Avs Talk - A Colorado Avalanche Blog

I was just starting to write up my post-game comments and then I heard the announcers start to get excited. And just in time I look over and there's the puck going in behind Budaj with 3.9 seconds left on the clock. So off to overtime it went. Then to a shootout. Then to disappointment. The Avs lose an extended shootout and fall even farther back in the playoff race as Calgary took care of San Jose tonight.

On the positive side, not only did the Avs battle back from a 2-0 lead, but Sakic, Stastny, Hejduk and Brunette all kept their point streaks going. Brunette did it in style with 3 assists on the night. Stastny put up 2 assists to move ahead of Kopitar in the rookie scoring race. He won't catch Malkin but being #2 is no slouch either, no matter what the No Fear slogan t-shirts said. Sakic put up one assist and Hejduk grabbed himself a goal.

Marek Svatos seems to be gaining back some confidence as he scored his 3rd goal in 3 games as well as converting on his shootout opportunity. He went high glove on Burke which typically indicates a player with no lack of confidence in his scoring prowess. Let's hope that's holding true for Svatos and he can turn it around for a good run at the end of the year to set himself up for a strong season in the fall.

Brad May found himself with significantly reduced ice-time. When he went out, it was still with Hejduk and Stastny for the most part, he just only went out with them for about half of their shifts. Hejduk and Stastny were attached at the hip in terms of shifts and its good to see. They continue to click well together and have formed a good 1-2 combo where you can basically add in any other player on the line to complete it.

Penalty trouble killed both teams tonight. There were 13 minors and 2 majors called in the game. Colorado converted on 3 of their 6 attempts and LA converted on 2 of their 7, including a 5-on-3 goal. 3 of the penalties were for shooting the puck over the glass (aka "stupidest penalty in the game") and most of the rest were for hooking. Why players continue to hook, I don't know. Just quit doing it. It's annoying.

The Good
- fighting back from 2-goal deficit to take the lead
- offense stays on track
- 50% PP

The Bad
- giving up a 2-goal lead...twice
- defense stays on track (just the wrong one)
- penalty parade

The Ugly
- losing to the Kings again