Well, the Avs had a 6 game win streak snapped by the Kings last game. Snapped is the nicest way to put it, as the Avs were completely dominated in every aspect of the game in a 5-0 beat down. So they were definitely in need of a good showing against the Wild just before a brief Christmas break for the league. Plus, it's a divisional game, so you'd think that they would be rearing and ready to play tonight. Well, you'd think that.
Period 1:
Avs came out with a good pace, and even had an early power play. Unfortunately, Shattenkirk wiffed on a simple D-to-D pass, giving Clutterbuck a breakaway on Andy. Save on the breakaway, but no hope for the early Christmas present right in front of the net. Hammered home by Matt Cullen for a 1-0 lead, Shorthanded.
Avs don't wait long to even things up, as David Jones hammers home a weak rebound on the remaining PP to even it up at 1. Backstrom thought he had the puck covered, but Jones managed to find it and slam it in.
Then, the Avs gave up another one as a shot from the point was sent intentionally wide. Andy seemed to overreact to this puck, slid way of the net and tried to cover it as it came sliding back through the crease, but couldn't turn himself fully around. He actually knocked the puck into the post, and then it sat in the crease, once again, awaiting the stick of Matt Cullen who put home his second goal of the night. Period 1 ended 2-1 in favor of the Wild.
Period 2:
Avs came out looking pretty decent in the second, until David Koci, the biggest waste of a roster space in the NHL, took an incredibly stupid penalty, pile-driving a Wild player into Backstrom about 10 seconds AFTER Backstrom had covered the puck.
Ensuing power play, a one timer from the point went a bit wide, and Andrew Brunette, a former member of the Avalanche, put a little backhander over the unnecessarily sprawling body of Craig Anderson. Andy looked horrible on goals 2 and 3. Out of position, unable to move back once he had committed anywhere, and just flopped all over the place. Andy was pulled after this goal, very deservedly so.
Avs were very soft for the rest of the period, with the exception of the last 3 minutes. Budaj made some good saves in this period, and a few other really good ones in the third to keep the Avs close.
Period 3:
No scoring, but lots more action. Avs got very brave, out of necessity, with their D jumping up in the play. Budaj played very well in relief of Anderson, and really was the only reason it stayed at 3-1. Avs just couldn't buy one offensively. Backstrom was on his game, the Wild blocked a ton of shots, and they just missed a ton of shots wide, high, wherever. Game ends with a 3-1 Wild victory.
Things to note.
Craig Anderson has looked AWFUL the last few games. He has had 1 or 2 goals against in the last 3 games where he just flops around in hopes that he might be able to grab it. Makes a lot of us following the Avs think that there might still be something wrong with his leg, his hip, his groin, or something because he has not been sharp.
Greg Mauldin knocked himself out of the game late in the game when he went head first into the glass when tripping himself over a Wild player. He left the game. Looked like he might have lost a tooth in this one.
Cal Clutterbuck, the league leader in hits, had a couple of questionable hits, most notable on Kevin Porter. Porter had turned his numbers very clearly out to the players, which means you aren't supposed to hit them, out of safety. Clutterbuck hit Porter, probably a bit softer than he could have but still a bit harder than he should. Adam Foote stepped in to protect his teammates, and Clutterbuck cowered away when he was challenged. Martin Havlat also took a few cheap shots. Was called for a blatant slash on Duchene early, then took a couple of little swipes at Foote throughout the rest of the game. Then, again, when Foote stepped up into his face, Havlat scooted backwards and started yapping once 3 of his teammates were between him and Foote. Some lack of class there. Though you expect tempers in a divisional game.
Speaking of divisional games, with this loss, the Avs are now 2-6-1 against teams in the Northwest Divison. That is not going to be good enough if you want to get to the playoffs. The Avs also have a lot of divisional games coming up. The play Edmenton and Calgary on back to back nights, and then host Vancouver. They need to play better within their division if they want to go anywhere in the post season.
Avs defense continues to hurt them. Shattenkirk had a horrible giveaway on their first goal. D unable to clear people from the front of the net in several situations. That has to improve. Avs also need to get healthy. They are seriously missing the likes of Chris Stewart and Milan Hejduk. Stewarts power and versatility is always tough for teams to deal with, and Hejduk just has so many intangible that he can always do what is needed.
Avs now get a few days off to think about what needs to get fixed, and then come back against Detroit on Monday.
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