Colorado Avalanche News: Pro Sports Daily

Avs' captain Hejduk frustrated by continuing lack of goals

February 4

Denver Post

"Milan Hejduk has been through slumps before, but he admits this is probably the worst of his career. It's not just because of the numbers: three goals in his past 27 games, two of the three in one game and only one of the three at even strength. What has made this the toughest stretch of his career is because of that big "C" on his sweater. "I think it's a little worse, because you want to be the leader on the ice, the guy who shows the way out," the Avalanche captain said Friday. "And right now, I'm not scoring goals, so it's frustrating. Being the captain, you feel a little more responsibility for things when they are not going well.""

Avalanche's slumping David Jones sits out game vs. Wild as healthy scratch

February 3

Denver Post

"David Jones was the Avalanche's leading goal scorer last season with 27. Thursday night, in the Avs' biggest game to date, Jones was in street clothes as a healthy scratch. It has gotten that bad for Jones, who did not produce a point in his previous seven games and remained stuck on nine goals for the season. He has scored just two goals since Nov. 15. The question about Jones as the NHL's Feb. 27 trade deadline gets closer: Will he be dealt away? As a potential unrestricted free agent after this season, he might."

Avalanche fall to Wild, 1-0, for fourth straight loss

February 3

Denver Post

"The Avalanche's record against divisonal opponents is now 2-12. The number of overall consecutive losses is now four. The number of goals scored in those four contests is six. Thoughts of a playoff appearance are beginning to seem awfully far out now. Somebody cue the tape of football coach Jim Mora talking about the playoffs. It's starting to apply to the Avalanche."

Backstrom is back, shutting out the Avs

February 3

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Mike Yeo met with Niklas Backstrom after the All-Star break. The Wild coach told him it was time for one of the goaltenders -- Backstrom or Josh Harding -- to step up, seize control of the nets and get on a run. Thursday night at Colorado, Backstrom, quiet in his crease and in control throughout, made 37 saves for his 25th career shutout as the Wild beat the Avalanche 1-0 for its second victory at the Pepsi Center in nine nights. "He [Backstrom] said right there he'd like to be that guy [to get the majority of the starts], and he's obviously going to get another chance [Saturday] in Dallas," Yeo said. "I thought he was in control all night. He was seeing pucks and he was controlling his"

Backstrom is back, shutting out the Avs

February 3

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Mike Yeo met with Niklas Backstrom after the All-Star break. The Wild coach told him it was time for one of the goaltenders -- Backstrom or Josh Harding -- to step up, seize control of the nets and get on a run. Thursday night at Colorado, Backstrom, quiet in his crease and in control throughout, made 37 saves for his 25th career shutout as the Wild beat the Avalanche 1-0 for its second victory at the Pepsi Center in nine nights. "He [Backstrom] said right there he'd like to be that guy [to get the majority of the starts], and he's obviously going to get another chance [Saturday] in Dallas," Yeo said. "I thought he was in control all night. He was seeing pucks and he was controlling his"

Avalanche's Peter Mueller, Erik Johnson teammates as peewees too

February 2

Denver Post

"When Peter Mueller scored the first of his two goals Jan. 18 against Florida — his first goals since April 2010 — the moment awakened significant childhood memories for him and Avalanche teammate Erik Johnson. Johnson, a defenseman, assisted on the goal that completed Mueller's 18-month battle with concussionlike symptoms to get back on NHL ice. And it made them feel like they were preteens back in Bloomington, Minn., where they grew up as two of the best players to play for the tradition-rich Bloomington Jefferson Hockey Club. "It's almost like a weird dream, that you're actually playing together right now after knowing each other from such a young age," said Mueller, a forward."

Giguere back in goal for Avalanche on Thursday vs. Wild

February 2

Denver Post

"Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere will start Thursday night in a key Northwest Division showdown against the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center. Colorado coach Joe Sacco will give Giguere his fifth start in the team's last six games, after 23-year-old Semyon Varlamov took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 setback at Edmonton, the first game back from the All-Star break. The Avs practiced this afternoon after a long night of travel, returning to Denver around 2:30 a.m."

