Game 14: Avalanche 1, Predators 0

Also, Cody McCormick was “excused from the team for personal reasons,” whatever that means.

It means his grandmother died. McNabb said it a few times during the game.

I know every goalie deals with rebounds, and that the defense needs to clear them. But last night, there were so many fewer rebounds than in previous games. Budaj is absolutely responsible for the fewer rebounds, that’s one of the reasons his performance was so spectacular; he took away so many second chances, especially on the rush down the sideboards—he hold on to them instead of putting them in the corner.

Yes, a big problem is the D clearing rebounds, but if Budaj can take away 10% more rebounds, like he did last night, there wont be so many problems.

First games they’re scoring goals like they’re playing with magic sticks but the defense is nowhere to be found. Then everything is piecing together, where shortly after it all falls apart and now the defense is about as good as I (and many other fans) said they were gonna be during off-season. Pity the offense decided to mail it in today (9 goals in 6 games, looking sharp boys!).

I don’t even want to touch the Budaj subject as everyone has a clear opinion about it. Mine is as follows (and I will be quiet about it forever after this):

Budaj is a very decent goalie. He’s by no means elite, but he’s more than capable. If the defense plays as bad as they’ve been doing in the past, no goalie is gonna rescue the team, no Miller nor Roy.

Now the last touchy subject in my comment, Darcy Tucker.
It seemed Tucker was in the “MHH community” doghouse all of a sudden after the last 6 or so games. I defended him, as his talents were clearly visible for me.
Now he goes and tries to ruin someone’s career by destroying Schultz’ knees. I have no respect for that. From now on, I will not respect Tucker anymore and want to see him traded, regardless of his talents. Even players like Brad May and Cody McCleod have more style than that.

was a dick too, but we all loved him. I haven’t really decided yet whether to put tucker in that category or the brad may “category” (as if there is a category for a one of a kind steaming pile like that), but the knee thing definately helps the brad may side of the case out. i haven’t seen the hit yet, just read about it, so…. we’ll see. For now I’m still ambivilent.

I still like Tucker, and I always have.

Game ended after midnight in my area, so it was the first gift I got.

As much as I was thrilled to see the shutout and the temporary cessation of hostilities against Budaj, I was even more thrilled with the play of one Mr. T-to-the-J-to-the-Hensiiick. He was REALLY good at even strength and pretty damn good on the powerplay. The new defensive pairings seemed to play better too.