| 29 March 2009
Similar to last game against Vancouver, The Colorado Avalanche had another decent effort, but their current lineup's talent level just isn’t high enough to compete with NHL teams fighting for their playoff lives - Anaheim won 4-1. The scoring began when Galiardi made a horrible mistake when he passed the puck back into his own zone, right to Corry Perry, who blasted a shot by Budaj to take a 1-0 lead. (PS - It wouldn’t surprise me if Perry tricked TJ and called for the puck.) Liles evened the game on with a PPG goal on a nice pass from behind the net from Hensick to even the game after one. Anaheim started to come on early in the 2nd, hit the post a few times and then Ryan scored a pretty backhand goal on the PP to make it 2-1. The TJs both had great chances to tie the game before the 2nd period ended, but couldn’t bury the either chance. In the 3rd, Ryan put the game out of reach with his 2nd goal of the game and the Ducks cruised to the win. Highlights.
What impressed me:
The effort - Lately, Colorado seems to have much better efforts on the road. I don’t really blame them - the last handful of games at Pepsi Center have the feel of a preseason game. On the road, I’m sure it feels much more like an actual NHL game.
What didn’t impress me:
Peter Budaj - His confidence now seems to ebb and flow in 5 minutes spaces each period. The final of this game could have been just as ugly as the game against the Ducks a few days ago (which was 7-2) but Anaheim hit the post 3 or 4 times this game, including one that slipped under Budaj’s pad and would have been just a horrific goal. The 3rd goal of the game was also very soft - yes, Bobby Ryan made a great move to get the shot, but he's square to the shot, he can’t let it slip through the 5 hole. I really think Budaj is going to have trouble saying in the NHL next year, even as a backup. (Maybe he can play with Abbi in Europe...)
The lineup - No real issue with bringing back in Svatos and Stewart, but why the heck is Tucker back in the lineup? What purpose does it serve? Wouldn’t it make more sense if Hendricks was playing? So, you know, we could get a better idea if he’s worth resigning or not since he’s a UFA next season?
3 Stars:
1. ANA R 9 B.RYAN
2. ANA G 1 J.HILLER
3. ANA R 10 C.PERRY
Scratches
Foote (head)
Nycholat (head)
Salei (knee)
Stasnty (head)
Tjarnqvist (head)
Willsie
Wolski (illness)
Next Game: Wednesday at home against Phoenix, 7PM
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