Christmas might be two days away but the Avalanche are already on break it would seem.

On a night where Craig Anderson looked akin to Marty Turco, the Avalanche were lulled to sleep by the defensively immaculate Minnesota Wild.

Wild coach Todd Richards may dispute his team being called a "trap team" by players, coaches and fans but there is no better word for the style of play that Minnesota plays and plays well.

They don't allow speed thorugh the neutral zone, don't turn over the puck and they sag down low in the offensive zone to prevent traffic. That said, the Avs have to play though it. Even the best trap is beat by speed and good passing, two things which the Avs have lacked for the last six periods, dating back to last game vs. Los Angeles.

There is something wrong with Craig Anderson. He's not moving well and not pushing off well, especially from the butterfly. Two bounces off the boards led to goals because Anderson could not move to the puck. Anderson has said he's alright but if he's not he has to be good to the team and tell them. Right now he's just hurting them. If Anderson is healthy and is just getting beat, would you Avs fans want Vokoun out of Florida?

The Avs played better defense tonight with only a bad Kevin Shattenkirk pass leading to Scott Matt Cullen's shorthanded goal being the only real defensive gaffe that led to a great scoring chance. Now, if only the goaltending would step up.

Three Stars

1. Nicklas Backstrom- phenominal game, making 36 saves
2. Matt Cullen- two goals and an assist
3. Peter Budaj- stopped all 18 shots he saw

Facepalm of the Game

Craig Anderson's worst performance to date in which he only made only 11 saves gets it tonight. If he's going to continue to start, he needs to be better.

Bang Bang play of the Game

Ryan Wilson's hit on Kyle Brodziak where he knocked him off his feet was the best thing to happen for the Avs tonight.

On a last note, my condolences to Pierre Turgeon's entire family. If you haven't heard, his daughter Elisabeth was killed in a car accident yesterday. Turgeon was an all-class guy and my heart goes out to him and his entire family. I met Elisabeth once and she was just a wonderful as her father. Best wishes.