While this game ended in a shootout, the first 60 minutes was much more of one as the teams combined for 10 goals on 73 shots - but the ending result was the same as all games on this road trip, the avs found a way to win and they have now won 4 straight since losing at home on opening night. This game seemed to be dominated by the offenses, as both teams were outworking their respective defences and both goalies (Price and Varlamov) paid the price allowing 5 goals each. With that being said, the avs definitely weren't at their best as they blew three 1 goal leads in this game (1-0, 3-2, 4-3) as well as allowing 2 goals in 20 seconds late in the third. However, as evident in this early season, the avs will not quit on games and found a way to claw their way back late in the third. Erik Johnson made a beautiful play to keep the puck in, fed Hejduk who swooped around the net and found a streaking Kyle Quincey who sent a beauty slapper off the far post and past Price. Overtime solved nothing, and the shootout provided the same result as it did the other night in Columbus - both Hejduk and Duchene scoring near exact same goals as they did (Duchene's was identical) before. The avs are now 2-0 in shootouts, and have scored on all 4 attempts. While this game certainly wasn't the best played by the avs defence, the offense was really effective as Stastny finally scored his first of the season as well as Davy Jones netted 2. Stastny made a nifty play poking it away from PK Subban on route to a breakaway, slipping it through Price's pads. David Jones seems to have regained his scoring touch, scoring twice including a beautiful goal on the PP from a nifty Erik Johnson pass. Erik Johnson is really coming in to his own here in Denver, it may have not been evident while the avs were struggling last year but this year is a different story - the young D is really showcasing the skill that made him the first overall pick in 2006. I know it is early, and he's been with the team less than a year, but I really feel he has developed into the team's true leader and will be wearing the C very shortly. Overall this wasn't the best game for the avs but they found a way to walk away with 2 points, and Coach Sacco should be thrilled about that.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Paul Stastny - While he has been off to a slower start then wanted, Stastny played excellent in this game scoring his first of the season and assisting on another. While Stastny hasn't showed up on the scoresheet at all times this season, his play is extremely solid as he is one of the best two-way forwards in the game
2. Erik Johnson - Johnson has played extremely well this season, but tonight he was simply at his best. He chipped in with 2 assists, including a gorgeous feed to David Jones, as well as a great play to keep the puck in leading to the Quincey game-tying goal
1. David Jones - He started slow in the first few games, but has now scored 3 goals in his last 2 games including 2 goals and an assist in this game. Jones had a team-high 27 goals last year (tied with Dutchy) and looks to build off a career year
Play of the Game: The game tying goal, as Johnson made a terrific play to keep the puck in, feeding Hejduk who made a beauty pass to feed Quincey as he buried it past Price to make it 5-5 late
Misplay of the Game: The avs D letting two goals in 20 seconds in the third, especially Ryan O'Byrne for letting his man go as Desharnais beat him to the net and tipped it past Varly
Game #6 - The Avalanche meet the undefeated Leafs in Toronto tonight (Monday @7pm). This is going to be a great game, as yours truly will be in attendance at the ACC and couldn't be more excited. All of my family and friends are leafs fans, including my pops who I will be going with, and I can't wait to see the avs live as it has been almost 4 years since I have.
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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