Ice in the Rockies... A Colorado Avalanche Franchise

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The Denver Press

"Avalanche (6-2-0) @ Jets (4-1-2) Game Preview"

10/26/14 -- Matt Lamm

Winnipeg, Manitoba -- The Avalanche put their six game winstreak on the line tonight, facing a very tough Winnipeg team who themselves have put together a 4-1-2 record. A win in regular time for the Jets tonight will put them tied in the Central division with the Avalanche as well as the Stars.

The Jets have a league best 30.77 Powerplay %, and are averaging just under 4 goals a game. The Avalanche on the other hand, have just half of that percentage, but are averaging 4 goals a game will surrendering an average of just over 3, although that number has been decreasing in recent games.


The key to tonight's game for the Avalanche will be the numbers game. The Avalanche will need to avoid the box, as the Jet's will surely look to capitalize on any advantage they get. Expect a high-scoring, fast paced game tonight, and don't be surprised if the Jets successfully defend their home ice.

Final Prediction: Jets 4 - Avalanche 3

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The Denver Press

"Avalanche Fail to Complete Comeback, Winstreak Comes to an End"


10/26/14 -- Matt Lamm


Final Score: Jets 4 - Avalanche 3

Winnipeg, MB -- The Avalanche's six game winstreak comes to an end tonight, as they lose to the Jets to a tune of 4-3. As if that wasn't enough, COL C Matt Duchene left the game early with an undisclosed injury.

"I took a hit in our zone and something just didn't feel right," commented Duchene after the game, "I'm going to meet with trainers and we'll see what happens."

Duchene will most likely miss the Avalanche's next game vs the San Jose Sharks (2-7-1) and will look to suit up against the New York Islanders (4-3-1) later in the week, barring negative x-ray results.

The Avalanche almost closed the gap in the third period, following an own goal off a faceoff that put the Jets ahead 4-1 late in the game.

"That was embarrassing," said Colorado Goalie Semyon Varlamov "I let it go right between my legs off a faceoff. It stings even more knowing that that goal was the one that put them ahead at the end of the game."

The Avalanche look to shake off this bitter loss as they host the 2-7-1 San Jose Sharks, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on October 28, 2014.

Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets
Oct 26, 2014 1 2 3 F COL (6-3-0) 1 0 2 3 WPG (5-1-2) 2 1 2 4 Three Stars (WIN) M. Perreault 1G, 1A (WIN) E. Tangradi 1G, 1A (WIN) C. Thorburn 2A	Team Stats Comparison COL WPG Shots on Goal 35 24 Hits 13 16 Faceoffs Won-Lost 18/31 13/31 Penalty Minutes 09:00 09:00 Power Plays Converted 0 1 Power Play Opportunities 1 2 Time on Attack 07:13 06:50
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD COL 10:12 M. Talbot (1) (P. Bordeleau) WPG 12:39 M. Perreault (2) (E. Tangradi, C. Thorburn) WPG 17:44 E. Tangradi (1) (M. Perreault, C. Thorburn) SECOND PERIOD WPG 00:45 B. Wheeler (5) (D. Byfugien, A. Ladd) THIRD PERIOD WPG 04:06 M. Frolik (3) (Unassisted) (PP) COL 17:29 N. MacKinnon (8) (R. O'Reilly, N. Holden) COL 19:18 B. Stuart (3) (Unassisted)

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The Denver Press

"Sharks (2-7-1) @ Avalanche (6-3-0) Game Preview"

10/28/14 -- Matt Lamm

Denver, Colorado -- The Avalanche return home after splitting their short road trip 1-1. Coming off a tough loss two nights ago against the Winnipeg Jets, look for the Avalanche to bounce back tonight, trying to regain control of the Central Division.

The San Jose Sharks have struggled as of late, losing 8 of their last 10 (1 in an overtime loss). They are giving up about 1.5 goals more than they are scoring on average. They're also 1-6-0 on the road so far this season. Things can get out of hand very quickly for the Sharks if they drop another game on the road tonight.

Expect Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov to get the night off tonight after last games loss, and his replacement Reto Berra will look to make his 2nd start of the season. Colorado C Matt Duchene's status is doubtful.

Final Prediction: Avalanche 3 - Sharks 1

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The Denver Press

"Sharks Pull off Upset, Win in Shootout"

10/28/14 -- Matt Lamm

Final Score: Sharks 4 - Avalanche 3 (SO)


Denver, Colorado -- The Sharks did the unexpected tonight and beat the Avalanche, giving them their 3rd win of the season. They took an early lead 2-1 against the Avalanche after a long 1st period for backup Avalanche goalie Reto Berra.

