Eurolanche

Avs win 6-1 over Ducks

Here we go first game of what should be a new era for the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs are taking on the Anaheim Ducks to start the season in the new division. Starters for the Avs are Matt Duchene, Steve Downie, Ryan O'Reilly.On D is Cory Sarich, Andre Benoit and Goalie Valamov. This will be Patrick Roy debut game as coach. As well as Nathan MacKinnon first NHL game.

The Avs take the first penalty of the game. As we have already seen in preseason the Avs still have discipline issues. Some things will take a while to change. The Avs kill off the first penalty of the game. Later in the period the Avs old friend Daniel Winnik takes a hooking call to put the Avs on the PP. Duchene uses his speed to make a great chance for the Avs. Sadly nothing comes of it and the Ducks kill off the penalty.  The Avs take a 1-0 lead off a goal by O’Reilly. O’Reilly picks off an errant pass and makes the Ducks pay. The first end still 1-0 for the Avs. Both goalies making some big saves in the period. At the end of the firsts Avs lead the shots 14-7.

Stastny takes his second penalty of the game early in the second. Avs once again are able to kill off the penalty. The Avs get their second PP of the game. Once again Winnik goes to the box for the Ducks. This time the Avs get a goal. Steve Downie gets his first goal of the season on the PP. Avs take a 2-0 lead. O’Reilly and Alex Tanguay get the assists.  MacKinnon and Ducks defense Lovejoy both go to the box for tussling a bit and roughing penalties. The game goes to 4 on 4. The Avs take quick advantage and score to make it 3-0. John Mitchell gets his first of the season with assists from Tyson Barrie and Cody McLeod. Avs go on the PP again but do not score. Late in the second the Avs go up 4-0 with a goal from Jamie McGinn. MacKinnon gets his first career point with the assists on that goal. Tangauy gets his second point of the night as well. Shortly after the goal McLeod and the Ducks Pat Maroon engage in a fight. Varly makes a hug save to keep the Avs up 4-0 to end the second.  Avs lead the shot total 23-22 after 2.

Midway in the third the Avs take a 5-0 lead. Once again McGinn scores with a beautiful pass from MacKinnon. P.A. Parenteau gets the secondary assist. Roy’s line combos are looking super smart early on. The Avs get another PP and this time gets a goal to make it 6-0. Matt Duchene gets his first goal with assists from Tanguay and Downie. Tanguay now has 3 assists in his first game back as an Av. Late in the third Downie gets in a fight to complete the Gordie Howe hatrick. With 0.9 seconds left in the game the Ducks ruin Varly shutout bid. The Avs win the game 6-1 in their season opener.

Some quick things I noticed. Varly was hot and when he is hot he is epic! That being said the D looked shaky at times. That is going to happen for a while anyways. But on those days where Varly is off it could get very bad. Stastny got into trouble which means lots of angry comments on post-game articles about him. The Avs forwards were looking fierce and it nice to see effort all game. MacKinnon is looking very good early. He has grit he has speed he has my attention. On to the next one Go Avs Go.