McGinn thriving with Colorado

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SAN JOSEIts been quite awhile since 23-year-old Avalanche forward Jamie McGinn has been on this kind of a hot streak. And it took a departure from San Jose for him to do it.

Maybe in junior hockey, McGinn said, when asked the last time he's been on such a run.

The winger has eight goals and four assists in 13 games with Colorado since he was sent East as part of a deal for Daniel Winnik and TJ Galiardi on Feb. 27, playing with skilled center Paul Stastny and David Jones.
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Im not going to think about it too much. Im just going to continue to go out there and take every game like its a new game and continue to work hard. You dont want to jinx anything, you want to continue to work.

McGinn and the Avalanche arrived in San Jose on Sunday, giving him a chance to catch up with his old teammates. He had dinner with Logan Couture, Colin White, Torrey Mitchell, Ryane Clowe and Jason Demers last night.
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On Monday morning, though, he was saying all the right things about a game that is essentially a must-win for his club. The Sharks and Avalanche each have 86 points and are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, and Colorado has just five games left as opposed to San Joses seven.

Its hockey, trades happen. You can be buddies off the ice, but once youre on the ice youve got to forget about it and worry about whats at hand," McGinn said. "With five games, every night is important, and you cant take a night off.

Whether you believe him or not, McGinn said that he hasnt thought about why the trade occurred in the first place. He was in the midst of a breakout year, and the deadline deal caught many by surprise, including him. Its still early, but its hard not to view it as a sweetheart of a deal for Colorado, even with Winniks improved play in the last week.

Im just forgetting about it. This is kind of a surreal moment, that you are traded and just seeing your old teammates again and being back at the Shark Tank, McGinn said. This was a special building to me, and the fans are energetic. I enjoyed playing here. Hopefully I can continue that in an Avalanche uniform, as well.

I havent thought about it. Its done and over with. Im happy, it worked out for me, and Im just going to continue to play.

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McGinn spent his time in San Jose this season generally on the third line with Mitchell and Michal Handzus. He was playing an average of 12:33 a night with the Sharks, but has seen his ice time jump by more than four minutes to 16:38 since joining Colorado.

Hes also getting a look on the top power play unit. Of his eight goals, three are with a man advantage.

With the ice time comes more confidence and you feel more a part of the game, he said. Im just trying to take it in stride, grab it, and go. Im just going to continue to take the ice time as it comes, continue to work hard, and hope that the success continues.

McGinn is also pleasing his head coach, Joe Sacco.

Jamies been excellent since hes been here, Sacco said. Hes played great for us. Hes been a very consistent player. I know that hes produced a lot offensively for us, hes got eight goals in 12 games, but I think even more than that hes solidified a line with Paul Stastny and David Jones. Hes been a real good fit with that group, and theyve been playing very well together lately.

Finally, McGinn was asked if he wouldnt mind sticking it to his old club tonight.

I mean, yeah, I want to win. We need the points just as bad as they do. Trade or no trade, both teams need the points, and thats all thats in my mind right now tonight is getting this win. We need it to be in the playoffs, so this is huge.

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