Three of the four games have gone to overtime, and the one that didn’t was decided in the final minute of regulation. Just think, there are still a possible 24 games left to go in the playoffs, Avalanche fans.
Tuesday night saw the Avs and San Jose Sharks again put in for OT in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. The Sharks won this time, 2-1 on Joe Pavelski’s wrist shot from between the faceoff circles at 10:24 of the extra session.
Game 5 moves back to San Jose’s HP Pavilion on Thursday night, with the series tied 2-2.
After being partially a goat in Game 3, San Jose’s Dan Boyle was a hero this time. Not only did he score San Jose’s only regulation goal, he dove and stopped a puck that might have been going in after a rush up the ice by the Avs’ Paul Stastny and Chris Stewart.
It didn’t take long for Boyle to throw his goat horns away from Game 3. At the 1:12 mark of the first period, Boyle atoned for his possible own goal that ended the previous game with a power-play goal. Boyle beat Craig Anderson with a slap shot from the point, and Anderson might have been screened.
The Avs didn’t have a shot through the first eight minutes, and the game was starting to look just like the final two, lopsided periods of Game 3. But Colorado played a respectable last half of the period, and probably considered itself fortunate to be in just a 1-0 game entering the second.
The Avs came out and, while allowing 15 more Sharks shots, they finally got their offense going some — helped along by their first two power plays of the night. The Avs cashed in on one of them, just four seconds after Rob Blake was sent to the box for interference.
Paul Stastny got the goal at 3:27, tipping in John-Michael Liles’ drive from the point. Stastny won the faceoff clean back to Liles, setting up the sequence.
The Avs got another power play at 4:31, but failed to take advantage.
After the quick score by the Sharks, Craig Anderson was back to his imposing self, stopping the next 23 shots he saw entering the third of a 1-1 game.
The Avs didn’t get a lot in the way of dangerous offense in the third, until with about two minutes left when Brandon Yip nearly stuffed one in the net. Regulation ended with the Sharks having a 34-28 edge in shots, a far better result than Game 3.
The Sharks got the first three shots of overtime, but not long after that the Avs put two dangerous shots on Nabokov, including one by Ryan O’Reilly that nearly snuck in under Nabokov’s left armpit.
Stastny and Stewart looked like they would end it near the midway mark of the third, with a bang-bang sequence nearly resulting in the puck sliding in past a sprawling Nabokov. But Boyle’s dive and stop kept it out, and it wasn’t long after that Pavelski won it after taking a drop pass, skating in a few feet between Avs defenders Adam Foote and Kyle Cumiskey, and depositing the shot just under the right crossbar.
Live updates
The Denver Post had ive updates of Game 4 throughout the night. Check back for more:
Winner
The Sharks got an even-strength goal from Joe Pavelski midway through the overtime period to win Game 4 and even the series at 2-2. San Jose survived a close-fought game on both sides of the ice.
Doug Murray and Ryan Clowe earned assists on the game-winner.
Save streak
Avs goalie Craig Anderson, with 9:59 left in overtime, has made 43 straight saves.
More time
There were good chances in the third period — for both teams — but Colorado’s Craig Anderson and San Jose’s Evgeni Nabakov came up big to keep the score knotted at 1-1. The series will now go to its third consecutive overtime. Only Game 1 — a 2-1 Avs’ win — was decided in regulation.
Andy dandy
Anderson starting to stand on his head. Sharks getting good chances late, leading in shots 9-5 with 5:20 to play in the third. Game still tied 1-1.
Defense controlling
The Avs’ defense has tightened the screws in the third period. The Sharks are lacking for solid chances on Craig Anderson. Since allowing the early-game goal, on San Jose’s first shot, Anderson has made 25 consecutive saves.
Decider coming soon
Game 4 — like each of the first three game of this series — will be decided in the third period. Or, after the third period. After Paul Stastny’s tip-in goal in the second period, the Avs and Sharks go to the final 20 minutes of regulation tied 1-1.
The Sharks re-applied pressure late in the second period and finished the frame with a 15-14 shots edge. They lead the game in that department 24-20 — still a much more managable number for Avs goalie Craig Anderson than in previous games of this series.
Back in gear
This second period in Game 4 might be the Avs’ best in the series. Or one of them. Colorado is out-shooting the Sharks 8-4 halfway through the set. After trailing in shots 7-1 at one point, the Avs now lead 14-13.
Avs on the board
Speaking of power plays, San Jose’s Rob Blake went to the box for interference at 3:23 of the second. And the Avs used the chance to score. Paul Stastny’s power-play goal four seconds later, on a tip-in from an assist by John-Michael Liles, tied the game at 1-1. And all of a sudden, the Avs are back in business.
Power play advantage
The Sharks, who have one of the better power-play units in the NHL, certainly have had man-advantage advantages in the series. Through the first period tonight, San Jose had 17 power-play chances in the series. The Avs had just six.
First in the books
Sah Jose dominated the first period — nothing new in this series, except the Sharks actually converted. They took a 1-0 lead to the lockerroom after 20 minutes. But the Avs perked up after a sluggish start. San Jose leads in shots 9-6 after having a 7-1 advantage in offense at one point.
Another shot drought
The Avs started the game without a shot through the first 7:38. The Sharks led in shots 7-1 at one point. Of their first four shots, two Avs got two from defensemen — Adam Foote and John-Michael Liles.
Quick dip
Off the opening face-off, the Avs’ Paul Stastny was called for high-sticking — just :35 seconds in. And the Sharks took advantage. Dan Boyle of all people — the same Dan Boyle who scored on his own net to give the Avs a Game 3 win — scored to put the Sharks ahead 1-0 at 1:12 of the first period.
Injury updates
Veteran winger and assistant captain Milan Hejduk will not play for the Avs tonight after he suffered a likely head injury on Sunday. He collided with teammate Paul Stastny in Game 3.
In his place, Avs coach Joe Sacco will play Marek Svatos.
For San Jose, Dany Heatley skated during practice this morning and was re-inserted into the Sharks lineup.
