| 15 March 2009
The Colorado Avalanche outplayed another borderline playoff team and won in OT for the 2nd game in a row. This time it was the Oilers in Edmonton. The Avs were badly outplayed in the first 5 minutes and gave up a goal when Budaj gave up a bad rebound and Clark kicked the puck in. But after a Chris Stewart fight, the Avs began to take the game over. They took the lead with 2 PP goals from Tucker and Stansty. The Oilers got a late goal in the 3rd from Souray on a screened shot but the Avs got the winner from Liles just :42 into the OT. Highlights.What impressed me:
Special Teams Play - The Avs were outscored 0-2 during 5 on 5 play, but outscored the Oil 3-0 with special team. 2 PPGs and a 4 on 4 goal in OT.
Paul Stastny - Finally, looked like the Stastny I knew and loved. Scored his first goal back from the broken forearm when he slipped by a check on the half wall, cut across the middle and put a perfect shot off the inside of the post and in.
Top 2 Lines - And now that Stasnty looks to have shaken off the rust, we might be seeing why so many Avs fans were so pleased that Wolski looks like a top six center. For the first time in what seems like forever, the Avs had 2 solid, effective scoring lines in a close game -- Stasnty, Svatos, Hejduk and Wolski, Stewart, Smyth.
What didn’t impress me:
Brett Clark - Did it look like he was trying to kick that puck in to anyone else? :)
Lawrence Nycholat - I read analysis after the Leopold trade that described this guy as “a warm body“. One game in and I can’t disagree.
3 Stars
1. COL D 4 J.LILES
2. EDM D 44 S.SOURAY
3. COL L 94 R.SMYTH
1. COL D 4 J.LILES
2. EDM D 44 S.SOURAY
3. COL L 94 R.SMYTH
Scratches
Foote (head)
Hensick
McCormick (suspension)
Foote (head)
Hensick
McCormick (suspension)
Next Game: Sunday in Vancouver, 8PM
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