Avalanche Vs. Blackhawks Final Score: Joakim Lindstrom Nets Game-Winner In Shootout

The Colorado Avalanche haven't won a home game yet this season (though two games is a small sample), but they aren't having any troubles taking it to their opponents while on the road. On Saturday night, the Avalanche defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-4, in a shootout. Joakim Lindstrom scored on Corey Crawford after three Blackhawks skaters were unable to get one past Semyon Varlamov.

The Avalanche opened the scoring in the first period with a Paul Stastny goal at 16:09, with assists going to Kyle Quincey and Shane O'Brien. The Blackhawks tied it up at one just 46 seconds into the second period on Michael Frolik's goal of the season.

David Jones, though, picked up his fifth goal of the season roughly seven minutes later, but Gabriel Landeskog became the sensation over the final part of regulation. He picked up his third goal in the second period. His fourth goal tied the game at four with less than two minutes to play in the third period.

The Blackhawks had scored three straight goals starting in the final minute of the second period through into the 15th minute of the third period.

Semyon Varlamov saved 34 of 38 shots while his teammates had just 24 shots against Crawford.

The Avalanche (6-2, 12 points) visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

For more on this game, follow our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey.

Avalanche Vs. Blackhawks: Colorado Heads To Chicago Looking To Continue Road Success

The Colorado Avalanche face off against the Chicago Blackhawks for the second time in three nights, only this game will take place in the United Center.

After a five game road trip, Colorado played one game in Denver before heading back out to the road for two more games. Fortunately for them, this young Avalanche team has been road warriors, going undefeated and averaging four goals per game.

At home? A completely different story, as they have managed only a single goal in two games (albeit against very difficult opponents).

Semyon Varlamov will start in net for Colorado, after his most electrifying game in an Avalanche sweater. Though he only made 27 saves in the game, many of them were highlight-reel quality. The 23-year-old Russian netminder has been stout in goal so far this season, carrying a 2.14 GAA into this game.

Puck drops at 6:30 p.m. MDT.

For more on this game, follow our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey.

Avalanche Vs Blackhawks Final Score: Patrick Sharp Breaks Tie, Gives Blackhawks 3-1 Victory

In 18 road periods, the Colorado Avalanche have scored 20 goals and gone 5-0.

In six home periods, that same Avalanche team has scored a single goal and lost both games.

Those scoring struggles proved the difference in the game once again, as the Avalanche lost 3-1 to a Chicago Blackhawks team that was just that much better at Pepsi Center.

Colorado dominated play early, outshooting the Blackhawks 13-6, yet found themselves trailing 1-0 at the first intermission on an incredible shot by Hawks star forward Jonathan Toews at 16:02. Colorado tied the game at 15:27 in the second period when a Matt Duchene shot was deflected and bounced off Ryan O'Byrne and past Corey Crawford.

Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp fired a rocket midway through a tight third period that broke the tie, and Chicago would eventually add a shorthanded empty net goal at the end of the period to make the final score, 3-1.

Semyon Varlamov was brilliant in this game, making several highlight reel saves on his way to 27 saves and the first star for the evening. Unfortunately, Crawford was stout enough in net to hold the Avalanche offense to a single goal.

The two teams meet againat United Center in Chicago in two days, on the second half of a home-and-home. 

Avalanche Vs. Blackhawks: Colorado Returns Home On A Roll

So far, this season has gone even better than expected for Colorado Avalanche GM Greg Sherman. Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere have been excellent in goal, and free agent signings Jan Hejda, Chuck Kobasew, Shane O'Brien, and Joakim Lindstrom have all been positive contributors towards the Avalanche's torrid start to the year.

After a 5-0 road trip (where the Avalanche gained 10 of a possible 10 points in the standings en route to first place in the Northwest Division), Colorado returns to the Pepsi Center for only the second time this year.*

*Yes, this is a rough beginning schedule for Colorado. It could be worse; the New York Rangers won't even have their home opener until October 27.