Avs lose again with Varlamov in net, this time to Edmonton Oilers, 3-2

February 1

Denver Post

"Well rested and seemingly well positioned to get back in the win column against the second-worst team in the NHL's Western Conference, Tuesday night's return to the crease proved to be an opportunity lost for the Avalanche and goaltender Semyon Varlamov in a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. "Now it's post all-star break, and I believe there's another gear you need to get too. Much like if you're a team that makes the playoffs. In order for us to achieve what we want to achieve as a team, we have to find that next gear right now," Avs coach Joe Sacco said before the game."

Single-goal losses getting old for Colorado Avalanche

February 1

Denver Post

"Tuesday night's 3-2 loss marked the eighth one-goal defeat this season for the Avalanche in regulation. Colorado came to Edmonton with a 17-7-2 record in games decided by a single goal this season. The game against the Oilers also was the fourth one-goal game in the last five outings for Colorado."

Injured Matt Duchene might be weeks from returning to Avs

January 31

Denver Post

"The news wasn't great concerning injured Avalanche forward Matt Duchene today. While the rest of the Avs resumed practice at Family Sports Center following the NHL all-star break, Duchene was not among them, and it appears more a matter of weeks — not days — until he returns again. "Right now, he's still out indefinitely," Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said following practice. "Hopefully, he'll be on the ice sometime in the near future, but it's still indefinite and we'll see from there.""

Back to the real NHL games

January 30

Ottawa Sun

columnist Chris Stevenson

"The days at the beach, as tweeted by Capitals defenceman Mike Green from the Cayman Islands, are over. The neon tans from Las Vegas will now start to fade. The NHL's feel-good weekend here — a resounding success which revolved around the emotional outpouring between Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Senators fans — now becomes a fond memory. Ahead is a 30-game sausage grinder that is the rest of the NHL season. "You need the break whether you're here or somewhere else doing something different. This is a part of the season the guys really look forward to, just to recharge the battery," said Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. "When you get back from this break, you're re-energized and you"

Chara's stars beat hometown hero Alfredsson

January 30

Ottawa Sun

"On his big day, Daniel Alfredsson surrounded himself with Swedes. But it was a bunch of Slovak buddies, led by New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik, who drove Team Chara to a 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson in front of 20,510 in the 57th NHL all-star game Sunday at Scotiabank Place. While former Senators defenceman Zdeno Chara scored the third-period winner, it was Gaborik, voted the game MVP, who led his club to victory with a hat trick and four-point effort as Team Chara walked away with the bragging rights. "You could see the guys wanted to win," said Chara when asked if he gave his team any instructions with the score tied 6-6 going into the third period. "I didn't have to say a"

Inconsistent young Avs need to get better to earn playoff spot

January 29

Denver Post

"It was precisely the way the Avalanche didn't want to go into the NHL's all-star break — with a whimper. All that was required to go into it with a relative bang was a victory over a team that had lost 11 straight games on the road and without its best all-around player. That the Avs lost a 3-2 to the reeling Minnesota Wild on home ice Tuesday night, in Game No. 51, means they go into the break like the kid whose report card shows a D in home economics and is just enough to keep him off the honor roll. Instead of a three-point lead in the race for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot, the Avs are now one point back of Minnesota — with the Wild having two games in hand —"

Gabriel Landeskog enjoying all-star life

January 28

Denver Post

"Like his NHL career, this weekend is a pleasant surprise for Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche rookie is the club's lone representative at All-Star Weekend at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. Landeskog, 19, will compete in today's all-stars skills competition, beginning at 5 p.m. "It's a tremendous honor just to be named to that group," Landeskog said this week. "I'm very excited to not only represent myself, but the organization and the team." Three years ago, before moving from Sweden to Canada to play for the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League, Landeskog was nothing more than a role player. His best skills were skating, heart and desire. Beyond that, he was average. "I was never"

Colorado needs Giguere for playoff run

January 27

Denver Post

columnist Adrian Dater

"As we approach the one-year anniversary since the Erik Johnson/Chris Stewart/Kevin Shattenkirk trade, do you think if given a mulligan, the Avs would still do it? I sure wouldn't. ---Jeff Gallo, Lafayette Great question. I asked that very question myself a couple a couple weeks ago. We'll never know what the Avs would really do. But it's a fascinating question. I think this: some days the Avs would definitely take a mulligan, and others they would not. The great unknown still in this whole thing is: what kind of player can Duncan Siemens be? The first-round pick the Avs got in that trade? If he turns out to be a very good D-man with the Avs, then the trade will look a whole lot better. We"

