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Avs fall on their face, end their season |
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After five days off, the Colorado Avalanche get to prepare for six months without a meaningful game.
Playing the 27- now 28- win Columbus Blue Jackets, the Avs played a sloppy, turnover-filled hockey game in a 5-2 loss.
Cam Atkinson scored his first career hat trick and Rick Nash, probably playing his second-to-last game in a Jackets' uniform, scored twice. Steve Mason turned aside 35 shots in the win.
From Jay McClement turning over the puck leading to Atkinson's first goal to Shane O'Brien passing the puck to the Jackets while staring at his defensive partner wide-open in the slot, the Avs literally handed the game to Columbus.
Columbus kept the Avs to the outside and eliminated second-chance shots which the Avs were fine with because all season, their play has been focused on perimeter shots with little to no net presence. Exactly how you have to beat a hot goalie.
Erik Johnson tried his darnedest to will his team to win but it just wouldn't change the outcome. He had five shots, 10 put toward the net in 21 minutes of ice time. He played perfect defense and was always trying to push the play up the ice for a scoring chance. Only a handful of players followed.
Ryan O'Reilly, whose been slumping toward the end played one of his worst games of the season. On the stat sheet, he had six shots, 12 toward the net but he just wasn't a factor. The puck wasn't on his stick for that key moment. Since his three assist night Feb. 25 in Detroit, O'Reilly has mustered three goals, three assists in 18 games with a minus-2 rating.
Those are the numbers that O'Reilly puts up in his dry spells, laying credence to the argument of those who think he is not a second line center for the Avs. Going forward, he is probably a 40-50 point player on the third line, maybe 60 in a good year.
O'Reilly wasn't the only player that played badly. Jan Hejda, Ryan O'Byrne, Shane O'Brien all turned in sub-par games for the Avs.
Overall, it has been a good season, fighting for the playoffs until almost the last game of the season but the inconsistent nature of the Avs was ultimately their undoing, something the Avs will have to address as a team going forward.
Three Stars
1. Cam Atkinson- first career hat trick. Watch out for him next year
2. Rick Nash- two goals. Watch out for him at the draft
3. Steve Mason- 35 saves. Can he return to calder trophy form next year?
Facepalm of the Game
Shane O'Brien cheating, turning the puck over, leading to a 4-on-1 with no defenseman back which lead to Paul Stastny's hooking call which was the first stone that led to the Nash powerplay goal that was the game winner.
One play that defined a game. O'Brien can't cheat there and turn the puck over.
Bang Bang Play of the Game
The last goal might have been a hat trick but Atkinson's night wins. He was the most outstanding player on the ice.
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • 
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