Sharks blow out Avs

Colorado
Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche won the first two games of the series in San Jose and was getting ready to cruise to the second round, but the Sharks have turned it round. Game 5 is in Denver on Saturday night with Game 6 scheduled for Monday in San Jose.

"We feel really good about our situation now," Damphousse said. "It's a lot better than coming in here two down. We know we're going back to San Jose, and we want to be in a good position going there. Our key now is to win the game (Saturday) and have a chance to win (the series) at home."

Mike Vernon finished with 32 saves for San Jose. Patrick Roy stopped 19 of 25 shots before being pulled late in the final period.

"They're a talented group and they get a lot of chances," Vernon said. "We're just trying to play good, solid defensive hockey and keep the goals-against down. If we can do that, we feel we have a better chance of staying with them and competing in this series."

Colorado held a 2-0 lead in the second period before the Sharks started their onslaught with two goals in a 28 seconds for 2-2 tie. San Jose finished it off in the third period with four goals.

"We got embarrassed," Colorado captain Joe Sakic said. "We can't worry about what's happened in the past. We have the best-of-3 and two games at home. We have to make sure we take advantage of that."