First Round Matchup---Wings Fans Say "Bring It"

by Joe Dunman on Mar 21, 2008 8:07 AM MDT in News Comment 24 comments

At this point, it still looks highly possible that the Avs will make the playoffs in the eighth seed. If they do, then their first opponent would be the Detroit Red Wings, a team that absolutely dominated them during the regular season.

Oh, and there's some kind of history between the two. Really? I had no idea.

Am I worried? At this point, I don't think it matters who the Avs play in the first round---they're probably going to lose. I hate to be pessimistic, but be honest, this team doesn't exactly scream "capable" right now, does it? Well, capable of losing maybe, but whatev.

The Wings' diehards are not afraid of the Avs. In fact, they want this matchup bad:

Yes, laying waste to the Dive sounds like a glorious way to begin the Spring. Fun, most likely violent, and most certainly satisfying. From our narrow-minded fan’s perspective, it is the matchup of choice. More than that though, Denver’s the team we want to start with because they offer the best chance for a quick series.
Why? Jose Theodore has to prove to me that he’s ready for the playoff pressure of a series between Denver and Detroit. His second-half surge means little to me, just as his pre-Dive record and existence mean little. Scared of Forsberg? Don’t be. In fact, his presence may actually benefit whichever opponent the Dive play first round patsy to.

Good ol' Bill---also known as IwoCPO, the editor of Abel To Yzerman (and a MHH member, no joke)---then cites Dater's recent blog criticizing the "Steve McQueen" tendencies of Peter Forsberg.

Are the Wings' fans right, that Colorado would make for an easy first-round whipping boy? At this point, I can't argue. I wish it wasn't so, but let's not kid ourselves. The Avs have to somehow overcome constant injuries, uncoordinated defense, a complete lack of forward chemistry and consistently terrible coaching just to stay in the playoff hunt, let alone win a series against the best team in the NHL.

SIDE NOTE: If the Avs do end up facing the Wings in the first round, I highly recommend that every time a Wings fan throws an octopus on the ice, an Avs fan throws a kitten.

ADDENDUM: Here is Coach Q's favorite web game (my high score is 977 feet).

0 recs | Comment 24 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Read More: playoffs, blogs, red wings, avalanche

Comments

Hatred of the Wings

Ok we all know Detroit is one of the best in the league right now. We also know that they swept the season series against us. But we must NOT forget that Detroit has been notorious for losing in the first or second round to lower ranked teams. Coach Q can win me back if he figures out a way to take the series. Detroit's pretty banged up right now too. Lets hope for the best.

Lisserman

by lissd02 on Mar 21, 2008 8:34 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nothing Q does

Nothing Q does will win me back. He is holding this team BACK. If the Avs find success it will be in spite of that clown.

Never trust the lunch lady.

by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Mar 21, 2008 10:55 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bad matchup for Colorado

Q's record, regular season/playoffs, against Detroit is bad. I know teams who have struggled in the regular season against an opponent have come back to beat that team in the playoffs, but the Avs don't have that Patrick Roy luxury any more.

The Avs will be one and done regardless of who they play because of their horrible special teams, but if they can pull their heads out of their rears and find a way to finish sixth in the conference, I'd give them a fighting chance against the NW division winner.

by Angélique C. Murray on Mar 21, 2008 10:36 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Any of the current playoff contenders will likely demolish the Avs in the first round unless some things change. Personnel, coaching, strategy, whatever, the special teams need to be reworked from the foundation up. The PP especially is an afront to hockey fans.

by Mike @ MHH on Mar 21, 2008 10:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: I agree

But reworking the PP takes practice, even for veteran professional hockey players. And Forsberg jumping in and out of the lineup every other game (and in and out of the PP unit) doesn't exactly help things.

Do the Avs even have time to rework their PP, if Coach Q actually made that effort?

by Joe Dunman on Mar 21, 2008 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lucky Shot

2,451 FT on lucky shot... damn internet addictive games

by Jibblescribbits on Mar 21, 2008 1:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Lucky

2,451? Are you kidding? Coach Q has an team trainer job he'd like you to apply for.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 21, 2008 2:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

Yeah i hit like 15 bombs, like i said it was a rather lucky shot. My favorite is when the venus fly trap eats the kittens... I imagine that's Q's fav too

by Jibblescribbits on Mar 21, 2008 3:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unofficial Word

Does anyone know what the unofficial word was on Bob Hartley getting fired from the Avs? I heard he did not get along with players, but how could that be true when we played so well with him. Literally, the fans are so spoiled because he was behind the bench. I'm just wondering if the Avs would consider bringing him back too, or if there were other problems, in which case, they would not consider it. Yeah, call me nastolgic, but if the team worked...

by texacogirl on Mar 21, 2008 3:15 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

absolutely

roflmao @ the kitten cannon!!! HAAHAHAHAHAH!

