Perhaps the biggest crime of the NHLPA nixing the planned realignment is the loss of games between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings.

On both sides, the teams are fast, have good goaltending- or at least have had it in the matchups this season- with big defenses around them and enough scoring to make it interesting.

Once again Jean-Sebastien Giguere was nearly perfect in net, stopping 26 shots, 13 of them coming in the thirdperiod where the Kings pushed desperately to tie the game.

Peter Mueller scored again and was a dominant offensive force for the second game in a row. His shot and speed combination is giving teams something to cover and is opening up room for Stastny (2 goals, 6 points last five games) to make plays.

The more room Stastny has, the better he plays and on a line with the struggling Jones and the grinder Kevin Porter, he will not have any room. With Mueller pulling defenses and T.J. Galiardi pushing them back, Stastny has all the time in the world to make a play.

Kyle Quincey and Stefan Elliott were players that needed to step up after a few rough games a week ago. Tonight they were a combined +4 with three points and three shots. Not much better the defense could do.

With the win the Avs improved to 12-4-1 in their last 17 games and that is with the week without Shane O'Brien where they went 1-3-1. Those are the numbers that will put you in the playoffs.

Three Stars

1. Jean-Sebastien Giguere- stepping up to lead the Avs.
2. Paul Stastny- two assists as he is waking up
3. Jonathan Quick- made 28 saves

Facepalm of the Game
Willie Mitchell shifting off and leaving McLeod open for the breakaway wins. Avs got momentum from the goal and he should not have shifted off there.

Bang bang play of the Game

Peter Mueller. Tipping it in. Game winning goal. Beautiful.



Runner up: Stefan Elliott passing to McLeod who beat Quick like he was Hasek.