Another home game, another one-goal loss, another tortured self-examination of how it went wrong for the Avalanche.
Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Edmonton – the Avs’ third at home to the Oilers this season, all by one goal – dropped Colorado’s record in such games this season to 11-15. Last season, the Avs weren’t stellar in one-goal games either (19-20), but the biggest difference this season is the Avs have been mediocre at home. After Saturday, the Avs have a home record of 14-12-3, following an outstanding home mark of 25-10-6 in 2005-06.
“I don’t know what to say,” Avs winger Andrew Brunette said. “It hasn’t happened all year at home for us. We’ve played better at home of late, but we just need more. I wish I could explain it. I’m struggling to put my finger on it.”
Theodore next?
Jose Theodore could get the next start, Tuesday against Florida, in net for the Avs. Starter Peter Budaj allowed a shot to beat him to the short side for Edmonton’s first goal, by Ales Hemsky, and has been beaten by third-period or overtime goals at home in three of his past four games.
Avs coach Joel Quenneville said he hasn’t decided on a starter for Tuesday.
Rycroft fights
Mark Rycroft became the second Avs player, besides Ian Laperriere, to get a five-minute major fighting penalty this season.
Rycroft fought Edmonton’s Ladislav Smid in the first period. Laperriere has 13 fighting majors this season.
Footnotes
Former Avs winger Steve Konowalchuk is working in the team’s player development department and expects to stay on next season. Konowalchuk said he probably will start traveling next season, especially to the team’s new minor-league affiliate in Cleveland, to monitor prospects. … Brad Richardson broke a 22-game scoring drought with a first-period goal for the Avs. … Joe Sakic’s third-period goal gave him 596 in his career. Only 16 players in NHL history have 600 or more.
