Game #34 - Colorado 1, Nashville 0 (OT)

Avs F Matt Duchene celebrates with D Tyson Barrie after his OT winner

The Avs have had a hard time of late, winning only 2 of their last 10 games (including 2 4-game losing streaks) and really playing a bad stretch of hockey in March. However, a stellar performance from Semyon Varlamov lead the way today, and the Avs won their 2nd 1-0 game of the season after Tyson Barrie got the OT winner (David Jones scored in OT to win 1-0 vs. the Blues for the other). The Avs still sit at 15th in the West at 28 points, 8 points out of the 8th playoff spot. While it certainly is doable, the bad stretch of games has put the Avs into prime position for a top 3 pick in the draft, and as much as I can't cheer for them to lose as a die-hard fan at this point id rather them go for the draft pick then try to make the playoffs and miss them while also getting a worse pick. This game was very similar to the one vs. St. Louis, with Varlamov bailing out his team with several big saves and neither team being able to score. The Avs headed to OT with some momentum, and in the extra session just 50 seconds in Tyson Barrie converted on a rebound off Greg Zanon's point shot (first decent shot Zanon has hit the net with all season??) past Rinne for the winner (only his 2nd NHL goal, both vs the Preds). Besides Varlamov, another big positive for the Avs was the PK, going 6/6 tonight and really doing a great job. The stats in the game were as follows: The Predators outshot the Avs 34-24, the Avs won 31 of 57 faceoffs, The Avs outhit them 15-7 and the shotblocks were 18-17 for the Avs (Jan Hejda a game high 6).

Three Stars:
3. Pekka Rinne - Rinne wasn't the busiest goalie in the game, but he made some big saves including one on Matt Duchene on a 2 on 1 at the end of the 1st. Rinne made 23 saves on 24 shots in the loss
2. Tyson Barrie - Barrie scored the OT goal in the game, which also happened to be the only goal. Besides the goal, Barrie was active and effective at both ends of the ice
1. Semyon Varlamov - By far the best player on the ice for either team, Varlamov stood on his head today and stole the game. He made 34 saves for his 3rd shutout of the season

Avalanche Play of the Game - Barrie's OT goal gets it tonight, all set up by the offensive work of Matt Duchene and PA Parenteau on the 4-on-4

Avalanche Misplay of the Game - Defensive coverage infront of Varlamov was just brutal today, as was the case most games this season. The Avs defence allow players too much room near the net, and Varlamov bailed them out today more then 5 times. In particular Hunwick O'Byrne and Zanon are all brutal in the defensive zone

Game #35 - The Avs head on the road for back-to-back games, the first against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night (@730pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #33 - Vancouver 4, Colorado 1

The final score does not say everything about this game, despite losing by 3 goals the Avs outplayed the Canucks for most of the game. A late goal by Daniel Sedin and 2 empty net goals sent the Canucks to victory, but the Avs had their chances. The Canucks got goals from Burrows, D.Sedin, H.Sedin and Higgins while Duchene scored the lone goal for the Avs. Cory Schneider had a great game for Vancouver, stopping 32-33 shots. The stats were as follows: Avs outshot them 33-18. Avs won 23 of 40 faceoffs, Avs had 14 blocked shots to the Canucks 15, and Avs outhit them 25-14

Three Stars:
3. PA Parenteau - Along with Duchene the best Avs players on the ice, Parenteau set up Duchene's goal
2. Daniel Sedin - Scored the GWG, and added an assist
1. Cory Schneider - Won the game for the Canucks

Game #34 - The Avs play at home next, in a day game vs. the Nashville Predators on Saturday (@3pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #32 - Calgary 4, Colorado 3

Another tough loss for the Avs, their 3rd in a row and 7th in the last 8 games. Another horrible start and bad defensive showing by the Avs, who continue to leave Varlamov out to dry (O'Byrne and Zanon in particular tonight). You gotta feel for this team, cause they are scoring offensively and Varlamov is playing good, the defence is just atrocious and makes them so much worse. The Flames got goals from Hudler, Begin and Cammalleri scored twice while McGinn Landeskog and O'Reilly scored for Colorado. The Avs had another great 3rd period, but a slow first period cost them bigtime. At this point I don't mind the team losing, brings them closer to a top 3 pick in the draft, but as a fan I still want to see them win and its very frustrating. The stats were as follows: Colorado outshot them 30-27, Colorado won 39 of 69 faceoffs, Colorado out-hit them 23-14 and the Flames had 19 blocked shots to the Avs 12

Three Stars:
3. Steve Begin - Veteran scored the 2nd goal for the Flames
2. Ryan O'Reilly - O'Reilly was one of few Avs playing good tonight (him Parenteau Duchene Landeskog), scoring a goal and adding an assist
1. Mike Cammalleri - Cammy scored 2 goals, including the game winner, and was the best player on the ice

Game #33 - The Avalanche play next in Vancouver, where they meet the Canucks tonight (@10pm)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Game #31 - Vancouver 3, Colorado 2

I missed the entire game with my own hockey, but I wasn't expecting the Avs to win, they have trouble against the Canucks. Although after seeing the highlights it was a close game, and the Avs got screwed on the clock screw-up at the end of the game that would have kept them on the PP after making it 3-2. Vancouver got goals from Garrison Raymond and Burrows while McGinn and Parenteau scored for the Avs. The stats were as follows: Canucks outshot the Avs 30-28, Avs won 33 of 58 faceoffs, Avs outhit them 28-15 and had 18 blocked shots to the Canucks 10.

Three Stars:
3. Alex Burrows - Scored the game-winning goal
2. PA Parenteau - Best Avalanche on the ice, scoring his 14th of the season and adding his 17th assist
1. Mason Raymond - Scored a nice goal on a great individual effort, his 9th of the season, and was the best Canuck on the ice

Game #32 - The Avs play the first of back-to-back games on the road, against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night (@10)

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News