Two straight divisional losses have quickly cooled the avs hot start down, as they simply couldn't beat Devan Dubnyk tonight. Sooner or later the avs must figure out how to play on their own ice, they have been horrid in 3 games scoring only 2 goals (while allowing 9) and losing all 3 games. In a game where the avs outshot them 41 to 19, won 35 of 55 faceoffs and just outplayed the Oilers they couldn't finish. Coach Sacco finally did some line juggling virtually switching every line except the OWL line. Matt Duchene had a strong game tonight, and he really needs a winger to play with as Lindstrom and Kobasew were simply weak tonight. With Galiardi sitting with an injury, Kevin Porter stepped in and created an awful giveaway for the Oilers third goal mere seconds after the avs made it 2-1, and he just played a terrible game in a time where he needed to step up for the injured Galiardi. Once again another defenceman stepped up for Landeskog, as Andy Sutton hit him high with an elbow and O'Brien immediately jumped in and fought him (Sutton should be suspended). Overall, I thought Varlamov played well but the 3rd goal was pretty weak, but on the other hand your typical Ryan Smyth goal as the former av jammed it past him. After a hot start, the avs have really fell flat in two games and they either need to try some new lines or trade for a winger for Duchene because they are wasting his skill playing with two non-scoring wingers. If a trade isn't happening immediately, and Mueller remains out my suggestion is this: Move Lindstrom back with Jones and Stastny in a line that was great in pre camp, and then that leaves Hejduk back with Duchene and for now Kobasew until Mueller is back, because there is no point breaking up O'Reilly Winnik and Landeskog as they have been by far the best line all season. Before the game I thought that the Landeskog/Nugent-Hopkins matchup was going to be a factor, but Nugent-Hopkins (and his whole line of Eberle and Hall) were virtually invisible tonight and Landeskog was his usual self firing 6 shots on goal and really playing a solid all around game. Another game where the avs just couldn't score, and this loss will definitely hurt.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Kyle Quincey - Kyle picked up another assist to give him 2 goals and 4 assists this season. Missing most of the season last year, Quincey has really picked up his game this season and continues to be a force on the blueline
2. Matt Duchene - Duchene played a much better game today, was strong on the puck and had several good scoring chances just not able to beat Dubnyk. He picked up an assist on a beauty pass to O'Reilly, his first point in 3 games, and went 11 for 14 in the face-off dot. Simply put the avs gotta change things up and get him some better wingers (either via trade or Hejduk and Mueller if hes healthy)
1. Ryan O'Reilly - O'Reilly is really coming into his own in his third season, with 7 assists coming into this game he finally scored his first of the season via a beauty pass from Duchene. O'Reilly has developed great chemistry with Winnik and Landeskog, and once again was the only effective line on the ice for the 2nd game in a row. The other lines are struggling but it will be extremely tough to break this line up
Misplay of the Game: An easy choice for me, Kevin Porter's awful turnover on the Oilers 3rd goal. He shouldn't even be in the lineup, and when he finally gets a chance he surrenders the puck seconds after the avs were finally able to score, a massive blow to the team and to his confidence as he will surely be benched once again after a terrible game
Game #11 - The avs play their final game of October on Sunday, as the Kings are in town (@8pm). The avs need a win at home, and this will surely be a tough game against the talented Kings.
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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