I can’t believe the timing. Here I am, typing up an article about how rookie Matt Duchene needs to start pulling his weight. Don’t get me wrong, Duchene is a phenomenal player. To be playing in the best league in the world at 18 is absolutely incredible. But in order for us to have any sort of long-term success this season, we need to see more. We can’t look at Duchene as an 18-year-old, but as the 2nd line center on a first place team. See, I had it all planned out.

Matt Duchene is trying to get me to shut up already.

After just the 1st period tonight against Edmonton, Duchene has already assisted on both of Milan Hejduk’s goals in this 2-1 battle. The 1st was a standard secondary assist, but the second was a primary, and it was a beauty. After Hejduk, Duchene, and Chris Durno kept the Edmonton defenders reeling while they cycled the puck in the offensive zone, Duchene brought the puck behind the net, bringing two defenders with him. He delivers a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Hejduk. Never give Hejduk space in the slot, because he’ll make you pay – and he did just that, blasting a shot past Edmonton goalie Deslauriers.

This could be the break-out game we’ve been waiting for from Duchene. But for God sakes, Duchene, SCORE A GOAL!

EDIT: Peter Budaj is still terrible. Avs lose 5-4. Say what you want about the effort of our skaters, nothing takes the wind out of the players’ sails quicker than shoddy goaltending. You should never lose a game when you can score 4 goals. Especially in regulation.

Chalking this loss up to Budaj, missed opportunities on 5-3s, and outstanding play from Deslauriers.

Let’s see if we can bounce back against the team that spanked us 8-2 earlier this week. Craig Anderson will certainly be starting.