clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Weekend Brunch: Colorado Avalanche having strong start to season despite loss to Dallas

The Leafs end “the Streak”, the Oilers fall on their face, and Beauchemin back in Anaheim

By HardevLad
Boston Bruins v Colorado Avalanche
Nail Yakupov #64 of the Colorado Avalanche is congratulated by Sven Andrighetto #10 and Nathan MacKinnon #29 after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The Colorado Avalanche drop the second game in as many nights to the Boston Bruins by a score of 3-1. “Semyon Varlamov started this game after Jonathan Bernier posted a win against the Anaheim Ducks. Not a whole lot to be happy about after tonight’s loss, though. Matt Duchene scored again (good) and the PK continues to shine (also good).” [MHH]

Playing with the freedom of knowing you have nothing to lose must be a great feeling that has helped the Avalanche come out to a 4-2-0 record. “Sven Andrighetto (5 percent owned in fantasy) has a three-game point streak and leads Colorado through five games with six points. He's skating on the top line opposite another low-ownership player Mikko Rantanen (17 percent).

“Nail Yakupov (16 percent) has five points and Alexander Kerfoot (less than 1 percent owned) has two points skating on the second line with Matt Duchene. All are very solid value targets, especially in DFS formats.” [NHL dot com]

How did each player do in last nights loss to Dallas? BSN Denver has the report cards ready. “Duchene continued to play hard and show up on the score sheet as he tallied Colorado’s only goal of the night with a nasty snipe about 90 seconds into the third period.” [BSN Denver]

The Toronto Maple Leafs stopped a 14 game losing streak (0-9-5) against the Montreal Canadiens last night with a 4-3 OT win. Auston Matthews had two goals, including the OT winner. [Sportsnet]

The Ottawa Senators curb-stomped the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 6-1 last night. Cam Tablot got pulled after four goals and has been pulled twice in the last four games. The Oilers are 1-3-0 so the question must be asked:

“Are the Edmonton Oilers just McDavid and a bunch of average Joes? Has general manager Peter Chiarelli’s gamble proven bad, when he went through the summer without signing a top-four NHL defenceman?” [Sportsnet]

Francois Beauchemin is back with the Anaheim Ducks for the third time this season and it appears going back to a place where he spent nine seasons in has helped him settle into a role he can thrive in in the NHL.

“Anyone who knows Beauchemin knows the guy doesn’t own an ego. He realizes he is no longer a top-pairing defenseman, or even a top-four on a good team. But he’s perhaps an ideal third-pairing guy because of his leadership and character.” [Denver Post]

Are the Dallas Stars the Washington Capitals of the West? Hmmm..