Game 20: Ducks 4, Avalanche 1

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 25, 2008 8:15 AM MST in Game Recaps Comment 45 comments

Things Are Not Just Ducky For The Avs

Photo by Gus Ruelas (AP)

Early in last night's game, Altidude Peter McNab said that one way to beat the Ducks was with an aggressive forecheck. Under pressure, the Ducks would start to lose composure and take penalties and the Avalanche would make them pay on the ensuing powerplays. That may be true. Of course, we didn't see any of that. Instead, Anaheim showed that that's also a really good way to beat the Avalanche.

In a game that was eerily reminiscent of the disastrous home-and-home against Calgary last week, the Ducks used a relentless forecheck against the Avalanche to create pressure, to force penalties and to keep the Avs out of their zone. The Avalanche had no answer to the pressure - they could barely get the puck out of their zone, let alone mount an odd-man counter attack the other way. The Avalanche took just three minor penalties, but all three resulted in Anaheim goals (two on the powerplay, one just a few seconds after a penalty had expired). Peter Budaj didn't look terrible, but he did look a bit fatigued. In hindsight, this would have been a perfect game to rest him as the Avs had no chance at winning (Tony Granato did lift him after the 2nd intermission).

For the first five minutes of the game, the Avalanche forwards tried something new: any time someone in white had the puck, the other forwards skated right too the net. It generated some chances early but seemed to be quickly abandoned in favor of the old strategy of completely random play in the offensize zone. It worked as expected - the Avs scored one goal.

For the 3rd time in two days, an Avalanche player had to be helped off the ice. In the second period, Darcy Tucker had an extraordinarly awkward collision with Brendan Morrison in front of the Avalanche bench. Tucker had just come on the ice and was completely flat-footed for the hit and seemed to injure his leg lower body on the play. As a precaution, the Avs medical staff also removed his spleen, appendix, tonsils and wisdom teeth and performed a precautionary root canal. He should be back in action in 1-100 days.

The Avalanche have had a lot of these flat games lately. I still believe they are better than the way they are playing, but they need to find their way soon. With another few weeks of this tepid effort, the only thing we'll be looking forward to is draft day.

Lines

After finally getting to the point where Sakic's back was healthy enough to play, Super Joe had to have an emergency root canal. The Avs were also without Adam Foote, Wojtek Wolski and Ben Guite. Daniel Tjarnqvist made his Avalanche debut and played okay.

Smyth, Stastny, Svatos
Willsie, Hensick, Hejduk
Tucker, Arnason, Jones
McLeod, McCormick, Lappy

Quick Hits

Cody McLeod and Nathan McIver had a tremendoud McBattle 7 seconds in. It wasn't an acrimonious fight - McIver ended up with McLeod's elbow pad and helpfully tossed it to McLeod over the penalty box glass.
The listless Avalanche had just 10 hits and 4 blocked shots in the game.
It was Brett Clark's turn to wear the "A" last night (though he's credited in the box score with the "C")

Next Up

The Avs host the St Louis Blues on Wednesday. The Blues always seem to give the Avs more trouble than they should. We're 3-5 against St Louis in the last two years. None of the 8 games have been decided by fewer than two goals and the winner has scored at least 4 goals in 7 of the 8 games.

Other Recaps

Northwest Standings

	GP	PT
Vancouver	22	30
Minnesota	19	25
Calgary	21	23
Edmonton	20	20
Colorado	20	18

(updated 11.25.2008 at 9:19 AM EST)

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Comments

Budaj's limits

Peter Budaj plays very well when he gets 5-8 starts in a row. After last night, we know that 10 starts in a row is too many. Granato should have known better. There was no reason not to start Raycroft last night (or the game before against the Kings).

Budaj looked tired in the post-game interviews after the Kings game, and considering how the team is playing in front of him, he needs rest wherever he can get it.

