Game #2 - Colorado 3, Los Angeles 1

The Avs played their best hockey of the early season in the 3rd period, rallying for 3 goals to take the 3-1 win. The Avs couldn't get anything going through 40 minutes, and a bad goal by LA off a rebound had the Kings up 1-0 after 2 periods. Jon Quick was playing well in net, but the Avs weren't getting great chances and really didn't control the pace of the game. That all changed in the 3rd, right from the 1st shift the Avs showed intensity and grit and started pushing back. The Landeskog-Duchene-Parenteau line was very effective all night, especially in the 3rd as they had a long offensive shift leading to the Landeskog tying goal. From then the Avs seized the momentum, and after a Jones PP goal on a lucky bounce off the boards they took the first lead of the game. After another strong shift from the Duchene line, Parenteau converted a pass right infront from Erik Johnson for his 1st as an Avalanche. The Avs shut them down the rest of the way, with Varlamov making 28 saves on 29 shots for his 1st victory of the season. The Avs outshot the Kings 31-29 (12-7 in the 3rd), won 31 of 60 faceoffs, out-hit the Kings 26-20 and most impressively had 24 blocked shots to the Kings 8. I thought that the avs entire 6-man D-unit played strong defensively, letting Varlamov see the puck and clearing the space around him. I like what Greg Zanon has brought to the team, hes really strong in his own end. The only change I would make is putting Shane O'Brien in for Barrie, Barrie is good offensively but is too small and the Kings goal showed that. Overall a great 3rd period from the Avs, they didn't play well through 40 minutes but really deserved the game after dominating the 3rd with 3 goals.

Three Stars:
3. Matt Duchene - I thought he had a really solid game offensively and even better game defensively. He has not been known for his defensive skills early in his career, however he is playing 1st line PK with Landeskog and the two were extremely effective in killing 6/6 penalties. Duchene had an assist on Landeskog's goal, and his line was +2 with Landeskog and Parenteau scoring their 1st of the season respectively
2. Semyon Varlamov - Varlamov was really strong tonight, he looked steady and consistent all night. The only goal was not his fault, bad play by Barrie leaving Clifford wide open off the rush. Varlamov made 28 saves on 29 shots, and gave the Avs a chance to come back in the 3rd and they rewarded him
1. Gabriel Landeskog - He had such a good game, and you can see him maturing as a player and captain every time he steps on the ice. His goal was huge tonight, after a great shift by him Dutchy and PA he got the Avs rolling in the 3rd. I felt him and Duchene were extremely strong on the PK for the 2nd straight game, and I hope Sacco keeps this combination for the future. Great game by Captain Landy

Avalanche Play of the Game - PA Parenteau's first goal in an Avalanche sweater, you could see how excited he was and how equally excited his teammates were for him. I thought him-Duchene-Landeskog were very effective tonight, and PA continues to build chemistry with his new teammates.

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Tyson Barrie's giveaway for the only Kings goal, as he gave the puck away and got burned on the back-check by Clifford.

Game #3 - The Avs will play next at home vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night (@9pm)

Here is Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog pre-game receiving his Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie from last season

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News