Young Avalanche Squad giving the number one seed a run for its money.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
The series stands at three games to two in favor of San Jose, reminiscent of the Olympic days of old, where Russian goliaths stood on one end and a group of American college boys cowered at the other. The young Colorado squad have beaten the expectations of NHL experts and fans alike, and its winning formula of good defense and excellent goal tending has given this rowdy bunch an opportunity to pull out a major upset. So far, out of the five match-ups only one has been won in regulation (5-0 San Jose in game 5). It really has been a battle of the goal-tending. Both teams have excellent net-minders.
Avalanche rookie Matt Duchene has faced a lot of pressure so far in the post-season as he is a top three candidate for the Rookie of the Year Calder Trophy. Thus far only posting three points on three assists and no goals, to win this series he is going to need to pick-up the slack and bring his regular-season scoring ways back into the post-season. Having scored 24 goals and 31 assists in the regular season, those abilities would be greatly appreciated to break this tie in our favor.
The San Jose Sharks, being one of the most offensive AND defensive powerhouses for the past few years, they have been more than inconsistent in the post-season. The inconsistency has reared its ugly head for this team yet again this year. As the number one seed has perhaps met its match in the number eight seeded Colorado boys.
The Avalanche, on the other side, have only one multiple goal scorer in Chris Stewart, with three goals so far. Furthermore, only ten players have made the score sheet as of now, with hotshot Paul Stastny leading the way with four points, 1 goal and 3 assists. Craig Anderson is the toast of the town, though, after a 51 save night that allowed San Jose Shark Defenseman, Dan Boyle, to score on his own net in over-time lifting the Avalanche for the win.
Avalanche need offense, end of story. The stone-wall, Adam Foote lead boys have not produced anything near a shadow of their former point-producing selves. They have done half the job already, held the Sharks to very few goals. Now to really bring the hammer down Duchene, Stastny, Yip, and Stewart need to bring on the dynamite and start to explode. Win or lose, one thing is for certain: these last two or three match-ups will be some for the ages. No matter the result, Colorado’s Frozen Force has really set a high tone for themselves to match next season. Lets go boys!