Hopefully he’ll be rested and ready for the Blues.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 8:34 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Weds

Starts 3 games in 4 days, it’d be nice if he got Friday against the Coyotes off.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 25, 2008 8:45 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Why isn’t anyone freaking out as much as I am yet? Are we using the whole “Injury bug” excuse again, or is it obvious they’re just not showing up. Without heart, there is no team.

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Nov 25, 2008 8:56 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I’ll admit I’m starting to freak out a bit. But I’m indie rock so it’s a very low key, nonchalant freak out.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 9:07 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I had my personal Avalanche meltdown last week. Now, I’m not really expecting anything so I can’t be let down. The upside to that is, being on the east coast, I can fall asleep after one period and not have to worry about missing anything except injuries.

I would even be content with the Avs playing the promised up tempo hockey, having the same record, but losing games 7-4. The way they play now, it’s like watching NJ Devils’ neutral-zone-trap-brought-to you-by-the-good-folks-at-Valium hockey.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 9:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Because in the whole reality of this thing called hockey, my freaking out is going to change…..my blood pressure and the desire of my wife and kids to be around me. Most of us see the issues that this team NEEDS to address, we talk/blog about and it’s out there. But other than that there is nothing we can really do.

Personally I came into this season hoping for the best, but expecting a little more than what we have gotten. It’s very disappointing to see the team play this way. OK so it sucks really; and I can’t change that.

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Nov 25, 2008 1:43 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep. I have a feeling that this blog is going to get really funny to people with dark senses of humor as the season goes on.

As long as we continue to be funny here at MHH, it doesn’t matter how awful the Avs are.

I’m not losing sleep over a hockey team, even one I love as much as the Avs.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 1:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Based on the last few weeks

One question that keeps popping into my head: So, how good is this John Tavares kid? Good enough to help fix this mess?

This team ain’t going anywhere, fellas. I don’t know how much of it is coaching, how much is lack of talent/speed/size/youth, or what, but they pretty much suck right now. I remember watching the Kamensky-Forsberg-Lemieux line back in the good old days and just marveling at how they kept the puck in the other team’s zone forever, almost always generating decent scoring chances. Now I know what it is like to be a fan of that other team. Much of the time. And it sucks.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 8:58 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think any one player could fix this mess, but, knowing nothing of Tavares, it couldn’t be that bad of a place to start?

I have the ‘96 Avalanche Landslide VHS and watch it almost monthly. It’s the only reason I kept my VCR. Kamensky, Forsberg, and Lemieux is my all time favorite line. Landslide has a clip during the finals of those 3 on the bench when Lemeiux, back after his suspension says, “Peter, Val, we’re out together… and we’re gonna burn em.” It’s bad ass.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 9:29 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

My favorite line as well. Just fricken amazing how they controlled the game when they were on the ice. Sort of like the entire Calgary team did against the Avs in Calgary last week. Or like Anaheim’s monster first line did last night.

This team is putrid. And poorly coached. Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind, at this point, that Q at the very least had a system and got what he could out of what they could throw on the ice? They were even competitive with a boatload of inuries last season. Now they hardly compete with a full deck.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 10:12 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

This team ain’t going anywhere, fellas.

I hate it but I agree. And all that young talent we were counting on just isn’t going to pan out right away, if ever. The Avs are going to have to draft high or start trading. They’ve got no other choices, it appears.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 10:00 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I also agree. The biggest victim in all of this is Super Joe, IMO. He had to look at this roster and think “That’s pretty solid. I could be a part of that.” Too bad he, and all of us, were wrong. Really, wrong. Even worse, we were “I just made out with my sister” wrong.

Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 12:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Luckily, there’s still a ton of time left to turn this around. But will they? Can they?

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 12:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I still think

The Avs are in the middle of this five game stretch that will determine if they have to enter despiration mode or scrap it/fire sale mode. I say after the next three games, if the Avs are not .500 or better, they are going to have to do something drastic. They must win 2 of the next 3.