I would love for the Avs to play the Wings in the first round. I believe we can win. As long as we turn our play around in these last games, I think we can beat the Wings. Remember, earlier in the season, with our lineup healthy (sans Sakic though), we outplayed the Wings in the first game. We lost 5-2 with an empty netter, but I remember we played great that game, we controlled the puck, played physical, and took it to them. I think Theodore was in that game and he sucked balls, he should have stopped at least 3 goals. But if he plays like he is capable of, I think the Avs can pull off an upset.

Also, the Wings beat us twice 1-0, that's not very good, especially considering how banged up the Avs were for those two games. Those scores certainly aren't very intimidating.

by Mike the Avs Fan on Mar 21, 2008 3:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

That's

a very positive outlook. Most fans are not being very positive right now, including MMH, which is disappointing. Although,, I have to say, I agree with the criticism. Always a pessimist, never an optimist. I think we have put up a good fight with the Dead Wings this season, barring the last game we played, which I had the dismay of watching first hand from The Can. We are coming off of a 6 game winning streak with three losses in the middle; not a 6 game losing streak with three wins in the middle. Think positive; love the Boys.

by texacogirl on Mar 21, 2008 3:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

it's not all bad

by Mike the Avs Fan on Mar 21, 2008 4:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

I'm not afraid of the Wings. At all. Bring those suckers on!

btw, I got 1651 points in that game, the trick is to shoot it at a small angle, like low. Maybe if we murder enough kittens on the game, there won't be any left for Q and the Avs to kill! Come on guys, start shooting those damn cats! lmao

by Mike the Avs Fan on Mar 21, 2008 3:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Dallas is my first choice..

but Detroit isn't all that bad either. Neither team is the same as from the "rivalry" era but the Avs always did seem to turn it around against Detroit when it came play off time...of course most of those match ups came in the conference finals as well. Detroit has a bad habit of getting really old, really fast come playoff time. Sure they have a younger team now, but their leadership is still ancient (not that ours is getting any younger either). A few changers in momentum and the Avs would have lead the series against Detroit this season, instead a few bad calls, some tough breaks, and we are 0-4 against them, playoffs might just be the straw we need to break their backs.

Of course we do actually have to win some games to stay in the play off picture.

by Americanario on Mar 21, 2008 7:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't get past

911 ft...that's a little erie.

How much trouble would we get in if we actually built one of these and shot kittens at the Can...one for every reject of a power play the Avs fail to score on.

by Americanario on Mar 21, 2008 7:15 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

All our games against the Dead wings

we played ultra-defensively which meant once they got a goal it was all over, if Q finally opens his idiots guide to coaching book and plays some offence then we stand a chance. Hopefully Foote will start kicking the asses of Q and any other person who's not trying during that series and they'll actually play playoff hockey.

Highest score so far is 328, thats sad although i did shoot my last one straight into a venus fly trap 43 feet away, that was pretty cool.

by Savage33 on Mar 22, 2008 12:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Just read the Abel blog

and have they realized were actually the COLORADO Avalanche and not denver avalanche, also whats up with them calling us the dive, it makes no sense. Apart from that it seems the same crap every Wings fan spouts, Foppa's a wreck and Theo's untested. If his second half surge means nothing to him and doesn't matter in regards to the playoffs then why talk about any goalies (or players for that matter) regular season. At least Theo and Foppa can stay on their skates and keep their sticks in their hands unlike hasek. if any Av gets a breakaway then the refs better be watching for Hasek to fall and throw, i mean drop, his stick at the players feet.

Highest score now 1,683ft

by Savage33 on Mar 22, 2008 1:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Just read the Abel blog

The references to "Denver" and "Dive" and "'Diques" are purely just to mock the Avalanche, which, until recently, were big rivals with the Wings. I've used "Dead Wings" and "Emptytown" and various other not-so-friendly-nor-accurate terms to describe the team from Detroit.

It's all in good fun.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 22, 2008 5:42 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know the rivalry

and "Dead Wings" and "Emptytown" but at least those reference the team's name and stupid hockeytown proclamation but like i said the Denver things kind of stupid since it's not part of our team name, it'd be like calling the Wings the Michigan Red Wings. Its just sounds wrong slighty confusing.
If we do lose a series to the Wings i'll be uber pissed since for me the rivalry will never end since my best friends a wings fan, he even bought a Chelios jersey. The even sadder thing is i thought was gonna get a Lidstrom one like he said he would then i saw him with a Chelios one. I blame Dr Cox from Scrubs for this abomination.

by Savage33 on Mar 22, 2008 6:27 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Bad

wrond and slighty confusing

by Savage33 on Mar 22, 2008 6:27 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Denver

Savage, I'm a pretty juvenile guy. Keeping that in mind, I wonder if the fact that you're actually discussing my use of "Denver" instead of your team's given name actually, you know, accomplishes what I'm after.

Just throwing that out there.

by IwoCPO on Mar 22, 2008 7:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs