SB Nation Denver - Colorado Avalanche Fall To St. Louis Blues, 4-0, See 4-Game Winning Streak Endhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2012-01-07T20:53:16-07:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24409852012-01-07T20:53:16-07:002012-01-07T20:53:16-07:00Avalanche Vs. Blues Final Score: St. Louis Cruises To 4-0 Victory Over Colorado
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> were unable to extend its winning streak to five games, falling to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">St. Louis Blues</a> on Saturday night, 4-0. There was just nothing good about this game.</p>
<p>The Avalanche managed to get just 15 shots on net against former goalie <span>Brian Elliott</span>, including two in the opening period. St. Louis, though, put 39 shots on net, including 18 in the second period. <span>Jean-Sebastien Giguere</span> allowed all four goals.</p>
<p><span>Patrik Berglund</span> and former Avalanche defenseman <span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span> scored the two first period goals while <span>Jason Arnott</span> and <span>David Backes</span> each scored a power play goal in the second period. While the Blues converted two of five power play opportunities, the Avalanche went 0-for-4.</p>
<p>The Avalanche (23-18-1, 47 points) are off for the next two days to regroup before hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a> on Tuesday night. It will the first game in a home-and-home series this coming week.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage, visit our<a href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/" target="_blank"> Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/" target="_blank">Blues blog St. Louis Game Time.</a></i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2012/1/7/2690866/avalanche-vs-blues-final-score-2012Russ Oates2012-01-07T11:58:47-07:002012-01-07T11:58:47-07:00Avalanche Vs Blues: Colorado Closes Out Road Trip Looking For 5th Straight Victory
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> are officially on a roll. After dominating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> by a 4-0 score on Friday night, Colorado has won four games in a row and nine of their past 10 games. They face their most difficult challenge of the road trip in the finale, a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">St. Louis Blues</a>.</p>
<p>The Blackhawks were on the second game of back-to-back nights, and it certainly showed as Colorado outhustled and outworked Chicago to the puck. The Avalanche face a similar challenge on Saturday night with their second game in two nights against a Central Division playoff contender. St. Louis has been dominant at home this season, boasting a 16-3-2 record at Scottrade Center. </p>
<p>The Blues have ridden a stingy defense and spectacular goaltending towards the top of the Western Conference standings, though there are some warning signs. They have only scored 103 goals on the season (23rd in the league) and starting goaltender <span>Brian Elliott</span> has slowed from his torrid first half of the season. Elliott has only won one of his past four games with a middling .901 SV% over that span. He will get the start for St. Louis against Colorado. Former Avalanche winger <span>Chris Stewart</span> has been hot lately, with five goals in his past 10 games to lead the team.</p>
<p>For Colorado, it will mark the return of <span>Erik Johnson</span> and <span>Jay McClement</span> to their former hometown for the first time this season. Johnson had one of his best games of the season against Chicago, finishing with two assists and a +3 rating. Colorado won their first two meetings of the season, both 3-2 victories at Pepsi Center.</p>
<p><span>Jean-Sebastien Giguere</span> will get the start in net for Colorado, giving Varlamov a rest after this shutout victory on Friday night.</p>
<p>Puck drops at 6:00 p.m. MDT</p>
<p><i><b>For more coverage, visit our<a href="http://www.milehighhockey.com" target="_blank"> Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com" target="_blank">Blues blog St. Louis Game Time.</a></b></i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2012/1/7/2689711/avalanche-vs-blues-colorado-closes-out-road-trip-looking-for-5thMuzia2012-01-06T21:56:08-07:002012-01-06T21:56:08-07:00Avalanche Vs. Blackhawks: Avs Coast To Easy 4-0 Road Victory
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<div style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" class="commentable-body">
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><font face="Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif" color="#333333"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> continued their incredibly hot play on Friday night with a 4-0 defeat of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>, bringing their win streak to four games as they climb up the Northwest Division standings. The victory was also the Avs ninth in their past ten games, with their last loss coming to the Winnipeg <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Jets</a> on Dec. 27. </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Avs started off the night with a goal in the first period thanks to <span>David Jones</span>, who netted his eight of the season on assists from <span>Erik Johnson</span> and <span>T.J. Galiardi</span>. The scoring continued in the second period when Galiarni put his seventh goal of the season past Blackhawks goalie <span>Corey Crawford</span>, which was followed up by David Van der Gulik's first goal of the season to extend the lead to 3-0. The Avs added a garbage time goal from <span>Chuck Kobasew's</span> fifth goal of the season.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Avs will look to continue their win streak on Saturday when they travel to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">St. Louis Blues</a>.</span></p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more coverage, visit our <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #0a5069; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #0a5069; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Hawks blog Second City Hockey</a>.</span></i></p>
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<p style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" class="byline"><span style="padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; position: absolute; top: -1px; left: 0px; width: 41px; text-align: center; color: #333333; line-height: 1.25em; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #dddddd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0px;" class="ntime"><a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" title="mark as major?" class="normal" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/sbn/hub_posts/toggle_major_update?node_id=2451733&stream_id=2440985"></a></span></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2012/1/6/2688864/avalanche-vs-blackhawks-recap-score-update-statsrayrayrayrayrayrayrayray2012-01-06T13:55:48-07:002012-01-06T13:55:48-07:00Avalanche Vs. Blackhawks: Colorado Rolls Into Chicago On Winning Streak
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> continued their winning ways earlier this week with a shootout victory against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a>. They hope to continue their winning ways against the Central Division leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>.</p>
<p>Chicago is coming of an incredibly disappointing 5-4 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> on Thursday night, a game where they fought back from a 4-2 deficit only to watch the Flyers score the game winning goal in the final minute of regulation. The Hawks have now lost two straight games (and three of their last four) and face the inenviable task of playing a rested Avalanche team on the second night of a back to back.</p>
<p><span>Corey Crawford</span> will be the likely starter in net. After receiving a three year extension this offseason, Crawford is having a very average season in net. His .904 SV% is hovering around league average and he has seen his playing time split with journeyman backup <span>Ray Emery</span> this year -- not quite what the Blackhawks front office had in mind entering this season.</p>
<p>Colorado is finishing their four game road trip with back to back games against Chicago and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">St. Louis Blues</a>. With teams like Phoenix, Minnesota, and Nashville all failing to gain ground in the playoff hunt, the Avalanche have a golden opportunity to keep pace in the postseason chase with a successful weekend. Their lack of offensive depth will be challenged against two playoff caliber teams.</p>
<p><span>Semyon Varlamov</span> is likely to get the start in net after his most dominant performance of the year in Los Angeles. </p>
<p>Puck drops at 6:30 p.m. MDT.</p>
<p><i><b>For more coverage, visit our <a href="http://www.milehighhockey.com" target="_blank">Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a href="http://www.secondcityhockey.com" target="_blank">Hawks blog Second City Hockey</a>.</b></i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2012/1/6/2687692/avalanche-vs-blackhawks-colorado-rolls-into-chicago-on-winning-streakMuzia2012-01-03T07:35:18-07:002012-01-03T07:35:18-07:00Avalanche Vs. Kings Final Score: Colorado Defeats Los Angeles In Shootout, 2-1
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<p>A late goal by Ryan O'Reilly in the third period to tie the game helped spark the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> in Monday's contest against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a>. The Avalanche wound up winning the game, 2-1, in a shootout.</p>
<p>The Kings first got on the board in the second period with a goal by <span>Dustin Brown</span> at 1:34 off the clock, which ended more than a period of scoreless play. And it looked like the Kings were going to take the victory until O'Reilly tied the game at one with a little over five minutes left in the game.</p>
<p>After a scoreless overtime period, things went to a shootout. After Jarret Stoll missed the first attempt, <span>Milan Hejduk</span> netted a goal against Jonathan Quick. The Kings missed their next two shots, giving the Avalanche the 1-0 advantage in the shootout and the 2-1 victory.</p>
<p>The Avalanche (22-18-1, 45 points) visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> on Friday.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage, visit our <a href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/" target="_blank">Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" target="_blank">Kings blog Jewels From The Crown</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2012/1/3/2678941/avalanche-vs-kings-final-score-Russ Oates2012-01-02T22:31:39-07:002012-01-02T22:31:39-07:00Avalanche Vs. Kings Score Update: Los Angeles Leads 1-0 After Two Periods
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> are not doing goalie <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> any favors through the first two periods of the team's Monday night matchup against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a>. The Kings have peppered Varlamov with shots throughout and lead 1-0 with one period remaining at the Staples Center.</p>
