Coming off a terrible road trip, where the team had 0 energy, the avs headed back home and were aided with the return of Paul Stastny to the lineup. Already without Mueller and Wilson with concussions, Stastny returned after missing 3 games and really sparked an avs team that was dead the last few games. Despite being thoroughly outplayed last time vs. the sharks, the avs actually picked up the pace and ran the show for most of the game. Stefan Elliot got things started with a beautiful coast-to-coast goal at the end of the 1st, a true show of the skill he brings to the table. After the Sharks scored twice and lead 2-1 going into the 3rd, the avs really picked up the pace and played with a lot of energy. Goals from Winnik and then Duchene on the PP got the avs in front, until Marleau tied it up with 22 seconds left on a nifty move/feed from Logan Couture. When OT solved nothing, the avs continued their undefeated shootout record as Gabriel Landeskog scored the winner on his first attempt in his career. After starting the season awful at home, they have really rebounded of late winning 4 straight now at home. Overall, I thought that Semyon Varlamov played really well tonight. He was making saves all night when San Jose picked up the attack, and really didn't have much chance on all of the 3 goals. The main thing I have noticed from him recently is he isn't shaky in net, a problem he had where he was not seeing the puck well and really having a hard time controlling shots, but it seems that hes regained his form making 30 saves on 33 shots and stopping 3 of 4 in the shootout. Despite allowing 3 goals, two on defensive miscues, I thought the avs D played really well in particular Elliot and Johnson. It was nice to see EJ play a solid game after a few shaky ones since his return from injury. Overall, I think that this was a really nice rebound game for the avs, one where a win was needed and the team really picked up the pace.
Avalanche Three Stars:
3. Daniel Winnik - He has really become a steady player for the avs in terms of bringing speed and size, but he really got the team going with his 3rd period game tying goal. He has played tremendous on the PK of late, but I think that he has been on of the most consistent players in terms of creating scoring chances and taking shots on net
2. Stefan Elliot - Another solid game from Elliot as well as another highlight reel goal. He truly is gifted offensively, but also had a strong defensive game as well in probably his best two-way game of his young career
1. Matt Duchene - Dutchy has really picked up his game of late, and seemed to be sparked by the return of Stastny. He was active all night, scoring a beautiful PP goal and creating chances every time he touched the puck. As a big Duchene fan, it is nice to see him finally start to produce on a regular basis as he is expected to.
Play of the Game - Easy choice here, Stefan Elliot's highlight coast-to-coast goal was just awesome.
Misplay of the Game - Shane O'Brien's failure to clear and then bad read on Couture that set up the tying goal late in the 3rd
Game #32 - The avs now head to San Jose for a rematch and 2nd game of the home-and-home series with the Sharks on Thursday night (@1030pm).
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
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