Quick Hits: Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets

Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Final Score: Jets – 5 Avalanche – 4 (OT)

*Not a great debut for Reto Berra. He was very antsy in the first two periods, overplaying his angles and sliding too much to find the puck. Andrew Ladd’s 1st period goal was great, but Berra’s angle was terrible. He settled down in the third and made some big saves, especially a point blank chance on Andrew Ladd but in overtime he was completely lost on Blake Wheeler’s game winning goal.

*Of course, everyone wearing white was lost on Blake Wheeler’s game winning goal as he danced around the slot as bodies fell in front of him. Just abysmal coverage.

*This is one game for Berra so I won’t be too down on him. It was his first game since March 3rd and he was playing behind a new team. The communication between goalie and defenseman definitely seemed to be lacking, which will hopefully improve with time and practice.

*Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly, and Jame McGinn were great again. They got the scoring started just 20 seconds into the game and worked hard on every shift. Duchene now has points in 12 of his last 13 games and tied his career high in points with 67.

*With Paul Stastny and John Mitchell out, Nathan MacKinnon played center. That wasn’t a big surprise. Tyson Barrie playing right wing with Gabriel Landeskog on the left was the big surprise.

*Barrie did well as a forward though. He didn’t try to do too much to prove himself, he just played like he was a defenseman always jumping up into the play. I can’t say I would’ve made the same call, playing Barrie on the 2nd line right wing, but it didn’t hurt the Avs so I have to give Patrick Roy credit for the gamble.

*Max Talbot and Cody McLeod had great games. They are the heart and soul of team because they do so much of the brunt work that doesn’t show up on the scoresheets and tonight they were rewarded. Talbot had two assists, both the direct result of hard work along the boards and McLeod had a beautiful goal where he lifted the stick of Evander Kane to steal the puck, broke in 2-on-1 with Matt Duchene, and then fired a perfect shot by Al Montoya.

*Patrick Bordeleau finally got his hands on someone. He’s been wanting to fight or a while now, but hasn’t been able to due to some lingering injuries, but in the 2nd period Anthony Peluso obliged and dropped the gloves. Bordeleau definitely looked rusty though.

*Marc-Andre Cliche won two big faceoffs to end the game and salvage a point, but otherwise he wasn’t good. I like the way Cliche plays, but it’s clear why he’s on the fourth line when everyone is healthy.

*Despite limited playing time in three games, I like what I see from Paul Carey and wish he’d get a chance to show a little more. He’s quick and hungry on the puck and seems to play a smart game.

*Nick Holden has been the unsung hero of the defense. He scored a beautiful goal in the 2nd period to tie things up before the horn and continues to play strong in his own end.

*The Penalty Kill once again, let the team down. The Jets got absolutely nothing going for the first minute of the kill, but the moment they were able to set up, Andrew Ladd found some open space and fired the puck past Berra. Something has to change with the PK because it’s going to cost the team once the playoffs start.

*Dustin Byfuglien didn’t play for the Jets, but Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd had outstanding games. In the five meetings between the two teams, Wheeler had 10 points, including two overtime winners.

*Erik Johnson has been doing his best to make things happen offensively, but he hasn’t been great in his own end lately. He’s -6 in his last 6 games. After a great start to the season, he and Jan Hejda just don’t seem to be on the same page as much.

*The Avs have scored the first goal in the past four games but are just 1-2-1 in those games.

*The Chicago Blackhawks shutout the St. Louis Blues, giving them sole possession of 2nd place in the Central with the Avalanche loss. They did lose Patrick Kane in the game though, and he’s expected to be out for 2-3 weeks.

Next Up: at Boston on Friday