Why is the Avalanche so bad at shootouts?
That question won’t die among Avs fans, who have seen their team lose five of seven shootouts this season, including five of six at the Pepsi Center.
While NHL shooters as a whole are scoring 33.7 percent of the time in shootouts (191-for-567), the Avalanche is scoring only 21 percent of the time (5-for-24). Opponents, meanwhile, are scoring 40 percent of the time (10-for-25) against Colorado goalies.
Avalanche coach Joel Quenne- ville doesn’t have a good answer to the question that is exasperating the team’s fans.
“It’s frustrating in the shootout, the record in those situations,” Quenneville said. “We’ve got to have somebody put the puck in the net.”
Saturday displayed the latest act of futility. Three more Avs shooters struck out against Vancouver Canucks goalie Alex Auld. One of them was captain Joe Sakic, who is 0-for-5 in shootout attempts. This is the same Sakic who never has missed a penalty shot in regulation or playoffs in his 17-year career.
Sakic hit the post with his shot, something that has happened with regularity.
“I think he’s hit four posts in shootouts,” Quenneville said. “Joe hit the post dead on. You can’t ask for a better shot.”
Milan Hejduk, the NHL’s leading goal-scorer in 2002-03 with 50, also is 0-for-5 in shootouts. His attempt against Auld did not go well, a fairly weak shot with little chance of succeeding.
Hejduk was not happy with the shot or his recent play. He has failed to score in 11 of the past 12 games, while Sakic hasn’t scored in 12 of his past 13.
“I just have to keep working at it,” Hejduk said. “Right now, it’s frustrating for me.”
One player Quenneville might consider moving into his top three in the shootout is Finnish winger Antti Laaksonen. Not only is Laaksonen 1-for-1, he has scored several breakaway goals.
Footnotes
The Avs did not practice Sunday. They resume practice today in preparation for Tuesday’s home game against Minnesota. … A fan was ejected from Saturday’s game for throwing a Rob Blake bobblehead doll at Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