InYoFace Phadouche! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Nov 25, 2008 12:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven’t given up hope, but I don’t see it happening. They aren’t losing games, they’re getting outclassed consistantly. I orignally had outworked in there, but really they haven’t put enough effort forth in half the games to even constitute being called work.

Without a coaching change or a huge player deal, like more than 3 guys involved, I haven’t seen any reason to believe this team is headed in the right direction. A team with Adam Foote, Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, and Lappy is playing without heart? It doesn’t get much more WTF than that.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 12:58 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

A team with Adam Foote, Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, and Lappy is playing without heart? It doesn’t get much more WTF than that.

Well said.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 1:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

But they ARE. Lappy and Smyth show plenty of heart, but they can’t carry the rest of the team.

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Nov 25, 2008 1:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I've been wondering about Super Joe's thought process ...

And lately, I’ve been thinking that the main reason he took soooo much time to decide to come back was that he wasn’t impressed with the moves made in the offseason? Had they kept Bruno, not signed Tucker, maybe actually signed a decent forward or two with skill and a defenseman with a booming shot from the point, maybe even interviewed for the HC vacancy, maybe he would have decided to stay sooner? As it turned out, he had to trick himself into thinking this team could be good. Like we all did.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 12:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It must have been hard to trick himself considering it meant $6 million more dollars in the bank. That would have been a really tough call for me, good team or not…

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 12:49 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It's

“Dang, I just busted a hip” insurance.

InYoFace Phadouche! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Nov 25, 2008 12:50 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to say, “Ow, my back hurts” insurance, but yeah, word.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 12:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

With a “Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home” clause.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 12:59 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

And I think

He can get one helluva one of those shiatzu or whatever back massagers at Walmart for $6M. He’s sitting pretty, unless he is still watching the games like us. Maybe he’s a Canuck fan now?

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 1:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

He probably has the upscale sharper image model that comes with fog effects and disco lights.

Either that, or it would be fun in your last year in the league to tour all the press boxes and eat all the different free foods while people tell you how shitty the team below is without you.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 1:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d prefer it was Tyler Arnason doing that.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 1:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn’t deserve free buffet, though.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 2:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he’s a Canuck fan now?

That’s sacrilege, sir! And you should take that back

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Nov 25, 2008 1:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I know. And I only said it because he is from BC, but it was a cheap shot and I take it back. He is currently a very highly paid Av fan. With a sore back and a sore tooth.

I hope he comes back and stays healthy for the rest of the season. Not likely, though. And sadly, if he does end up missing a big chunk of the season, he really isn’t worth the $6M in cap space he’s eating up. I still wonder if smiley even considered seeing if he would take less? Hey, he didn’t interview for head coaches, I wouldn’t be surprised.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 1:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

More sad commentary - or Random Avservations

I don’t think I’ve ever been less upset by an Av injury than when Tucker went down last night. I don’t like the guy. Don’t like his game. Don’t like his antics. And frankly, most of the time he hasn’t put in any effort so far this season. I guess an injury to Arnason could put a test to this, but at least Arny isn’t a douche.

Mr. Sunshine Blower 3000, McNab, went on a little soliloquy last night about the value and versatility of Brian Willsie. How he can play the PK, the PP, and 5-on-5. Hey Peter, so can I! Not well. Not even at a lower rec league level. But throw me out there, and I can “play.” When McNab’s soliloquies target Brian fricken Willsie we know we’re in trouble.

Hensick doesn’t always skate hard out there. And that is a problem. Major, when he’s being asked to be a top 2 or even 3 line center. Until I see the guy willing to bust his butt out there all of the time, the jury is still out on him in my book. He has talent and ability. I’d love to see him try to apply it a little more. No, a lot more.

David Jones somehow forgot how to do two things between now and the start of the season. Skate and keep his head up. He’s getting killed out there. Wtf happened?

Remember the couple of goals McLeod scored at the beginning of the season? I doubt that he does either.