The opponent is the always dangerous Chicago Blackhawks. Despite a disappointing 2010-2011 season, the Blackhawks still have retained many of the star players that won the Cup in 2010. Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Sharp is a great stable of talented forwards. They are supported by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook -- one of the top two-way defensive pairings in all of hockey.

Surprisingly, it's actually unheralded forward Dave Bolland who has been the early offensive star for Chicago with four goals in just four games played. The former second round pick has never been a major threat with a career high 47 points in 2009, but he has found some early season success.

Corey Crawford signed a three year contract extension this past offseason and appears to be the goalie of the future in Chicago. With a 1.98 GAA through four starts, he's looking like a solid investment.

Semyon Varlamov will start in net for Colorado after getting almost a week off. He has not played since October 15 against Montreal.

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. MDT.

For more on this game, follow our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey.

Avalanche Vs. Maple Leafs Final Score: Colorado Finishes Perfect Road Trip With 3-2 OT Victory

The Colorado Avalanche headed into Toronto on a successful road trip; they ended the game with history.

Colorado completed their franchise best road trip with a 3-2 overtime victory, handing the previously undefeated Toronto Maple Leafs their first loss of the young season. The victory was even more sweet for starting goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who played the last two seasons in a Leafs sweater.

After a scoreless first period, Leafs forward Phil Kessel continued his torrid start to the season with an unassisted goal just 19 seconds into the second period. Toronto native Daniel Winnik tied the game just three minutes later, assisted by Jan Hejda and Ryan O'Reilly.

The former second round pick may be enjoying a breakout season as a playmaking center, as O'Reilly already has five assists on the season after six games. His career high in assists is 18, set during his rookie year.

Milan Hejduk added a power play goal later in the period on a Tyler Bozak interference penalty, and Colorado entered the third period with a 2-1 lead. 

Toronto came out roaring in the third period, outshooting Colorado by an 11-4 margin. This extra effort paid off with five minutes left in the period, as Nikolai Kulemin tied the game on a rebound after Giguere made the initial save from a shot from the left faceoff circle, sending the game into overtime.

Just 1:11 into the extra period, David Jones added his team-leading fourth goal of the season and sealing the victory for Colorado.

With the victory, Colorado completes their franchise-best roadtrip. It was their third extra session victory in five games. After a perfect 5-0 record, they now head back to Denver for a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 20 before heading back out on the road for two more games. 

Avalanche Vs. Maple Leafs: Surprising Teams Face Off In Toronto

The Colorado Avalanche have won their first four games on a five game road trip. They are 4-1, and are tied for the most points in the NHL.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 3-0, and are tied for first in the Northeast Division.

It's safe to say that no one saw this coming.

Though it's still early in the season, the two most surprising teams in the NHL so far this season meet up at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Leafs forward Phil Kessel is enjoying a ridiculous start to the season, as his eight points (with five goals) is tied for the league lead -- and with only three games played. His linemate Joffrey Lupul, acquired via trade last season from the Anaheim Ducks, has also been a standout.

In net, James Reimer has a .927 SV% combined with a 2.33 GAA. The second year goaltender was awarded a three year contract extension this offseason after a strong rookie campaign, and he has continued right where he left off last spring.

But the real story of this game is the list of players facing their former teams. John-Michael Liles played seven seasons with Colorado, and was one of the team's leading scorers last season. He was traded to Toronto immediately before the NHL Entry Draft for a second round pick. Philippe Dupuis was Colorado's fourth line center last season, and signed with the Leafs as a free agent.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere was part of the goaltending tandem last season in Toronto with Reimer, but signed with Colorado as a free agent this past summer. Giguere will get the start in net against his former club after having an incredibly easy debut against the Ottawa Senators, stopping 15 of the 16 shots he faced.

Face off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MDT.

For more on this matchup, check out our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey, or check out our Maple Leafs blog Pension Street Puppets.

Avalanche Schedule 2011: Red Hot Colorado Opens Week Against Toronto

The Avalanche look to end their undefeated road trip with a victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs.