A look back at Game 1 beyond the Box Score

Colorado 1st goal
Who to blame?
Gaborik….he was somewhat lazy in his approach back-checking on Sakic forcing Kim Johnsson to come over and help. Which would be fine if Gaborik would have switched off and taken Sauer who crept down the slot. Instead Gaborik was a complete spectator having the best view of Sauer's goal.


Colorado 2nd goal
This goal came on the Colorado power play and was a very nice tip in front by Smith. There wasn't enough pressure on the point, but it was a quality goal for the Avs.

MN goal 1
Anytime you can score a goal on a 2-on-3, you've stole one. Koivu did an excellent job on the right side keeping the defender off the puck and had great timing when he decided to throw it to the crease area for a streaking Rolston. Rolston didn't get the goal but he was the reason it happened. If he doesn't drive hard to the net the defenseman isn't forced to drop back in his goalies' lap causing that re-direction into the net.

MN goal 2
Todd Fedoruk shows once again he is much more than a brawler. In front of the net he catches the puck, and shows the patience and touch to hoist the puck over Theodore. Credit Lemaire for having Fridge out there rather than Boogaard. Boogaard fanned on an attempt earlier in the game. The play was amazing because all five members of the power play made nice plays touching the puck. It started with Rolston holding the blue line followed by a pass to the right point to Bouchard who had a cross ice pass to Koivu who then touch-passed it in the slot to Nummelin who one-timed it to Fedorouk. Three touch passes after great play from Rolston. It was as good as it gets.

OT goal Colorado winner
When Colorado rushes the puck up ice, Rolston does not make a strong effort to stop the rush at center ice and allows the Avs to gain the zone with some speed. Even though they didn’t have numbers Wolski was able to come into the zone 1-on-2 and buy enough time to pass it to the point for a slap shot which ultimately led to Sakic finding the puck in the slot and burying the game-winner.

In the defensive zone Nummelin stuck with Wolski while Sheppard and Rolston were mixed up on who was going to get out to the point. Both went half way allowing Salei to tee it up and neither player was able to mark the Sakic in front. It was the second time in the game where the Avs scored and the defenseman in front of the net had two Colorado players to cover and the points still weren’t well tended.

Who played Well?
One player who may not have made the box score but played very sound was James Sheppard. He showed no nerves playing in his first NHL playoff game.

Also, the penalty shot by Backstrom was amazing and could be something that gives him loads of confidence as the series moves on.

Who didn't
One player who stuck out has having a pretty miserable night was Carney. He was on the ice for Colorado's first two goals and got walked when the game was tight early in the third period. He was also the one that gave Colorado the penalty shot and the chance to take the lead late in the third period.

Special Teams
Lucky for the Wild, we didn't get a lot of opportunities to see the Colorado power play. The were a perfect 1-for-1. The Wild got the one power play goal and had a very good power play in its first attempt. It was a solid night on the power play, but still room for improvement.