Who will win? Breaking down All-Star teams

January 27

NHL.com

"The draft is over, the rosters set for the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. We now know who will be wearing the white jerseys for Team Alfredsson and the blue jerseys to represent Team Chara. Now it's time to take a look at the rosters and break them down by position. Look for our prediction at the end. FORWARDS Datsyuk and Malkin on the same team is a scary proposition for the opposition. They may be the two most skilled players in the NHL right now. As Chara said, you can put them on the same line and they can be unstoppable, or you can put them on separate lines and they'll still be dominant and "make the line." Team Alfredsson has a lot of talent, but it doesn't have two"

Minnesota Wild defeats Colorado Avalanche 3-2

January 25

Denver Post

"On Dec. 26, the Avalanche snapped a nine-game road losing streak with a victory over the Wild in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday night, Minnesota ended a similarly embarrassing stretch in Denver, in a playoff atmosphere at the Pepsi Center. The Wild beat the somewhat flat Avs 3-2 in a key Northwest Division game that leapfrogged Minnesota over Colorado for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth heading into this weekend's NHL all-star break. The Wild had lost its previous 11 road games, two in shootouts."

Semyon Varlamov not pouting over being backup goalie with Colorado Avalanche

January 25

Denver Post

"If Semyon Varlamov were to say he's happy with his situation, Avalanche fans and team management would question his competitive fire. But Varlamov isn't about to start pouting because he has lost his status as the team's No. 1 goalie to Jean-Sebastien Giguere. "J.S. is playing well right now, and it's good for the team," Varlamov said. "I just have to keep working. I know it's going to be tough, but I just have to be ready — always." Varlamov hasn't played since allowing six goals in a lopsided loss at Phoenix last week. He lost his previous start before that, to Nashville. "That's why I'm not playing right now, I think," Varlamov said. "But it's a long season. We still have 30 games after"

Good sign: Mueller's ice time, shots increase

January 24

Denver Post

"Having played only nine games this season, including only six since October, Peter Mueller is not leading the Avalanche in any season statistics. But in terms of averages, Mueller is having a monster month. Mueller, one of the NHL's top feel-good stories of the season, is a shot waiting to happen. He has fired 25 shots in six games since returning Jan. 12 after battling postconcussion symptoms for nearly 18 months. He is the only Avs player to produce a shot in every game he has played, and he leads the team with an average of 3.33 shots per game. In Sunday's 3-2 loss at Anaheim, Mueller had a season-high six shots in 19:27 of ice time, most among Colorado forwards."

Giguere will start in net again for Avs on Tuesday

January 24

Denver Post

"Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said veteran goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere will make another start in Tuesday's game against the visiting Minnesota Wild and defenseman Ryan Wilson will return from a groin injury. Giguere, who began the season as the clear-cut backup to promising young goalie Semyon Varlamov, has started the past three games and five of the last six. "I'm approaching it one game at a time, and still trying to give the team a chance to win every night," Giguere said today from team headquarters. "I'm not worrying about the future, about what happened yesterday. I'm just worrying about tomorrow."

Avalanche late rally not enough in 3-2 loss at Anaheim

January 23

Denver Post

"With seven minutes, 20 seconds left in the third period Sunday night, the shot totals read: Avalanche 39, Anaheim Ducks 13. The scoreboard read: Ducks 3, Avs 0. As the final horn sounded at the Honda Center, the final score was 3-2 Ducks as the Avs suffered through one of those games when it seemed they deserved a better fate. The Avs saw their two-game win streak end against the Ducks, who that took advantage of a couple of mistakes and survived a late Colorado assault. The late charge only made the final result that much more frustrating for an Avs team that saw plenty of it."

