Well, that didn't go so well. Despite superb performances by Paul Stastny and newly-minted scoring ace David Jones, the Colorado Avalanche couldn't hold back the goal-scoring onslaught of the Chicago Blackhawks, who won the game 7-4.
The Avs fell behind early, giving up two goals in the first period. Going into the second period down 2-1, it took Stastny just 38 seconds to score on a power play and tie up the game. Two minutes later, Jones would score his second goal of the night and move the Avs into the lead, but that advantage was short-lived. The 'Hawks would score five more goals on the night, and only Stastny would help stem the tide in the third period with another power play tally.
Son of Stastny finished with two goals and an assist, Jones with two goals. Marek Svatos and Wojtek Wolski both got on the board, each earning an assist. Brett Clark, John-Michael Liles and Darcy Tucker also had helpers.
I'm not going to harp on this, because it's something we already knew, but Andrew Raycroft is not going to be giving Peter Budaj any challenge whatsoever for the starting role. Raycroft gave up six goals on 23 shots, including a horrendous second period in which he faced just six shots but allowed two goals and the Blackhawks to reclaim the lead for good. For what it's worth, Cristobal Huet wasn't much better for the Indian, stopping only sixteen of twenty shots at his end.
Worth noting were the absences of Ryan Smyth, Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk and Adam Foote. They all sat out. All the forwards fighting for a roster spot, with the exception of Tyler Arnason, were in the game. At this point it's looking pretty good for David Jones, obviously, but nobody among Brian Willsie, TJ Hensick, Per Ledin, Chris Stewart* or Cody McCormick had a particularly good showing. McCormick got into a fight in the first period and a shoving match in the third, so there's that.
The Avs get a rematch against the 'Hawks on Sunday.
*Chris Stewart is off to Lake Erie, as of today.