Game 5: Blue Jackets At Avalanche, Preview And Open Thread
by Joe Dunman on Oct 13, 2007 1:21 PM MDT
in NHL News
Email
Print
After losing badly to the St. Louis Blues last night, the Avalanche seek to score revenge on the Central Division by continuing their long dominance over Columbus. The Avs are 21-1-1 all-time against the Blue Jackets.
The Jackets are playing well, having won two of their first three games. Pascal Leclaire, their young goalie, has been strong in net this season, and will look to shut down an Avalanche offense that has scored 11 goals in two home games already this year. Good luck to him.
Paul Stastny continues his offensive miracle work for Colorado, having scored 9 points (5 goals) in four games. He had the lone goal against the Blues last night.
Hopefully the Avalanche defense will remember which team they're playing for and let's hope Coach Q is done trying to defibrillate Jose Theodore's goaltending career. If Peter Budaj doesn't start tonight's game, I will likely not watch at all.
And when is Joe Sakic's line (any incarnation of it) going to score a goal at even strength? What the hell?
Hope to see everyone here tonight as I live blog the game. Join in on the fun!
ESPN preview.
66 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I wish
I wish the Avalanche would play at more decent hours for me to be able to see them more. 7 hours of difference between Denver and Portugal kind of sucks.
Here's hoping that the NHL gets a more balanced schedule next season, which (among many other good reasons) would mean more trips to the east and more games starting at decent hours for me. 7pm ET is good enough for me.
Good luck Avs, it's time to start making a difference when comparing this season to the last.
On TV
The game is blacked out on Center Ice Online for me since I live in the Fox Sports Net Ohio region (also in the FSN South region, too, but I digress). The game is on TV here so I won't be able to live blog as easily---the computer is another room than the TV.
But I'll still be around. Post away!
Budaj in net
Thank god Budaj is in net.
And Clark blew it on the first play, almost gave a goal to Steve Nash. Lame.
Leclaire
Pascal Leclaire is looking scary good so far tonight.
And the Avs couldn't convert on a freakin' 5-on-3. Crap.
The lines...
appear to be what was used late in the St. Louis game, with Wolski up with Joe and Brunette.
At least Brunette is crashing the net...
New top line
Seems Coach Q is running Wolski with Brunette and Sakic on the top line tonight. So far a good choice.
Re: Why?
Where else would you put him? Stastny-Smyth-Hejduk are the second line. There's no where else to go but Wolski's old spot with Arnason and Svatos.
Re: Hlinka
Well, Hlinka hasn't gotten anything done with Sakic so far this year, so it's worth a shot trying him somewhere else. Besides, Svatos could use a strong playmaker, since he works best when fed the puck. It could work out pretty well.
Jeff Finger
Finger's looking good again tonight. Physical.
Put a great hit on a Jacket in the corner and then got in a scrum around the net. That's my boy.
Re: Finger
Coach Q says "we'll give 'em the Finger!"
Finger's been impressive in every game he's played this season, and with Leopold out again, he's got a permanent spot on the lineup every night---for now.
Well..
with Leopold apparently made of glass candy, we better get used the givin' em da Finga!!
Nash
Nash if fully-growed. Yikes!
Great save by Budaj, though.
Can somebody explain to my why we need Parker for this game?
First period
Avs are 3-3 on the penalty kill. Still losing every face-off, though.
Budaj got LUCKY on the Rick Nash shot---it bounced off the right post while Boots pulled a Hasek.
Overall, good effort by the Avs but Stastny doesn't seem to be doing much out there tonight. Ryan Smyth and Wolski look strong---very active in the Jackets' zone at all times.
The Jackets' announcers have flubbed some names tonight. Svatos got called "Svinkas" and Kurt Sauer got called "Sawyer". Somebody get those announcers some programs!
Altitude
Conversely, the Altitude crew have commented on how the zebras have called everything tonight while some stuff was let go against Saint Louey.
The mad scientist combos for the 1st and 3rd lines make me uneasy. Parker continuing to draw a paycheck makes me queasy.
Re: Queasy
No kidding. Parker seems just about useless. I know Wyatt Smith is just filling in for Brad Richardson, but why isn't Parker in the AHL where he belongs? I'd take Mark Rycroft over him.
Re: Whoa now!
At least Rycroft can accept a pass. Parker can't even keep the puck on his stick.
I'd prefer the Avs were sans-Sheriff.
Get it? A little font humor for ya.
Bear with me. I got up at 5 this morning and spent half my day flying across the country.
WOW!!!!
how in the hell did that go in? I'm enjoying the conversation here...good job guys
by David O on Oct 13, 2007 8:04 PM MDT reply actions
It's the first chance...
I'm getting to watch the Avs this season and I wanted to see stastny play more than anything
by David O on Oct 13, 2007 8:19 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: Son of Stastny
Nobody believed Avalanche fans last season when we said he deserved the Calder. He did, and he's even better this year.
Beware the Son Of Stastny!
Buzzing now...
The Avs seem to be buzzing a little now.
Crazy deflection on Budaj.
The 'book' on Leclaire must have something about wraparounds cuz the Avs have tried that at least three times in the 2nd period.
The Duke For TWO!!
Hejduk scores another goal on a great wrist shot that caught the outside corner.
Nice work. He's cruising this year.
Prediction
Still think my prediction of the Duke leading the team in points was off?
Don't want to jinx it though...
Budaj!
Huge series of saves by Budaj. He's looking fantastic as usual tonight.
Why again does Coach Q even consider playing Theodore?
Control of 2nd
For the most part, the Avs controlled the 2nd. Columbus had some streaks, like the one in the last two or three minutes, but a good period overall, and not just cuz of the goals.
Faceoffs seem better. At one point the Altitude broadcast showed a graphic and out of almost 20 FO's the Avs won over 15. Not bad.
I like the forecheck of Hejduk's line. Good aggressive and keeps the D honest.
Watching the replay of the last save sequence for LeClaire.... Wow. Mad athleticism and skill. Just... Wow.
Re: Goalies
Both goalies are showing signs of greatness tonight.
Let's just hope Leclaire keeps showing a little less greatness than Budaj.
Goalies
Budaj's BF slide in the 2nd to get back across to his right was a thing of beauty.
He seems to be handling the puck extremely well tonight too. That's helped the Av's prevent some dump-in opportunities too.
Re: Goalies
Absolutely. Budaj was not only well-positioned but he was highly mobile. And he was swallowing every puck that came his way. Rebounds were NOT a problem tonight at all.
Second Period
Avalanche looked better in the second period. Jeff Finger is playing really well, along with Budaj, who's extremely strong in net. He's keeping his rebounds under control and is perfectly positioned at all times.
Up front, the top two lines are playing well. I wish they could find a good place for Hlinka to play---he's not clicking with Arnason and Svatos.
Wolski's playing his heart out as usual.
So far so good.
The bad news is the Avs just LOVE to blow two goal leads in the third period, so anything could happen.
Blanked
Sorry, Rick Nash, but Budaj has your number tonight. Another great save.
The Avs are looking great, killing every penalty.
Sakic
The Altitude crew is gushing about Sakic. "Most Improved" player in the NHL, blah, blah. We know he's great, you don't have to comment every time he makes a good defensive play.
I'm pretty sure they'll need to change shorts after the game.
Huh?
How is Sakic the most improved? He's always a great player. That doesn't make any sense to me at all.
I'm sure Haynes is crying every time Sakic even glances at the press booth.
Scoring
Scoring so far tonight for the Avalanche:
Hejduk: 2 goals, 1 assist
Sakic: 2 goals
Stastny, Liles, Wolski, Brunette, Hannan and Smyth: 1 assist each
Sakic HAT TRICK!!
Gorgeous pass from Wolski to Super Joe for the easy one-timer wrist shot. Three goals tonight and 614 for his career!!
Avs 5-1.
Thought process...
Wolski's thought process on that last goal went something like this:
Turnover, Sakic's with me...
2-on-1...
Shoot?
Must pass or I'll be on 4th line with Captian Caveman Parker...
Make a good pass...
Make a good pass...
Whew! I keep my job!
Ugly end...
The Altitude Crew figures 30+ games for the guy that tried to decapitate Parker.
The shot of Parker in the box reminded me of a picture of Ozzy Osbourne after he bit the head off a bat. Scary.
#55 for the BJ's get my vote for pussah of the game.
Big thanks to Mike Peca who felt the need to make three trips to the box tonight. Thanks, Mike.
Re: Parker
I guess the only thing Parker's good for is taking shots to the head. At least he's good at something, Jose Theodore...
I kid them both, I kid.
Wrap-up
Great game by the Avalanche. They owned the puck all night.
Everybody, with the exception of Brett Clark and Scott Parker, played well.
My new favorite player on the team is Jeff Finger. From this point on, if he's in the game, the official Mile High Hockey chant is "Give 'em da Finga!!"
I'll do a full recap tomorrow. Thanks everybody for reading along, and thanks to Mike as always for his great participation.
Played well
Everyone played well except Parker. Clark has picked up his game, as has Skrastins. I have had some tough words for Skrats lately also - great to see those two playing better. Liles also had his best game this year.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Oct 13, 2007 11:36 PM MDT up reply actions
Re: Played well
I saw Clark bungle too many passes and fail to pick up his man too many times for me to consider the game a success for him.
Liles, however, did indeed have an excellent game. He even had a couple of good hits!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mile High Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
