Colorado Avalanche Vs. Calgary Flames: Avalanche Cannot Overcome Early Deficit, Lose 4-3

The Colorado Avalanche entered the third period needing three goals to tie the Calgary Flames, and just 26 seconds into the period, Matt Duchene delivered on a 16-foot wrister. Unfortunately, their comeback effort fell short, and the Avalanche could not overcome their early game deficit.

With the deficit reduced to 4-2, David Jones (15:28) scored on a tip in, assisted by Ryan O'Reilly and Ryan Wilson, suddenly putting the game at 4-3, but the Avalanche could not find the net again despite emptying their own, losing with a final score of 4-3.

After out-shooting the Flames in the first period and the second period, Colorado again stayed aggressive around the Calgary net, firing 16 third-period shots to the Flames' 4. In total, Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff defended 39 shots for a .923 save percentage on the night.

Colorado's goalie, Semyon Varlamov had a rough beginning to the game, allowing four goals quickly to the typically low-scoring Flames offense. Varlmov finished the night with an .800 save percentage before the Avalanche went empty net for the final few minutes.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or stay tuned to SB Nation Denver.

Colorado Avalanche Vs. Calgary Flames: Avalanche Down 4-1, Looking For 3rd Period Comeback

After falling behind 3-0 in the first period, the Colorado Avalanche still need a three goal comeback to find their first win in the Northwest Conference tonight.

Ten minutes into in the second period, Lee Stempniak (10:24) scored his third goal of season, giving a 4-0 lead to the Calgary Flames and a fourth goal allowed to goalie Semyon Varlamov.

The Avalanche finally got on the board with under seven minutes remaining when Milan Hejduk scored an unassisted goal with his fourth shot of the game -- this one a 38 ft. wristshot -- giving him seven goals total on the season.

Colorado continues to out-shot the Calgary Flames through the first two periods, taking 13 shots to the Flames' 9, for a total of 23 shots to 16. Daniel Winnik leads the Avalanche into the final period with five shots, but no goals to his credit. Rene Bourque, who leads the Flames in goals this year, has three shots and no goals so far.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey.

Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames: Avalanche Looking To Overcome Early 3-0 Deficit

The Colorado Avalanche will need to come back in the final two periods if they want their first season win against the Calgary Flames. The Flames burst out early as Paul Byron (17:54), Jarome Iginla (14:13), and Curtis Glencross (5:49) all scored on Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov.

Despite mustering 10 shots to the Flames' 7, the Avalanche have been shut out through the first period by goalie Miikka Kiprusoff. Calgary, which has averaged only 2.07 goals per game, sits in the bottom of the Northwest Division. The Avalanche, meanwhile, have already met their 3.12 goals per game quota.

The Avalanche figure to pull Varlomav in favor of goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere in the second period. Colorado made a similar move recently when Varlomav was struggling against the Detroit Red Wings. Daniel Winnik currently leads the Avalanche with two shots on the goal.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey.

Avalanche Vs. Flames: Colorado Still Looking For 1st Division Win

After their dramatic comeback win against the New York Islanders on Thursday night, the Colorado Avalanche look to keep momentum in their favor at home as they face off against a very familiar foe; the Calgary Flames.

This is the third matchup between these two clubs in the past two weeks, and Calgary has won both previous games. The Avalanche are still looking for their first divisional victory of the season, having lost all three games this season against Northwest Division opponents. This continues a trend from last season, when Colorado went 7-16-1 against the Northwest en route to the second worst record in the NHL.

Calgary has been struggling this season against non-Avalanche opponents. They have scored one or fewer goals in four of six November games and have the league's second worst offense at 2.07 goals scored per game. Rene Bourque leads the team with five goals, yet has no assists on the season. Only four players on the entire roster have scored more than six points this season, a big warning sign for a team that has already played 15 games.

By comparison, the Avalanche have 10 players with more than six points this year -- including three defensemen. Kyle Quincey is tied for the team lead with 12 points. Though their home offense has been lacking this season, Colorado has to be optimistic about their offensive performance against the Islanders. They scored four goals on 53 shots (the highest number for the franchise since 2002) and could have easily scored two or three more if not for an absolutely brilliant performance by Islanders goalie Al Montoya.

Semyon Varlamov will start in net for Colorado in his first start since being pulled during the second period of Tuesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. He was the losing goalie in Sunday's 2-1 loss against the Flames.

Puck drops at 8:00 p.m. MDT at Pepsi Center

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Flames blog Matchsticks and Gasoline.

Islanders Vs. Avalanche Final Score: Colorado Wins 2nd Home Game With 4-3 Overtime Victory Over New York

After being down 3-0 late in the second period to the New York Islanders, the Colorado Avalanche scored three unanswered goals in regulation to force overtime. In the extra frame, Kyle Quincey shot the puck past Al Montoya to win the game, 4-3 (though at one point David Jones had been credited with the goal as a result of a deflection). This is just the Avalanche's second home victory this season, improving to 2-5.

