemed to spark O'Reilly and Landeskog who both played great (O'Reilly in particular). O'Reilly is the leader on the forward group, and I believe he deserves the A more than anyone else on the team. Simply put, the avs needed a win tonight and really came alive in the 3rd to make that possible. Goals (in order) were McClement, O'Brien, Elliot, Hejda and Stastny (empty net). A huge (must-win) game for the avs, hopefully one that they should be able to build on to continue this home-stand.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Shane O'Brien - When the avs need a spark, it always seems to be O'Brien who steps up as the emotional leader on this team. Not the most talented guy, but he plays with such passion and really gives it his all, and he came up huge tonight scoring the tying goal that really got the avs going. He finished the game with 1 goal and 4 shots in just over 20 minutes of work, and has really been the best avs d on this homestand
2. Ryan O'Reilly - Talking about team leaders, O'Reilly is just a great hockey player with tremendous sense for the puck on both ends. He was making defensive plays all night long, really seemed to find his game with Landeskog back on his line, but came up clutch on offense in the 3rd. He had a great feed to O'Brien for the tying goal, and won the draw cleanly on the Elliot goal for 2 assists, +1, 3 shots in just under 20 minutes of work
1. Stefan Elliot - With Erik Johnson sitting, the rookie playing in his first game came up absolutely clutch at the right time. He played very solid all night, but played outstanding in the 3rd period scoring the winning goal. He had 1 goal, 2 shots, and +1 in just under 20 minutes of work, and hopefully looks to cement his place on this roster after a phenomenal first game

Misplay of the Game - Shane O'Brien gets it tonight (despite a stellar game) for turning the puck over at the blueline then running into Varlamov on the oilers first goal

Play of the Game - Easy choice here, Stefan Elliot scoring his first NHL goal in his first game was a great sight to see for all avs fans. David Jones a close second for his great hustle leading to Hejda's goal

Game #24 - The avs play the 5th of 8 games on the home-stand with a rematch against the visting Dallas Stars Monday night (@9pm).

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #22 - Vancouver 3, Colorado 0

After starting the home-stand with a 3-0 win, the avs have mustered 1 goal in 2 games and have really just played awful. With Johnson out with a groin injury, the avs d really weren't active in any way even though his replacement Matt Hunwick actually played good for once. I really dislike playing Lindstrom with Duchene, he stands still and makes it harder for Duchene to make plays, Sacco needs to get Hejduk back with him and Landeskog. It's time for a change, Sacco needs to go or they need to bring in a top 6 forward: I have been saying it for time but this game really pissed me off and Sacco needs to be replaced. He has no idea how to get his team going, they come out flat-footed and fall down atleast 2 goals before the 3rd every game. Another huge mistake is the avs PP, after starting so strong they looked awful tonight (mind you EJ wasn't playing). They need to stop dumping and chasing because they are killing too much PP time, they gotta take a book from Detroit and learn how to properly carry the puck into the zone. The only positive so far has been the PK, only allowing 1 goal (empty net in San Jose) so far on the road trip. There is nothing more to say, these games are starting to get hard to watch as an avs fan and change is needed right now.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Matt Hunwick - Getting a chance to fill in for the injured Johnson, Hunwick actually played decently well with 3 hits in just over 17 minutes of work
2. Milan Hejduk - Had 4 shots on net, and was the avs best forward in a bad game
1. Semyon Varlamov - Despite yet another loss, Varlamov was pretty solid stopping 26 of 28 shots

Misplay of the Game - Goes to the avs forwards for not covering up for Kyle Quincey on the 2nd goal, he gets a shot on net and no one covers up as the play goes the other way for a 2 on 1 and Burrows scores

Game #23 - The avs look to get back on track with game #4 of the home-stand, Saturday night vs. the young and talented Edmonton Oilers (@7pm).

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

The Return of Crosby

While I mainly write about Avalanche news and info, I have to comment on the return of Sidney Crosby. The guy is just incredible, almost non-human, he gets out on that ice after 10+ months of not playing and plays as if he never got hurt. In total, Sid the Kid racked up 2 goals, 2 assists, +3, 8 shots, 14 of 21 faceoffs and the game winning goal in just under 16 minutes of work in his first game of the season. Sid is the best player on the planet, no question about it, he just loves the game and plays at a level that is matched by no one in the league. Everytime he took the ice tonight, the Pens faithful exploded with cheers and Crosby didn't let them down. With Crosby healthy, this team is just scary good especially down the middle with Malkin and Jordan Staal. Throw in their talented D (Letang, Orpik etc) and Marc-Andre Fleury (one of the best goalies in the league), and there is no reason this team doesn't go far (if not to the cup) this season. Simply put, Crosby being back is the best thing for the NHL and its fans: every single hockey fan is simply amazed at how good he is. Not only that, but he is by far the most respected player in the league and everyone from Bettman to coaches to players all want and are thrilled to have him back. To conclude, I (along with everyone) couldn't be happier to have #87 back, and he certainly didn't let anyone down tonight.

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News