"Avalanche coach Joe Sacco had general praise for his team despite a tough 4-3 loss Sunday to the San Jose Sharks. But there was some criticism reserved for the team's top line, led by its highest-paid player, Paul Stastny.

After a strong string of games following the Olympic break, Stastny had poor showings in the Avs' two- game road trip, including a zero-point, minus-3 game against the Sharks.

"There's no question Paul has to be one of our better players, night in and night out. We need more from him, and he knows that," Sacco said.

Stastny failed to record a point and was a minus-2 in Phoenix on Saturday, after recording at least one point in 11 of his previous 12 games.

Stastny's two linemates, Chris Stewart and TJ Galiardi, were a minus-3 each against the Sharks. Galiardi's turnover along the halfboards led to San Jose's third goal of the night, which gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead at 4:32 of the third."