At 1:53 into overtime, Islanders goalie Al Montoya was called for high-sticking, sending Brian Rolston to serve the penalty in the box. Forty-six seconds later Kyle Quincey fired off a shot right in front of Montoya and saw David Jones deflect it in for his sixth goal of the season and the win.

Paul Stastny scored the first Avalanche goal with 21 seconds left in the second period on a 5-on-3 power play. Milan Hejduk and Jan Hejda accounted for the other two Avalanche goals. Josh Bailey, Brian Rolston and Michael Grabner had the Islanders' goals.

The Avalanche managed to get 51 shots on Al Montoya's net while Jean-Sebastien Giguere faced 33 shots for his third win of the season.

Colorado (8-7-1, 17 points) resumes play on Saturday with a home game against the Calgary Flames.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey.

Islanders Vs. Avalanche Overtime Alert: Colorado Scores Twice In 3rd To Force Extra Time

The Colorado Avalanche did, in fact, have some fight left in them against thew New York Island. After Paul Stastny put the Avalanche on board late in the second period, the team scored two goals in the third period to tie the game at three and send the game into overtime. Milan Hejduk scored just over six minutes into the final frame to give some hope of life remaining in the team while Jan Hejda tallied a goal, his first of the season, about four minutes later to tie the game

The Avalanche dominated in shots during regulation with 47 against Islanders goalie Al Montoya. Montoya did take a late shove by Daniel Winnik and had the back of his head hit the ice. However, he remained in the game after being looked over by team trainers.. Jean-Sebastien Giguere provided Semyon Varlamov a breather and faced 33 shots in three periods.

Neither team was able to take much advantage of the power play. The Avalanche did score their first goal on their fifth power play, but the two teams were a combined 2-for-8.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey.

Islanders Vs. Avalanche Score: Paul Stastny Puts Colorado On Board, But Losing To New York, 3-1

The Colorado Avalanche find themselves down. 3-1, after two periods of play against the New York Islanders. Paul Stastny put the Avalanche on the board with just 21 seconds left to play in the period, helped largely by a 5-on-3 power play advantage. Matt Moulson and Jay Pandolfo put the Islanders in trouble by picking up high-sticking and holding penalties, respectively.

The Islanders went up, 2-0, early when Brian Rolston scored just 34 seconds into the period. Eight minutes into play, Michael Grabner almost had a breakaway but wound up in a 3-on-1 situation that saw him score the Islanders' third goal of the game.

The Avalanche continue to hold a shooting advantage over the Islanders, 31-23, but Al Montoya had been a brick wall in net until he let in the late goal. Can Jean-Sebastien Giguere keep the Islanders off the board if his teammates are able to score a few more goals? Twenty minutes remain to play.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey.

Islanders Vs. Avalanche Score: Josh Bailey Has New York Up, 1-0, After 1st Period

The Colorado Avalanche trail the New York Islanders, 0-1, at the conclusion of the first period of play at the Pepsi Center on Thursday night. The Islanders were on the power play as a result of T.J. Galiardi taking a goalie interference penalty and the Avalanche were just five second away from killing the penalty. However, on a face off in the Avalanche's zone, Islanders center Josh Bailey won the draw and then redirected the puck on a shot very near the blue. The puck went past Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the power play goal. It was Bailey's first goal of the season.

The Avalanche entered this game with the No. 1 power play in the league, but they failed on both power play opportunities. The team did outshoot the Islanders in the first period, 12-9. David Jones leads the team with three shots on net while defenseman Erik Johnson is next with two.

Through 19 periods at home, the Avalanche have scored a total of seven goals.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey.

Avalanche Vs. Islanders: Duchene And Tavares Face Off In Battle Of 2009 Draft

Coming off a dismal performance against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche head home for a game against the New York Islanders -- their only visit to Denver this season. With that loss, Colorado's hot road start to the season is a distant memory. The club's record now stands at 7-7-1, including a 1-5 record at Pepsi Center.

The Islanders and Avalanche are linked through the 2009 NHL Draft, when New York took center John Tavares with the first overall pick, allowing Colorado to select center Matt Duchene third overall.

I think it's safe to say that both teams are happy with their choices so far. Tavares is enjoying a breakout season after signing a contract extension this September worth $33 million over six years. Because their careers are so linked, this is a likely comparison for Matt Duchene when he reaches restricted free agency this next offseason.

On the ice this year, the Islanders have had their share of struggles. Aside from Tavares, goalscorers have been in short supply for New York -- only three other Islanders have scored more than two goals on the season. Their defense has allowed nearly 30 shots per game, putting added pressure on their trio of goaltenders.

Al Montoya will get the start in net for New York, and he has been their best goalie this season sporting a 2.12 GAA and a 2-2 record.

On the Colorado side, Peter Mueller continues to struggle in his attempted return from concussion issues. While rumored to be a possibility for the lineup tonight, he has been confirmed as a scratch. Jean-Sebastien Giguere will get his first start at Pepsi Center in an Avalanche sweater, as Semyon Varlamov gets a much-needed night off after being pulled midway through the Detroit game on Tuesday.

Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. MDT from Pepsi Center.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey.

Avalanche Vs. Red Wings Final Score: Detroit Wins 5-2

Getting dug into a three goal deficit on Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings was too much for the Colorado Avalanche, as the Red Wings pulled away with a 5-2 victory. The Avalanche trailed 3-0 early in the second period and managed to cut the lead to two goals on two separate occasions, but were unable to get any closer.

Already down 3-1 after two periods, the Red Wings piled on another goal by Daniel Cleary to push the lead to 4-1. Colorado quickly responded with a goal by Milan Hejduk on the power play just a couple minutes later, but they were unable to score again and Johan Franzen scored a garbage time goal after Colorado pulled its goalie to conclude the game's scoring at 5-2.

It's a disappointing loss for the Avalanche, who continue their struggles after a strong start to the season. The Avalanche won five of their first six games but have gone just 2-6-1 since then, including losses in each of their last four games. The team's now at .500 on the season, 7-7-1 overall, tying them with the Vancouver Canucks in the Northwest Division.

As for Detroit, it's a pretty important victory, as the team wins for a second time in a row coming off a brutal losing streak. The win actually pushes them up to 7-5-1 on the year, firmly in contention with the likes of Chicago and Nashville in the Central division.

For more updates on tonight's game, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Red Wings blog Winging It In Motown. For more news and notes from around the league, head over to SB Nation's hockey news hub.

Avalanche Vs. Red Wings Score Update: Red Wings Extend Lead, Up 3-1 After Two Periods

The Detroit Red Wings were up after one period against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, and they've only extended their lead to 3-1 after two periods. The Red Wings scored two quick goals to take a 3-0 lead early in the period before Colorado trimmed the like by one near the period's midway point.

The Red Wings got goals from Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen within the second period's first seven minutes, both on power plays. It was a bad start for the Avalanche, who presumably wanted to capitalize on a struggling Detroit team that had lost six of its past seven games. Colorado came back with a power play goal of its own by Gabriel Landeskog just a few minutes after Detroit extended its lead to three, but it wasn't a great period for the Avalanche.

Colorado now trails by two goals going into the final period at Joe Louis Stadium in Detroit.

For more updates on tonight's game, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Red Wings blog Winging It In Motown. For more news and notes from around the league, head over to SB Nation's hockey news hub.

Avalanche Vs. Red Wings Score Update: Red Wings Up 1-0 After 1st Period

I'll be honest, I'm always a little disappointed when an Avs-Wings game comes and goes without an epic brawl that involves both goaltenders. Granted, it's still early in Tuesday night's game, but we're 0-for-1-period so far. There has been some scoring, though. Detroit struck first on a goal by Nicklas Lidstrom about nine minutes into the game. It's Lidstrom's sixth goal of the season.

Statistically, the game has been relatively even, so it's too soon for panic from the Avalanche. Colorado holds a 10-8 advantage in shots on goal, a 9-7 edge in the faceoff circle, and both teams are 0-1 on the power play.

For more updates on tonight's game, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Red Wings blog Winging It In Motown. For more news and notes from around the league, head over to SB Nation's hockey news hub.

Avalanche Vs Red Wings: Rivals Meet In Detroit, Desperate For Consistency

The Colorado Avalanche opened their season at home against their old rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit used two fantastic shots to beat the new Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov on their way to a 3-0 nothing victory. It was their second victory in two nights after they bludgeoned the Ottawa Senators by a 5-3 margin.

They haven't enjoyed that level of success since Opening Weekend.

In those first two games, Detroit scored eight goals. In their last 10 games, they have scored a total of 21 goals en route to a 4-5-1 record -- including going six straight games without a win. Nick Lidstrom and Jonathan Franzen both have five goals apiece, but the rest of the team has been mostly absent from the boxscore. Henrik Zetterberg has three goals, but Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Kronwell, and Jiri Hudler only have two goals apiece. The elite depth that has carried the Red Wings for so long has simply not shown up this season, leading some to question if the NHL's oldest team (average age: 29.578 years) has simply become too old.

Jimmy Howard has been good (1.77 GAA). Backup Ty Coknklin has not (3.37 GAA). The defense has been their stalwart self, allowing only 29 goals on the season. The real problem is goal-scoring. If Detroit wants to get back to their Cup-Contender status this season, their veteran depth needs to show up on a consistent basis.

On the Colorado side, the Avalanche continue to be an enigma; impotent at home, dominant on the road. Semyon Varlamov has played well, but has shown some cracks from his early-season invincibility. He was shaky against the Dallas Stars this past weekend, but gets the start once again in net for Colorado. The newly created Matt Duchene/Paul Stastny/Milan Hejduk top line has been effective in their first two games, combining for five goals. Against a veteran Detroit blue line, they'll have to carry the scoring load.

Puck drops at 5:30 p.m. MDT from Joe Louis Arena.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Red Wings blog Winging It In Motown.

Avalanche Schedule Preview: Red Wings, Islanders, and Flames (Again!)

Colorado has three games on the schedule this week, including a matchup against the Detroit Red Wings