Do You Know the Way to Win in San Jose (Feb 6)

Two nights after giving a point away at home, the Avs ventured to San Jose to play one of the best teams in the West in the San Jose Sharks. Though the Sharks have had their troubles at home this year, I didn’t envision things going great for the Avs heading into this one. I am still holding steadfast in my position that the month of February, in particular the games leading up to the trade deadline February 26, as being the determining factor of the Avs future this season.
After the letdown against the Coyotes, this game was even bigger for the Avs, and they definitely showed they were ready to play in the first period. The Avs played possibly their best period on the road this season. They were able to dictate the play for the entire period, especially in the Sharks zone, as the Avs outshot San Jose 13-4, and Jose Theodore making his first start after missing 3 games due to back spasms was able to ease his way into the game. At the same time, they were able to keep the Sharks from getting much going, and held big Joe Thornton and company in check. Ben Guite put the Avs on the board first halfway through the period with a sweet deflection of a Brett Clark shot. The shot appeared to be going wide, a little more than waist high, and Guit coming across the front of the net, was able to re-direct it back into the net. That was Guite’s 3^rd goal in as many games.
After a brilliant first 20 minutes, a seemingly different Avalanche team came out in the second period. For that matter, the Sharks realized the game was already a third of the way over and decided they should probably start playing. One thing that was evident throughout this game was how different this Avs team was than the one that lost 2 of 3 to the Sharks earlier in the season. The Sharks are a big, strong, quick team that had physically overmatched the Avs, and I’m not sure if they were ready for what the Avs had for them in the first period. This Avs team is not afraid to throw the body around, and Cody McLeod in particular was able to make his presence known with his limited ice time. Anyway, the Sharks took over in the second. They took the play to the Avs and did a great job of controlling the puck in the Avs end. Just under 6 minutes into the period, the Sharks were able to tie the game on a Patrick Marleau PP goal on a pretty cross-ice feed by Sandis Ozolinsh. Yes, THAT Sandish Ozolinsh. The Avs fell victim again of playing complacent once again with a 1-0 lead, something they have become accustomed to much of the year. But alas, seven minutes later, the Avs took the lead once again with a power play tally of their own, scored by none other than T.J. Hensick on another deflection of a Brett Clark point shot. Hensick’s 5^th goal in the last 4 games by the way. With the lead once again, the Avs went back on the defensive and were able to milk the clock and get out of the period with that lead.
The third period went pretty much the same way as the second. The Sharks had the puck a lot, had several great chances, and Jose Theodore stood on his head. Theodore was by far the only reason the Avs were able to stay ahead. The Avs had a couple good chances in the period, but weren’t able to capitalize. I though the lines of Wolski-Arnason-Svatos and Laperriere-Guite-Richardson played the best in this game. They were the only lines that were able to create any pressure, and Guite’s line did a great job against Thornton’s line. I will be shocked if the Sharks don’t win the Pacific. They are a VERY solid team, and Nabokov is the real deal. The only question I have is whether or not he will continue this pace and play 78-80 games this year, and how will that affect him coming down the stretch and into the playoffs. Also, Patrick Marleau was the best player for the Sharks on this night. If he keeps that level of play up, the Sharks are only going to be tougher. Getting back to the game now. The Avs were able to barely hold their lead despite several near misses by the Sharks and Jeff Finger potted an empty netter with half a second left in the game.
My rants of the evening:
After a bitter tasting OT loss in their previous game, Jose Theodore stole a victory in this game, and was by far the number 1 star of the game. I’m not going to lie, I am not a fan of the Avs trying to sit on 1 goal leads. It’s one thing to do it late in the game, but to try and play 45-50 minutes of that is a lot to ask. A good chunk of the 3^rd period, the Sharks were given the time and space to make even strength play look like a power play. Granted the Avs did win, but I like being critical… Congrats to Ian Laperriere who played in his 900th career NHL game... Tyler Arnason has 9 points in the last 6 games… T.J. Hensick continues to have the hot hand, especially on the PP, but his minutes have droppes in each of the last 3 games. I just don’t get it, don’t most guys get more minutes when they have the hot hand? Hlinka playing with Hejduk and Brunette isn’t working, thank god Stastny is coming back Saturday. With that said, where does that leave Hensick who will now be the 5^th center? Do the Avs send him back down to Lake Erie?

Numbers!!!
Goals
1 – 10:24 of 1^st - COL Guite (7) from Clark (15) and Laperriere (12)
2 – 5:53 of 2^nd - SJ PP Marleau (10) from Ozolinsh (12)
3 – 12:51 of 2^nd - COL PP Hensick (6) from Clark (16) and Arnason (17)
4 – 19:59 of 3^rd – COL EN Finger (5) unassisted

SOG
Avs: 13-5-7 – 25
Sharks: 4-16-11 – 31

PP
Avs: 1-4
Sharks: 1-3

Standings:
Avs: 63 Points – 5^th in West
Sharks: 65 Points – 4^th in West

Avs Next 5:
2/9 – @ VAN
2/12 – ANA
2/14 – STL
2/17 - @CHI
2/18 - DET