Avs' Hejduk finds net but only in Anaheim

January 23

Denver Post

"While his team has been on an upswing, Avalanche captain Milan Hejduk continues to struggle scoring goals. In anyplace except Anaheim, that is. Hejduk has scored a goal in two of the last 24 games. Those games were Sunday night and on New Year's Eve — both at the Honda Center. Hejduk, skating at right wing on a line with Ryan O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog, is not quite on pace to score 20 goals. If he falls short, it would break a streak of 11 consecutive seasons he has done so. "We've been winning lately, so that's good, but it's frustrating. I need to score more goals," Hejduk said. "I've been so cold lately. It's a battle. I'm just trying to get chances and hoping some go in.""

Ducks hang on to beat Colorado, 3-2

January 23

Los Angeles Times

"Twenty points out. The Ducks' Teemu Selanne referred to it as avoiding "rock bottom." The team was 20 points from a playoff spot Jan. 6 and on the brink of turning into an NHL trading bazaar. A little more than two weeks later, 20 dwindled to 11. The Ducks' wild ride continued with a 3-2 victory over Colorado on Sunday at Honda Center with goalie Jonas Hiller making 43 saves. Their run stands at 8-0-1 since Jan. 6 and they are 11 points behind the eighth-place Avalanche in the Western Conference."

Staying pat Avs' best bet

January 22

Denver Post

columnist Adrian Dater

"The NHL trade deadline is about five weeks away, which is about the time the league's indefatigable rumor mill begins to really start spinning. Just about every player in the league will be traded by Feb. 27, according to some paper, blog, TV station, radio talk show or some guy at the end of the bar. For some reason, hockey rumors sell. Start a blog, put up a "We hear whispers (fill in blank player) is being eyed by (fill in blank team)" headline, and you've got guaranteed Internet traffic gold. And 99.9 percent of them don't come true, but the lure of a possible deal — no matter where it is mentioned — is still irresistible to a great many of hockey's fandom. Which leads to the topic of"

Gabriel Landeskog a master of disguise

January 22

Denver Post

"Gabriel Landeskog hops out of his Range Rover at a Qdoba after a recent Avalanche practice, wearing a sleek leather jacket and a look that says, "Yes, I was the No. 2 pick in last year's NHL draft. Yes, I play major minutes for the Avs, and yes, I'm only 19." For roughly a half hour, though, Landeskog sits undisturbed. A steady stream of lunchgoers stroll past his table, but the only autographs come from customers signing their names for debit-card burrito and quesadilla lunches. That's OK, though. Maybe someday there will be "Entourage" scenarios in his life, like that in his favorite TV show. Maybe some day down the road, anonymity will be a quaint memory from an innocent time. Until"

Depth on Avs' defense forces tough decisions

January 22

Denver Post

"The competition is friendly, but also fierce, for the top six defensive spots with the Avalanche right now. The Avs went into Saturday's contest against the Los Angeles Kings with eight healthy defensemen on the roster. Usually, teams play only six D-men in a game, which means one or two players must sit. Against the Kings, Matt Hunwick was already ruled out of playing. Seven defenders were slated to participate in the pregame warm-ups, and coach Joe Sacco was unsure whether he would use all seven or just go with six. Veteran Jan Hejda, who missed some time with a groin injury, said he was feeling ready to go again Saturday morning."

Avalanche gets 3-1 victory at Los Angeles

January 22

Denver Post

"The Avalanche just kept getting better and better Saturday night in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. After a slow offensive start, the Avs put three pucks past tough Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in the final two periods to get the victory. Peter Mueller, Cody McLeod and Gabriel Landeskog scored for Colorado, and goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere was excellent in goal. "I liked the way we played tonight," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. "The whole team worked hard, and I thought we had a good pace to our game. Jiggy was very solid in net, like he has been for us." The Avs play again tonight in Anaheim. The Avalanche had 10 of the game's first 13 shots, but most everything"

Avs defenseman Shane O'Brien collides with beauty

January 21

Denver Post

"From a hockey standpoint, the most beautiful person in the Avalanche organization isn't a woman. It is defenseman Shane O'Brien. "He's a definition of a beauty," Avs defenseman Kyle Quincey said of the mile-a-minute talker and jokester. Definitions may vary, but the common thread of a hockey beauty is a tough guy who "puts a smile on your face whenever you're around him," Avs forward TJ Galiardi said. O'Brien, 28, has what Ian Laperriere brought to the team from 2005-09 before the forward signed a free-agent deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. They are extraordinarily personable, two guys who love being at a rink and in a locker room, and talk about anything that's on their minds. On game"

