O’Reilly Nets Big One
Rookie Ryan O’Reilly netted his first NHL goal, which doubled as the game-winner, in Colorado’s 3-2 victory over Montreal on Thursday. David Jones drew the lone assist on the play, centering a feed to O’Reilly in the slot. The 18-year-old center put a quick shot on goal that was stopped by Carey Price, but picked up his own rebound and buried one with 6:13 remaining in the third period.

Although he didn’t draw an assist on the play, partial credit has to go to Cody McLeod. The gritty winger put a big hit on Scott Gomez in the corner just prior to the goal. Gomez and Paul Mara were attempting to rough up McLeod in retaliation, leaving O’Reilly wide open.

Interestingly, the rookie’s first goal came at Bell Centre, the same arena in which he was selected by the Avalanche during June’s Entry Draft.

Cumiskey Steps Up
With defenseman John-Michael Liles (shoulder) out of the lineup, fellow blueliner Kyle Cumiskey stepped up his play.

Cumiskey picked up his first two points of the season during tonight’s game against Montreal, notching a goal and an assist in a season-high 18:11 of ice time.

Cumiskey picked up the helper at 13:39 of the second period. With the teams skating 4-on-4 due to penalties on Kyle Quincey and Tomas Plekanec, Cumiskey used his speed and elusiveness to buy himself some time before centering a feed to Milan Hejduk, whose shot trickled past Price and into the net.

It was Cumiskey’s first point in the NHL since Jan. 2, 2008, a span of 21 games.

The blueliner wasn’t done there, as he would add his first goal of the season with 28 seconds remaining in the middle frame. From the left boards – along the goal line extended - Cumiskey threw a puck toward the net that ricocheted off a Canadiens defenseman and into the goal. The tally, which was very similar to John-Michael Liles’ goal Tuesday night against Toronto, was the second of Cumiskey’s career and his first since Jan. 6, 2007 (56 games).

Stastny Hits 200
Drawing the secondary assist on Hejduk’s goal was Paul Stastny, who appeared in his 200th NHL game tonight. It was Stastny’s sixth point this season (1g/5a) and the 191st (64g/127a) of his career. Since making his NHL debut in 2006-07, the University of Denver product has averaged nearly a point-per-game (.955).

Wilson Makes Debut
With Liles sidelined for approximately two weeks, defenseman Ryan Wilson made his NHL debut tonight.

Wilson was originally recalled on Oct. 12 to take the roster spot of Ruslan Salei, who was put on Injured Reserve due to a back injury. He became the third Avalanche player to make his NHL debut this season, joining Matt Duchene and O’Reilly.

In his debut, Wilson saw 11:34 of ice time and registered one shot on goal, a hit and two blocked shots.