No Fooling! Avalanche Get Budaj Win #100

Okay, so let me see if I have this straight. The Avalanche blow a 2-0 lead and get outshot 16-1 in the 3rd period. Peter Budaj is in net for his 7th try at win #100 and faces 38 shots. Due to an injury to Cameron Gaunce, David Koci plays defense. The Coyotes get 6 power plays. Matt Duchene, Milan Hejduk, David Jones, Paul Stastny and Ryan Stoa combine for a grand total of 5 shots - or, as many as Lee Stempniak had for the Coyotes.

And the Avalanche win?

Really?

Budaj was rock solid, especially in the shootout where he's been nearly unstoppable all year (I believe the Avs have just 3 successful attempts in their last 3 shootout wins). Jay McClement scored his first goal with the Avs. Ryan O'Reilly scored his 7th goal in the last 13 games...on the Avs sole shot in the 3rd period to tie things up. And David Koci was very proficient in his own end, logging an Avalanche high of 7:30 of ice time. His natural position IS defense, which begs the obvious question: "hey, why hasn't David Koci been used on defense?"

Great to see Budaj get win number 100 for the Avalanche. Also great to see the Coyotes broadcast team pick all Coyotes as their stars of the night. Absolutely no reason to see Budaj (35 saves), McClement (2 points, +3) or O'Reilly (2 points, +2) make that list. Fools indeed.