Did Stastny’s new contract really alleviate a distraction for him? Or did it just add unneeded weight to his shoulders that he can’t handle right now? Whatever, he isn’t earning his big pay day right now. At all.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 1:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

You could say similar things about every single player on the team. What’s the exact opposite of “scrappy?” That’s what the Avs are. They’re playing professional hockey like they’re comprised entirely of jello.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 1:47 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d like to give unhonorable mention to Svatos, Wolski, Foote, and Hannan. Svatos gets a half pass because he was playing with Tyler McDouch for most of the season. Wolski hasn’t been that bad, but he sure hasn’t lived up to expectations. Foote is either taking prozac or he doesn’t care anymore. I’m not sure Hannan ever cared. Like everyone else, he hasn’t been all suck, but he’s certainly been more slurp than we bargained for.

Barring any amazing turnaround before the trade deadline, I’m starting to think more and more that the best thing for the Avs is to blow this team up. Let Svatos and Wolski go for picks at the trade deadline, they could be high picks considering it includes their RFA rights. Arnason they probably couldn’t give away, but he won’t be back. Tucker should generate a suitor or two based more on his reputation than his play. If anybody wants McCormick or McLeod for anything, super. Hannan and Foote may draw some attention somewhere.

Get a new coach who actually has a plan, a vision, a drawing on a napkin, any idea at all for this team and start building to get there. The more I think about it, the more I’m convincing myself that the Avalanche need to pull the game out of the nintendo, blow in it, and start all over. Rock out the last half of the season with Monsters in Avalanche jerseys, take the losses and the picks, and start building a winner from the ground up.

I will miss some of the guys I mentioned, but this team has the chemistry of a black hole and I just don’t know how it could be patched up at this point.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 2:35 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

GIGGY

I would not be opposed to this if our GM was more competent. I would be reluctant to put trust in his draft savvy.

GO AVS

by slapshotr2007 on Nov 25, 2008 2:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t disagree, but I have no other ideas.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 2:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point. And don’t forget the scouting staff. Any scouting staff responsible for giving a thumbs up to the Tucker and Raycroft signings isn’t worth crap.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 3:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, in their defense, the team couldn’t afford Hossa.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 3:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Antonyms

Well I couldn’t find an exact antonym of Scrappy (not in our context) but the antonyms for “Tenacious” that I would choose are:

Submissive
acquiescent
docile
nonresistant
Passive

I like docile. It seems to fit right

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 25, 2008 2:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I like submissive. Somebody photoshop a gag and a chain collar onto a picture of Arnason.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 25, 2008 2:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

And then have to live with that image forever burned into my brain? No thanks.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 3:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I could have ran down almost the entire lineup, but it wasn’t worth the effort. In fact, maybe we could say the Avs’ play has been “effortless,” in this sense?

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 25, 2008 3:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

People have too much spare time, and I salute them for it.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 3:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Lololol. I think the narrator was using that tape recorder from home alone 2.

The artist formerly known as ClaudeLemieux

by JonHaven on Nov 26, 2008 7:44 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

McNabb

At one point in the second period, the play got so boring on the ice, Haynes and McNabb started talking about Alexei freaking Gusarov for 5 freaking minutes. How he came up in conversation by them talking about how angry Foote can be and then on to Gusarov being his partner. What does that say about the play on the ice when you can go on a tangent that long and not have anything draw your attention back to the game? I guess when you can’t say anything critical of the team AND no sliver lining positives, change the subject.

InYoFace Phadouche! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Nov 25, 2008 1:50 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Can’t remember that conversation, but then i spent the last 30 minutes of the game reading a book, periodically checking if any new comments had been posted.

"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost

by Savage33 on Nov 25, 2008 4:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember that conversation as one of the most interesting things that happened in the game.

by Pookie on Nov 25, 2008 9:47 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t believe nobody has tried to photochop that picture in the recap to put a word ballon over McLeod’s head. There’s a comedy gold mine there, I bet.

Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Nov 25, 2008 5:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs