Hensick Gets First Goal In Win

The first 18 minutes were pretty awful. The stinking Kings took it to the Avs and managed to ttake two goals from Jose Theodore in the first 18 minutes of the game. The Avs looked basically dead in the water until Paul Stastny got another point on the road to cut the lead to one.

In the second and third, it was all Avs. 11 minutes into the second, TJ Hensick took a pass at the red line, put on a burst of speed, and score on a breakaway to net his first career NHL goal in just his second game. May it be the first of many!

Heading into the third, with the game knotted at 2, it took Ryan Smyth just 11 seconds to give the Avs the lead, and they never looked back, with Smyth getting the insurance goal and Hlinka providing the fifth one, the Avs beat the Kings 5-2.

Big Positives

-A win on the road!

-Hensick's first career goal

-A 42 minute effort instead of the usual 20

-3 for 3 on the penalty kill

Notes/Injuries

Joe Sakic is listed as day-to-day with a groin injury. No news on tonight's game.

Kurt Sauer was placed on IR on Sunday - No defenseman has been called up

Brad Richardson was called up soon after Sauer got injured. No clue as to why

Marek Svatos is still game-to-game with a groin injury

Ian Laperriere is scheduled to come back soon, hopefully for the Flyers game.

Andrew Brunette was given just four minutes of ice time. Scott Parker actually played 46 more seconds in the game.

Three Stars of the Game

1. TJ Hensick (CONGRATULATIONS to him on his first NHL goal, especially since it changed the momentum)
2. Ryan Smyth (Three point night for Smyth, also accidentally injured LaBarbera in the third)
3. Paul Stastny (He's starting to score on the road and he had not only the first goal, but the assist on the fourth goal)

Next Up

The Avs will play the San Jose Sharks for the second time in three nights in San Jose. The Avs are looking to rebound from their loss on Friday night. Look for Jose Theodore to get the start, considering Peter Budaj's last performance against San Jose. Go Avs!