After being completely dominated by the San Jose Sharks for 50 minutes, Colorado decided to finally start playing their style of hockey with 11 minutes left in the game. The Avalanche had managed only 12 shots on goal through the first two periods and found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-1 score.
But then, John-Michael Liles continued his stellar play this season, carrying the puck through the neutral zone and finding a streaking Chris Stewart for a goal to pull Colorado within one score. Liles added two assists to his season total, and now has 18 points in 18 games, leading all NHL defensemen, Minutes later, Paul Stastny fired an absolute rocket (on another Liles pass) from the left faceoff circle, beating San Jose goalie Antero Niittymaki up top to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Just two minutes into overtime, forward Kevin Porter found himself on a breakaway in the San Jose zone and shot the puck as he fell to the ice, giving the Avalanche an improbable victory over San Jose. Porter now has six points in his last six games, including four goals.
Peter Budaj was a main factor in this game with his best game of the season. With the sheer number of shots he faced, his consistent and occasionally spectacular play kept Colorado within striking distance.