With J.S. Giguere in net, only 3 of 29 Minnesota shots broke through the wall. Giguere's .897 save percentage wasn't the only thing that guaranteed Colorado the win, it was a team effort. Every player on the ice was making an effort to clear the pucks; Matt Duchene even took at hit from one.
Aside from those factors lets break down the game, and take a look at why the Avalanche seemed to finally click in Minnesota:
With a scoreless first period, the team looked to put up some points coming into the second period.
Aaron Palushaj did just that, as he scored his first Avalanche goal early on in the second period. The teams' mojo was back on track, and the puck handling and passing clearly reflected it. This aggressive playing allowed Milan Hejduk to score his 800th carreer point, and on his birthday nonetheless.
Minnesota quickly brought Colorado's adrenaline down, however, with an illegal goal by Mike Rupp, late in the second. With the puck clearly in Giguere's glove, Rupp pushed the puck out with his stick and shoved it in the net. The referees neglected to blow the whistle, even though the puck was clearly stopped and in Giguere's glove. Even with this bad call, the referees wouldn't stop the Avalanche from getting the "W."
This Avalanche looking to tie it up in the third, set it up for Matt Duchene. Duchene scored with 8:18 left in the game, and the game remained tied at the end of regulation. The Avalanche then took it into OT for the first time this season. Holding off the Wild, they took it to a shoot out. Giguere continued to impress blocking both of the Wild's shot attempts, while both Melan Hejduk and Matt Duchene sealed the deal with two successful shoot out goals.
For the first time this season, I can say the Avalanche looked good. They kept up with the Wild, and played strong the whole game. Hopefully the identity found during Thursday night's game will continue as the Avalanche take on the Oilers in Edmonton, Saturday night.
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