The Avalanche would take the lead in the following period with two quick back to back goals scored by John Mitchell (2).

With 30 seconds left in the 3rd period, Logan Couture (2) would find the back of the net for the second time tonight for the Sharks to send it to overtime.

The Sharks would then shut the Avalanche out in the shootout, with goals from Joe Thornton as well as Patrick Marleau.

The Avalanche will look to get back on track as the New York Islanders (4-3-1) come to town on October 30, 2014.

San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche
Oct 28, 1 2 3 SO F SJS (3-7-1) 2 0 1 0/2 4 COL (6-3-1) 1 2 0 0/0 3 Three Stars (SJ) L. Couture 2G, 1A (COL) J. Mitchell 2G (SJ) A. Niemi 2.78 GAA%, 49 Saves, 94%	Team Stats Comparison SJS COL Shots on Goal 23 52 Hits 16 16 Faceoffs Won-Lost 20/40 20/40 Penalty Minutes 04:00 08:00 Power Plays Converted 1 0 Power Play Opportunities 4 2 Time on Attack 05:56 06:55
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD COL 00:29 A. Tanguay (1) (T. Barrie, E.Johnson) SJS 01:19 T. Hertl (1) (L. Couture, J. Braun) SJS 09:41 L Couture (1) (M. Nieto) SECOND PERIOD COL 00:43 J. Mitchell (1) (J. Iginla) COL 02:08 J. Mitchell (2) (R. O'Reilly, B. Stuart) THIRD PERIOD SJS 19:26 L. Couture (2) (P. Marleau, J. Demers) (PP) SHOOTOUT SJS J. Thornton SJS P. Marleau

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Colorado Avalanche Injury Report



Colorado Center Matt Duchene will be out for the next 2-3 weeks with an abdominal strain. Duchene was injured in Colorado's 4-3 loss against the Winnipeg Jets on 10/26/14. Duchene has currently 5 points in 9 games, with 1 goal and 4 assists. Duchene is projected to return on November 10. Nathan MacKinnon will be moved up to the first line in his place.

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The Denver Press

"Islanders (4-3-2) @ Avalanche (6-3-1) Game Preview"

10/30/14 -- Matt Lamm

Denver, Col -- Tonight's match-up is an interesting one between two teams that show a ton of potential. The Islander's have a roster that looks like it could really turn things around this year, while the Avalanche have dropped two after a surprising six game winstreak.

The Islanders are tied for 4th in the Metropolitan Division, while the Avalanche are tied for 2nd in the Central, but have also played the most games out of any team in their division. Both teams need a win tonight to try and separate themselves from cluttered divisions.

Both teams struggle to take advantage of the powerplay, both posting below an 17% conversion. Meanwhile, both teams give up a goal about 20% of the time when trying to kill the penalty, putting them just under if not at league average.

The Avalanche will be without starting Center Matt Duchene tonight, who announced that he would miss at least two weeks with an abdominal strain.

Despite missing their first linesman, the young rising star Nathan MacKinnon will start in his spot, who has been red hot lately and gets to show his stuff with the starters.

Both teams look around the same on paper, but as we've all seen the Avalanche are able to score 4-5 goals at any time. Expect something like that tonight, especially at home coming off of 2 losses.

Final Prediction: Avalanche 4 - Islanders 3

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The Denver Press

"Late Goals Help Put Avalanche Ahead, 4-3"

10/30/14 -- Matt Lamm

Final Score: Avalanche 4 - Islanders 3

*Disclaimer: I've somehow managed to predict 3 or 4 games correctly, not too shabby

Denver, Col. -- The Pepsi Center heard it's first boos of the year after the Islanders scored twice in the first period to put them ahead 2-0. Both goals came from Isles Mikhail Gravobski.

The Avalanche would not disappoint, as they scored two unanswered goals of their own in the 2nd period (C. McLeod, P. Bordeleau). In the third period, Ryan O'Reilly and Max Talbot would find eachother for goals of their own, putting the Avalanche past the Islanders who had scored earlier in the period.

"This win is a lot bigger than it seems," said Colorado Avalanche Ryan O'Reilly "I'm glad that we went out there and got the job done, and picked up a much needed win."