With Giguere and O'Reilly, Colorado could surge

January 20

Denver Post

columnist Adrian Dater

"The young talent in Semyon Varlamov shows promise, but he still needs to learn the ropes. The experienced vet in Giguere calms everyone down and gets the job done. Or is it too late for Varlamov? Can he rebound? How long can Giguere keep going? ---George, Superior First off, George, switch to decaf. A little jumpy in your questioning. Patience, son, with goaltenders. Giguere was not very good the last two years, now he's good again. Varlamov has had some good games and some bad games with the Avs so far. Patience..."

Peter Mueller's big game lifts Colorado Avalanche over Florida Panthers

January 19

Denver Post

"After the crowd of media flitted to other parts of the Avalanche dressing room Wednesday night, Peter Mueller sat with his head down and his hands clasped. After a few seconds, Mueller took his left hand and did the sign of the cross against his chest. After 18 long, frustrating and at times scary months, Mueller scored a goal in an NHL game against the Florida Panthers at the Pepsi Center. Two of them, in fact. Plus an assist on the late, game-tying goal in Colorado's dramatic 4-3 overtime victory over the Panthers that put the Avs into eighth place in the Western Conference."

Avalanche waives young forward Brandon Yip

January 19

Denver Post

"After a strong, promising rookie season, Brandon Yip? found himself on NHL waivers Wednesday. It's part of a stunning fall from the heights that saw Yip playing a top-six forward role for the Avalanche in the 2009 playoffs against the San Jose Sharks?. If no team claims him by today, Yip will be assigned to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League. In 10 games for the Avalanche this season, Yip had zero points and 12 shots on goal. After posting 19 points (11 goals) as a rookie in the 2009-10 season, Yip fell to 12 goals and 22 points in 71 games last season, with a minus-22 rating."

Florida Panthers' road woes continue in Colorado

January 19

Miami Herald

"The Florida Panthers may still be in line for a postseason spot, although tough overtime losses like those from Wednesday night could derail their hopes. The Panthers lost for the 10th time in overtime this season – more than any team in the league – when Ryan O'Reilly's goal beat Jose Theodore and handed the host Avalanche a 4-3 win. Florida led 3-1 early in the third when Tomas Kopecky scored on the opening shot of the period."

Avalanche of late goals leads to horrid Panthers overtime loss

January 19

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Panthers mounting road woes have finally gotten to coach Kevin Dineen, who rarely makes excuses after losses. But following Wednesday's deflating 4-3 overtime loss to the slumping Colorado Avalance in the Pepsi Center, even Dineen made up some new reasons for his team blowing a two-goal lead that they earned 20 seconds into the third period. Despite having two odd-man rushes in the extra session, neither Stephen Weiss nor Kris Versteeg could get the puck past Avs goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere as the Panthers fall to a dismal 3-10 in overtime. Conversely, the Avs, who had lost four of five, are 11-2 in overtime after Ryan O'Reilly's shot dribbled through goalie Jose Theodore's legs for"

Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere experiencing a resurgence

January 18

Denver Post

"Jean-Sebastien Giguere? will be the starting goalie for the Avalanche tonight against the visiting Florida Panthers?. Technically, that's as far as it goes in significance for the Avs. But there is an unmistakable vibe right now that the veteran Giguere may be the main man in net down the stretch for the Avs. Not only is Giguere playing well, he is the one with the Stanley Cup ring, the goalie who has proved he can lead an underdog team into the playoffs. The Avs invested a lot in getting 23-year-old Semyon Varlamov to be their No. 1 goalie, but coach Joe Sacco's job is to win now, and it appears the top job is Giguere's to win or lose as the games get bigger."

Shane Doan just misses second hat trick, but Coyotes get back on track with rout of Avalanche

January 17

Arizona Republic

"They started that quest in a big way Monday. Shane Doan, who had his first NHL hat trick in his last home game 10 days ago, almost had another. Boyd Gordon, with 30 career goals entering the game, also scored twice, the first multigoal game of his NHL career, in the 6-1 rout of the Colorado Avalanche in front of 12,757 at Jobing.com Arena on Monday. Goaltender Mike Smith made 38 saves, coming up with three spectacular ones that changed the tenor of the game."

