Game 51: Avalanche 6, Blackhawks 3

by Joe Dunman on Jan 31, 2008 7:22 AM MST in NHL News

photo courtesy of Jack Dempsey/AP

The Avs needed a big win and they got it. With an onslaught that began in the first period with Milan Hejduk, Marek Svatos and Brad Richardson (welcome back, Richie!) each scoring goals, the Avs went on to crush the non-committal Blackhawks 6-3.

Highlights of the game included Tyler Arnason's three points (huh?) and Svatos getting another assist (what?). The line combination of Wolski-Arnason-Svatos was responsible for three goals and five assists, not to mention constant offensive pressure on the Blackhawks throughout the game. The Avs even scored on the power play, too, and had another goal immediately after one ended. Also, Ben Guite was a machine, beautifully setting up Richardson's goal with a great sweep and pass from behind the 'Hawks net. It's pretty clear that he and Richardson still have the chemistry they started building late last season.

Jose Theodore played well before being pulled in the third period by what the team is calling "back spasms" but is probably a broken leg or a ruptured spleen. You can never be too sure with the Avalanche medical team. But, while he allowed only one goal, Theodore only faced eleven shots, and just barely finished the game with a save percentage above .900. Peter Budaj had a much rougher time in relief of Theo, allowing two goals on four shots. One was due to a Scott Hannan screw up, but was still stoppable, as was the other one. Call it rust, broken confidence, or the curse of a new goalie mask paint job, Budaj wasn't himself. Hopefully, if Theodore ends up having to sit out for a while due to injury, Boots will regain his excellent form from mid-December and provide the same stability that Theodore has been providing for the past few games.

The next game for the Avs is Friday in Detroit. Yay. Hopefully their newfound scoring ability will not vanish when they take on the best team in the NHL.

Stars of the Game:

Marek Svatos (2g, 1a)

Tyler Arnason (1g, 2a)

Milan Hejduk (1g, 1a)

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Comments

back spasms

I was secretly hoping those back spams were of the "Sorry Jose, we just traded you, and your new team doesn't want you getting hurt" variety.

by jd21 on Jan 31, 2008 12:56 PM MST reply actions

When I...

...found out he had practiced today, I figured that was probably the case.

If he's not traded and not in net for the next game, then we know that he's really hurt.

by Thomas @ Mile High Hockey on Jan 31, 2008 9:25 PM MST up reply actions

That would be nice...

I wish Budaj had been able to jump right back into the net and stone the Hawks. Hopefully it is rust and he gets a chance to play again on this 2 games in two nights road trip.

Nice to see scoring by 3 of the 4 lines. And Arnason is starting to look like he's a hockey player.

by Americanario on Jan 31, 2008 1:29 PM MST reply actions

Re: That would be nice...

Don't get used to it. Arnason will be right back to his ineffective self in no time.

by Joe Dunman on Jan 31, 2008 5:21 PM MST up reply actions

Re: That would be nice...

Arnason did manage to make a meal out of his goal, he fanned the first shot and got lucky that it hit his skate and bounced back. I don't think he's the answer to our prayers.

by Savage33 on Feb 1, 2008 3:06 AM MST up reply actions

In fairness to Boots,

Yes he probably should have stopped them but you cant expect any goalie, including Broduer to an extent, to play at their best after 10 and 2/3 games sitting on the bench, with basically no warm up and it wasn't like Theo was getting shelled and it was a matter of time before he was pulled cause he was playing well and seemed fine so Budaj couldn't have been expecting to play.

by Savage33 on Feb 1, 2008 3:02 AM MST reply actions

Well...

Yes he probably should have stopped them but you cant expect any goalie, including Broduer to an extent, to play at their best after 10 and 2/3 games sitting on the bench,

Unless it's JoeTed, in which case if he's not 100% perfect, he "sucks".

by Thomas @ Mile High Hockey on Feb 1, 2008 8:54 AM MST up reply actions

RE: Well...

Unless it's JoeTed, in which case if he's not 100% perfect, he "sucks".

Pretty much yeah.

Mike @ MHH

by Mike @ MHH on Feb 1, 2008 11:32 AM MST up reply actions

RE: Well...

I never said anything about Theodore sucking, i think Theo's a little inconsistant but on his day a good goalie, I just stated that it's a lot harder for a goalie to play well coming in to start the 3rd period when they're not expecting it, especially after such a stretch of not playing games than it is to start a full game after the same stretch.

by Savage33 on Feb 1, 2008 5:14 PM MST up reply actions