The Avalanche improve to 7-3-1 on the season, putting them in 1st place in the Central Division. The Avalanche will start off November on the road in St. Louis, taking on the 4-3-1 Blues.

New York Islanders at Colorado Avalanche
Oct 30, 2014 1 2 3 F NYI (4-4-1) 2 0 1 3 COL (7-3-1) 0 2 2 4 Three Stars (COL) M. Talbot 1G, 1A (COL) P. Bordeleau 1G, 1A, 2H (NYI) M. Grabovski 2G	Team Stats Comparison NYI COL Shots on Goal 20 32 Hits 15 17 Faceoffs Won-Lost 14/28 14/28 Penalty Minutes 07:00 09:00 Power Plays Converted 1 0 Power Play Opportunities 3 1 Time on Attack 06:30 07:51
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD NYI 10:53 M. Grabovski (1) (M. Grabner, T. Hamonic) NYI 13:49 M. Grabovski (2) (C. Conacher, T. Hamonic) SECOND PERIOD COL 06:19 C. McLeod (1) (P. Bordeleau, B. Stuart) COL 07:37 P. Bordeleau (1) (B. Stuart, J. Winchester) THIRD PERIOD NYI 11:36 N. Kulemin (1) (F. Nielsen, C. Conacher) (PP) COL 13:02 R. O'Reilly (1) (M. Talbot) COL 18:26 M. Talbot (1) (R. O'Reilly, J. Iginla)

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End of October Recap

NHL Standings - Updated: Oct 31, 2015
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	OTL	PTS
Washington Capitals	8	1	0	16
Boston Bruins	7	3	1	15
New York Rangers	6	2	1	13
New Jersey Devils	5	3	1	11
Toronto Maple Leafs	5	4	1	11
Tampla Bay Lightning	5	4	1	11
Carolina Hurricanes	5	3	0	10
Philadelphia Flyers	5	4	0	10
New York Islanders	4	4	2	10
Detroit Red Wings	4	4	1	9
Pittsburgh Penguins	3	3	2	8
Ottawa Senators	3	4	2	8
Montreal Canadiens	4	6	0	8
Florida Panthers	2	4	1	5
Buffalo Sabres	1	6	3	5
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	OTL	PTS
Colorado Avalanche	7	3	1	15
Los Angeles Kings	7	2	0	14
Winnipeg Jets	6	1	2	14
Edmonton Oilers	7	3	0	14
Minnesota Wild	6	1	1	13
Chicago Blackhawks	5	2	2	12
Dallas Stars	5	2	2	12
Calgary Flames	5	4	2	12
Arizona Coyotes	5	3	0	10
St. Louis Blues	4	3	1	9
Anaheim Ducks	4	6	0	8
Nashville Predators	3	5	1	7
San Jose Sharks	3	7	1	7
Vancouver Canucks	1	5	3	5

Colorado Avalanche Stats - 2015
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
J. Mitchell	11	4	6	10	1	0	18	47	8.5%
N. Holden	11	0	9	9	6	0	7	11	0.0%
N. MacKinnon	11	8	1	9	2	2	6	50	16%
D. Briere	11	5	3	8	4	0	6	32	15.6%
B. Stuart	11	3	5	8	4	0	15	12	25.0%
R. O'Reilly	9	3	4	7	1	1	0	29	10.3%
P. Bordeleau	9	1	5	6	7	0	5	17	5.9%
J. Iginla	11	2	4	6	-2	0	22	35	5.7%
E. Johnson	11	0	6	6	2	1	8	10	0.0%
R. Wilson	11	0	5	5	3	0	0	7	0.0%
M. Duchene	9	1	4	5	0	0	2	29	3.5%
A. Tanguay	11	4	0	4	0	0	2	27	14.8%
M. Talbot	10	2	2	4	5	2	5	19	10.5%
C. McLeod	11	3	1	4	2	1	6	26	11.5%
J. McGinn	11	2	2	4	3	0	2	28	7.1%
G. Landeskog	11	2	2	4	1	0	9	45	4.4%
T. Barrie	11	0	4	4	3	0	0	19	0.0%
J. Winchester	6	2	1	3	3	0	2	11	18.2%
J. Hejda	11	0	2	2	2	0	8	10	0.0%
M. Cliche	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	3	0.0%
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
S. Varlamov	9	6	3	0	30	543	273	.890%	0
R. Berra	2	1	0	1	6	128	46	.870%	0