Avs blown out by Coyotes 6-1 as Shane Doan scores twice

January 17

Denver Post

"Good guy Shane Doan? put the Avalanche in a bad mood Monday afternoon. The respected Phoenix captain, who produced his first career hat trick in his previous game at Jobing.com Arena, was the big difference in the Coyotes' 6-1 victory over the road-weary Avs. Doan helped make life miserable for young goalie Semyon Varlamov, who allowed all six goals and declined comment after what might have been his worst performance in a Colorado sweater. "He needs to be better," Avs coach Joe Sacco said of Varlamov, whom the club acquired in a high-priced trade with the Washington Capitals last summer. "We could have been better in front of him ... but he needs to battle through some of that adversity."

Avalanche's Shane O'Brien close to returning from knee injury

January 17

Denver Post

"Avalanche defenseman Shane O'Brien, who has missed the past four games with a knee injury, rejoined the team Sunday and skated Monday morning with the healthy scratches before Colorado played the Coyotes. Apparently, the Avs didn't want to wait until today's practice for O'Brien to skate with some teammates. The Avs were scheduled to return to Denver immediately after Monday's game, practice today and host the Florida Panthers on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center. "He's very close," Avs coach Joe Sacco said of O'Brien. "He'll practice with us (today) and he should be available Wednesday.""

Scratches light a fire in Avalanche's David Jones

January 16

Denver Post

"Avalanche forward David Jones isn't quite at that stage where he borrows the line from actor Kevin Bacon? in the movie "Animal House?," when fraternity pledge Chip Diller screams during a painful process, "Thank you, sir, may I have another?" Jones, however, is somewhat thankful for the kick in the rear he absorbed from coach Joe Sacco in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss at Nashville. Jones was a healthy scratch in Music City, the first time this season he watched in street clothes while available."

Morrow gives Avs' Landeskog his due after hit

January 15

Denver Post

"During an intense final minute of regulation Saturday, Avalanche rookie Gabriel Landeskog? and Dallas captain Brenden Morrow? got into a major scrum. Morrow relentlessly went after the 19-year-old, forcing 6-foot-5, 235-pound Colorado defenseman Ryan O'Byrne to get involved. After O'Byrne and Morrow finished the game in the penalty boxes, Landeskog and Morrow talked about their mutual respect. "Maybe he wasn't too happy about that," Landeskog said of his big, blue-line check on Morrow in the second period. "It's part of the game, and it's the game I play. I want to play physical, and I'm not going to shy just because it's a very good player I'm hitting. It just makes it that much more fun."

Avs' Peter Mueller example of true grit on ice

January 15

Denver Post

columnist Adrian Dater

"Some NHL thoughts on a Sunday as the midway point of the season passes: B Peter Mueller has guts. In the back of his mind, the Avalanche winger has to be scared every minute he's on the ice. Is another concussion just a moment away? How he has been able to keep a good attitude and persevere through nearly two years' worth of a concussion injury is beyond me. I used to have a little bit of envy for pro athletes just like everyone else, but no more. Not to say they are to be pitied, but having your livelihood sit on a string as it is for these guys, to have it yanked back and forth so easily, is not for the weak. Sure, Mueller is making $2.5 million this year. He really is to be envied. But"

Avalanche get 2-1 road victory over Dallas

January 15

Denver Post

"Perhaps it didn't appear to require much. A little luck from the officials. A little nick of the puck at a key moment. A favorable bounce in the final minute. But add it up, and it spelled out the Avalanche's 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday. "You have to be desperate; you have to throw your body in front of shots and do whatever it takes," Avs goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere? said. "That's what we did." Giguere's two key kick saves, center Paul Stastny's multipoint game and some late 6-on-4 penalty killing paced Colorado as it leapfrogged past the Stars in the Western Conference standings. "We had some guys out there really digging in on the penalty kill, really battling," Avs"

Ryan O'Reilly looks like 2nd-round steal

January 14

Denver Post

"Some members of the Avalanche believe young center Ryan O'Reilly got snubbed for the upcoming NHL All-Star Game. Others just think it's the nature of the beast, because the league doesn't need defensive-minded players preventing what typically is a smorgasbord of offense during the midseason classic. But one thing is for certain: The youngest player in Quebec/Colorado franchise history to reach 200 career regular-season games is this team's MVP. "He's by far our best player this year," defenseman Kyle Quincey? said. "I think we got a gem in the second round." O'Reilly, who was selected 33rd overall in the 2009 draft, continues to blossom into the definition of a complete hockey player."