<p>Kings forward <span>Dustin Brown</span> beat Varlamov to score his 10th goal of the season off assists from <span>Anze Kopitar</span> and <span>Mike Richards</span>. Despite a flurry of shots, Varlamov has otherwise kept the Kings' offense at bay.</p>
<p>LA has out-shot the Avalanche 21-12 through the first two periods. The Kings hold a slight edge in hits (29-21), while the Avs hold an edge in faceoff wins (18-11).</p>
<p>There was just one penalty in the second period: Colorado's <span>T.J. Galiardi</span> was whistled for a two minute minor penalty for roughing against the Kings' <span>Andrei Loktionov</span>.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage, visit our <a href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/" target="_blank">Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" target="_blank">Kings blog Jewels From The Crown</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2012/1/2/2678509/avalanche-vs-kings-score-updateRicky O'Donnell2012-01-02T21:38:16-07:002012-01-02T21:38:16-07:00Avalanche Vs. Kings Score Update: Colorado, LA End First Period In Scoreless Tie
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> have won seven of their last eight games, and the Avs are looking to continue their recent stellar play on Monday against the LA <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Kings</a> at the Staples Center. Through one period, the Avalanche and Kings are knotted in a scoreless tie.</p>
<p>LA seemingly out-played the Avalanche in the first period, but Colorado goalie <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> made several quality saves. The Kings out-shot the Avs 12-5 in the period, but Colorado holds an edge in both hits (13-12) and faceoff wins (12-7).</p>
<p>There were three penalties in the third period. Colorado's Ryan O'Reilly drew a four-minute double minor for high sticking on <span>Jack Johnson</span> just 20 seconds in to the period. Seven seconds later, LA's <span>Mike Richards</span> was whistled for a two minute interference penalty on Shane O'Brien. O'Brien drew the final penalty of the period when he was sent to the box for two minutes after getting called for cross checking on <span>Colin Fraser</span>.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage, visit our <a href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/" target="_blank">Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" target="_blank">Kings blog Jewels From The Crown</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2012/1/2/2678424/avalanche-vs-kings-score-updateRicky O'Donnell2012-01-02T11:43:51-07:002012-01-02T11:43:51-07:00Avalanche Vs. Kings: Colorado Starts Off New Year In Los Angeles
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> are on an absolute roll, winning eight of their last 10 games -- including two road games in a row. They begin the 2012 year in the midst of a four game road trip fresh off a dominant 4-2 performance against the struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.anaheimcalling.com/">Anaheim Ducks</a>.</p>
<p>Colorado continues their California road trip with a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a>. The Kings have not been the juggernaut many predicted earlier this season, but they have certainly responded under their new head coach Darryl Sutter, having won four of the first six games under his command. Los Angeles has a tenuous lead atop the Pacific Division, and could pull away from the rest of the pack with a January schedule that features eight home games. </p>
<p>But first, they need to score some goals. It's shocking that a team featuring <span>Anze Kopitar</span>, <span>Mike Richards</span>, <span>Dustin Brown</span>, <span>Simon Gagne</span>, and <span>Drew Doughty</span> could rank 29th in the league in goals scored -- only two goals ahead of the last place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a>. Over the last 10 games, only Dustin Brown has scored more than two goals on the Kings roster. They aren't getting any help from special teams, as the Kings rank 25th in the league with a 14.4% success rate with the extra skater. Goalie <span>Jonathan Quick</span> has been special once again this year, keeping the Kings afloat with his 2.05 GAA for the season.</p>
<p>For Colorado, they will have to depend on depth rather than top talent. With <span>Matt Duchene</span> missing the next month due to a knee injury, players like <span>Paul Stastny</span>, <span>Milan Hejduk</span>, and Ryan O 'Reilly will have to carry the offensive load. The return of winger <span>David Jones</span> could also help offset the lack of production the team will face with Duchene's extended absence. This past month, the team has found an identity of tight penalty kill, strong goaltending, and hustle plays from the third and fourth lines. These trends must continue for Colorado to continue success against a more difficult slate of competition.</p>
<p>Goalie Semyon Varlamov is expected to <a href="http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2012/01/01/varlamov-in-net-tomorrow-vs-kings/9299/" target="_blank">start in net against Los Angeles, as reported by the Denver Post.</a> Jonathan Quick will <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/curtiszupke/status/153905511425785856" target="_blank">start the game for Los Angeles.</a></p>
<p>Puck drops at 8:30 p.m. MDT</p>
<p>For more coverage, visit our <a href="http://www.milehighhockey.com" target="_blank">Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey</a> and our <a href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com" target="_blank">Kings blog Jewels From The Crown</a>.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2012/1/2/2676960/avalanche-vs-kings-colorado-starts-off-new-year-in-los-angelesMuzia