Oilers-Avalanche: 20 Minutes Does Not a Game Make

The Oilers finally got some good puck possession deep in the Avs zone with just under four minutes gone and with a good cycle going Cumiskey was called for a rather weak tripping call. The Oilers continued the pressure for most of the power play with Marty Reasoner having the best chance from close range that Budaj kicked away.

7:30 gone and Joni Pitkanen had and end to end rush that resulted in a centering pass that was just out of the reach of Stoll. The Oilers had another rush that resulted in the puck going behind the net. Stoll then took the defender into the boards and the puck jumped right to Torres who moved from behind the net and tucked the puck under Budaj.

4-1 Avalanche at

The Avalanche came back off the face-off and as they were driving the stick of Brunette went through the ear-hole of Staios’ helmet and the Oilers had their fourth power play of the game. The first 30 seconds of the power play saw Ben Guite break out alone and he tried to deke Garon but Garon made a big skate save. The Oilers then had a chance but a pass from Hemsky rolled right through the crease.

The Avalanche killed the penalty and it was another breakaway this time for Ryan Smyth. As he moved in and went to deke, Garon made a big poke check to deny him. Steve Staios was called for an extremely weak hooking call on the play.

The first minute of the power play was dominated by the Oiler penalty killers. Then Hejduk set up Sakic cutting across the front of the net and his deflection went inches wide of the net. The Oilers did a good job of killing the remainder of the penalty.

The Oilers again moved back down the ice. Sam Gagner sent a pass back to the point to Denis Grebeshkov and his shot is deflected by Horcoff up and over Budaj.

4-2 Avalanche at 14:11

The Oilers came right back again with first Torres and then Hemsky having scoring chances that Budaj is able to save. The Oilers continued to buzz the Avalanche net and it was then Sanderson with a wrap-around attempt that Budaj got the paddle down on.

Colorado then had a chance with 3 minutes to go as Guite was in alone on Garon but again it was Garon making the save. With 2:35 to go the Oilers pulled Garon in favor of the extra attacker. It looked at this time that the Avalanche were just hanging on.

The Oilers had all the pressure during the last 2:30 but they were unable to beat Budaj a third time and the Avs were unable to score into the empty net.

I really don’t understand this team at times. They played a good third period but where was that same effort during the first two periods.

I also can’t figure out why offensively talented players such as Nilsson, Sanderson and Cogliano sat during most of the third period while offensively challenged players like Reasoner and Stortini continued to take shifts especially since neither was on the ice for any of the four Avalanche goals tonight. I am dumbfounded with MacTavish at times because he appeared to bench those 2 players but guys like “donate the puck” Grebeshkov continues to play. I am not sure of the thinking behind it but stupid coaching will eventually cost a coach his job.

The Oilers now go home Friday to face the Anaheim Ducks.

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