Avalanche loses 3-2 in overtime at Nashville

January 13

Denver Post

"Win or lose, Peter Mueller's return to the Avalanche lineup was going to be triumphant. The hard-luck young forward donned his No. 88 sweater for the first time in 42 games Thursday, after missing all of last season with a concussion and suffering continuing head problems after playing in the first three games in October. In a 3-2 overtime loss against the Nashville Predators?, Mueller played on the Paul Stastny-centered line, with TJ Galiardi, and nearly scored late in the second period on a tap-in bid from the goalmouth off a Galiardi centering pass."

O'Reilly is OK with all-star omission

January 13

Denver Post

"Young center Ryan O'Reilly was the Avalanche's top NHL all-star candidate, but unless he gets added because of an injury, no Colorado player will participate in the game Jan. 29 in Ottawa. Gabriel Landeskog?, who plays left wing on O'Reilly's line, will be among 12 rookies to participate in the Jan. 28 skills competition. The league announced its remaining 36 all-stars Thursday after fan voting produced the first six last week. The host Ottawa Senators? will have a league-high five players participating in the weekend festivities, and the Vancouver Canucks? have four."

NHL names remainder of All-Star Game roster

January 12

NHL.com

"The Vancouver Canucks, who started the day with the best record in the Western Conference, also lead in another category -- most players added to the All-Star Game. Four members of the Canucks were among the 36 veterans and 12 rookies announced by the NHL for the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game, to be played Jan. 29 in Ottawa. Players from all 30 teams will be represented at the game, with four members of the Canucks added to the pool of players Thursday -- forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin, defenseman Alexander Edler and forward Cody Hodgson, who was one of the dozen rookies selected to play in the game and the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition, to be held Jan. 28."

Avs' Peter Mueller activated to roster after concussion symptoms subside

January 12

Denver Post

"Avalanche forward Peter Mueller was activated from injured reserve and could play tonight against the Nashville Predators?. Mueller has played only 18 games in three seasons with the Avalanche because of two concussions and continuing head problems. Recently, he has been practicing with the team regularly after sitting out for a period last month. He played only in the first three games this season."

Avalanche loses 4-1 at home to Nashville

January 11

Denver Post

"Think of it as a two-game, home-and-home series with playoff implications between teams nearly joined at the hip in the NHL's Western Conference standings. It wasn't quite a playoff atmosphere Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center, but the Avalanche will undoubtedly treat Thursday's series sequel as a postseason affair. Game 1 on Tuesday went to the Nashville Predators 4-1 because the Avs couldn't overcome a rough first period despite playing inspired hockey during the final 40 minutes. Thus, the Predators will enjoy home-ice advantage in the Music City rematch."

Nashville Predators beat Colorado Avalanche? That sure sounds familiar

January 11

Denver Post

"The Nashville Predators? and Calgary Flames? have the Avalanche's numbers. Big, nasty numbers if you're a Colorado fan. Like the Flames, who have won nine consecutive games against the Avs, including four this season, the Predators have dominated their series with Colorado. Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Avs was Nashville's sixth straight and eighth in the past nine games. The second of four games between the teams this season is Thursday at Nashville. "They are a very disciplined team when they have the lead," Avs captain Milan Hejduk? said of the Preds, who built a 3-0 lead. "That was definitely the case tonight.""

Colorado Avalanche's Shane O'Brien to miss tonight's game vs. Nashville Predators

January 10

Tennessean

"The Predators won't have a chance to say hello to former teammate Shane O'Brien during today's game at Colorado. That's because the Avalanche defenseman will miss the contest with a knee injury, according to the Denver Post. Although O'Brien's offseason departure wasn't quite as ceremonial as playoff hero Joel Ward's or former Masterton Trophy winner Steve Sullivan's last summer, the Predators miss the hulking defenseman."