It is definitely a bad night for the home team when the “Pick the Pump” guessing game on the JumboTron during a play stoppage draws the biggest crowd reaction of the night.
But the sparse crowd that gathered at the Pepsi Center on Thursday night can’t be blamed. The home-town Avalanche gave the fans almost nothing to get excited about in its dismal 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
An Avs team that entered the night with 20 percent of its lineup made up of players who were at Lake Erie of the AHL a week ago gave a small-time effort in this one. There have been some duds this season for the Avs, but this would be a serious contender for worst of the worst honors.
The Avs remained last in the Western Conference with the loss and lost another regular to a head injury. Rookie winger Chris Stewart was hurt in the second period.
No team in the West has allowed more than the 229 goals the Avs have, and some of the reasons were in full view. Colorado was soft in front of its net and surrendered the blue line at will, and goalie Peter Budaj battled the puck all night — and lost.
The only positive scoreboard moment came early in the game, when Cody McLeod scored his 14th goal of the season.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
