panoo

Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Brett McLean scored the lone goal of the shootout to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at General Motors Place.

In the shootout, McLean was Colorado's first shooter and he skated in on goal and quickly ripped a snap shot past Roberto Luongo low on his glove side. After the Canucks and the Avs did not score on their respective chances that followed, Jose Theodore made a pad stop on Daniel Sedin to give Colorado the much-needed extra point.

McLean and Joe Sakic each tallied two goals in regulation for the Avalanche, who are now five points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Peter Budaj started between the pipes for Colorado and allowed three goals on 13 shots before being replaced by Theodore late in the first period. Theodore finished with six saves.

Taylor Pyatt scored two goals while Sedin notched a goal and two assists for the Canucks, who had their four-game win streak end. By still picking up a point, Vancouver jumped in front of Minnesota in the Northwest Division. Both teams have 45 wins and 97 points but Vancouver has one less loss in regulation.

Daniel's twin brother Henrik added three helpers and in doing so set a new franchise record for most assists in a season with 63. The previous mark was held by Andre Boudrias, who had 62 during the 1974-75 campaign.

Luongo made 26 saves in the loss.

The Canucks struck first and grabbed a 1-0 at 9:19 of the opening period. Daniel Sedin raced into the Colorado zone up the left wing and centered a pass in front to a streaking Pyatt, who guided the disc past Budaj with a backhander.

FULL STORY

cdoty

In the first period it almost sounded as if the Avs were returning to their normal season play, especially after the OT loss to Edmonton. But, they tightened up the defense in the second and third periods.

Theodore looked good in goal, after Budaj was pulled in the first period. His play in the shootout was exceptional.

Only 2 OT losses, and no regulation losses, in 12 games is a record many teams would love to have; but many fans were probably sweating a bit when the game went into overtime last night. A six point deficit at this point in the season could've easily been the end of the playoff hopes of the Avs.

Being 5 points back, the Avs now have to depend on another team to help them get into the playoffs. The red hot Wild could be that team. The Flames play back to back games with the Wild. The Avs have a bit of a hill to climb, as they have two more games against the Canucks and one against the Wild. In addition, they have one game left against recently slumping Nashville. Slumping doesn't mean down and out; and they could easily return with a vengence against the Avs.

nossagog

it's too bad they fell so far behind in the playoff race. A few weeks ago they were virtually written off and now they're one of the hotest teams on the ice.

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Penguins Fan living in Sabreland

cdoty

Yep. It seemed like a struggle for them to win two or more games in a row. Looking at the GF/GA numbers, it appears the biggest problem was goaltending. Their goalies weren't able to keep them in the games. Budaj was finally given the chance to step up, and he's done a good job. He's still giving up a few too many goals in some of the games; but the offense has really come to life.

If they make it into the playoffs, they should be a strong team. The first series will tell a lot about their desire to go all the way. They could be the Edmonton of this year's playoffs. Ironically, they may have to knock out Detroit, in the first round, to survive. Over the last three seasons, this has been one thing shared by each Western conference team making it to the Stanley Cup finals.

panoo

With all the work of getting into the playoffs, do you think they will have it in them sustain a gruelling first round, let alone a 2nd or 3rd?

I don't think Theodore will do it for them, and I suppose Budaj could get hot, but I'm not sure they will go very far, if they make it in?

cdoty

I would guess that these last 12 games have been easier than the rest of the games during the season. Granted, they are under pressure, but it has to feel good to see things working as they should. (There's life in them there Avs!)

I'm not sure that they're playing any harder, just better. The offense has come alive, and the defense is doing a good job. This was obvious in the second and third periods last night. They seem to have used normal line rotations, and haven't had to come from behind in a lot of the games.

Budaj could be feeling a bit tired, after the number of starts he's had. He's young though, and is probably enjoying the opportunity to prove himself. But, I don't see Theodore getting a start for the rest of the season or in the playoffs, unless the Avs can clinch a spot before the end of the season. The Avs have the skills to control a game, which helps with the goalie issue a bit.