Game 25 Recap: Predators 4 - Avalanche 3 (OT)

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 25, 2009 10:22 PM MST in Game Recaps Comment 38 comments

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, top, of Finland, lands on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tom Preissing after they collided in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

More photos » David Zalubowski - AP

2 months ago: Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, top, of Finland, lands on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tom Preissing after they collided in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Final - 11.25.2009	1	2	3	OT	Total
Nashville Predators	2	1	0	1	4
Colorado Avalanche	0	3	0	0	3

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I don't know what it is about the 2nd period, but it is almost single handedly making the Avs' season so far. Some games (like tonight), the Avs have come out flat. Other games, they coast towards the finish line. But that middle period? That's keeping them in hockey games, and up in the standings. It's nothing really new. In each of the last 4 seasons, the 2nd period has been the Avs' best offensively. Goal totals over those 4 seasons: 224 in the first, 233 in the 3rd and 289 in the 2nd. Why? Honestly, I don't have the foggiest. It just seems to be what it is.

The Avalanche looked terrible in the first 20 minutes, although, to be fair, the Predators played excellent hockey early on. With Brett Clark taking an early penalty, Nashville was able to convert and jump on an early 1-0 lead. Marcel Goch later made it 2-0 and, really, it could have been much worse. The Avalanche limped to the dressing room after 20 minutes lucky to be down by just two.

But, as has been the case all year, the Avalanche came to life in the 2nd period. Terrific passes by Milan Hejduk, David Jones and Chris Stewart set up goals by Ryan Wilson, Hejduk and Marek Svatos and in just over 14 minutes, the Avalanche turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead. The couldn't seal the deal, though, as Shea Weber scored late in the 2nd period to tie things up and both teams tightened it up in a scoreless 3rd period.

There's been a lot of talk about the large number of shootouts this year. Like a lot of people, I fall into the "hate the shootout, but admit it's fun to watch" category. It's true; I think the shootout is a ridiculous way to decide a hockey game, although I find them exciting. But tonight's game is a good reminder that OT can be every bit as exhilarating as a shootout. Yes, Nashville was the team to score, leaving the Avs with a solitary loser point, but that was 3 minutes of wild hockey. Frankly, I'd much rather see OT extended to 10 minutes. If you still want a shootout after that so that there aren't any ties, I'll stop complaining. But you have to get rid of the loser point. Please.

To our American readers, have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving tomorrow! For everyone else: we'll see you early on Friday; the puck drops in Minnesota at 2pm eastern.

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ps
the birthday boy played 26:14, tops in the game and for him on the season.

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 25, 2009 10:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Except he got MEGA-burned on the 2nd goal (I think it was the second goal)…thinking of Beachie again

by chiavsfan on Nov 26, 2009 6:37 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

yah, sorry about that guys. a tassel fell off right before he went out on the ice and…well…it was cold…and… yah, sorry.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 26, 2009 1:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

I thought that was the reason the whole team missed the 1st.

A 2nd round rookie in the race for Calder? ORLY? Ya RLY!

by Drakenlot on Nov 26, 2009 1:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice sig.

An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.

by texacogirl on Nov 26, 2009 1:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

the puck drops in Minnesota at 2pm eastern.

what a stupid time for a hockey game..can they do anything right in minnie?

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 25, 2009 11:11 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Didn’t get a chance to see the game. I crashed pretty hard after making the 5 hour (normally 4) drive from Tampa to Ft. Lauderdale in the pouring rain and traffic. I’m lucky enough to have an aunt that lives in Florida who invited me to Thanksgiving dinner.

A couple of questions:

Was Cumiskey a healthy scratch in favor of Preissing, or is there something wrong with him?
Was JML a Thanksgiving baby?

Also, that’ll teach me to sit Shea Weber on my fantasy team.

by c0nquistad0rian on Nov 25, 2009 11:11 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Cumiskey is out because of a foot injury.
JML wasn’t a Thanksgiving baby – Thanksgiving was on the 27th in 1980.

Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.

by Rather Dashing on Nov 25, 2009 11:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

On Roadrunner

He ran into this thing I assume:

A 2nd round rookie in the race for Calder? ORLY? Ya RLY!

by Drakenlot on Nov 25, 2009 11:49 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The roadrunner was fooled by the coyote’s disguise and finally got caught.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 26, 2009 8:22 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Zero shots on goal

in overtime by the Avs.

What’s up with that!?!?!

You can’t win if you DON’T SHOOT THE PUCK!

Arrgh!

by Ace O'Dale on Nov 25, 2009 11:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Ugh.

Avs’ have only outshot their opponent in 5 contests this year.

by HugoAgogo on Nov 26, 2009 12:51 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that could have been worse...

With the 3rds + Preissing + that first period I was ready for a night of nonstop pain. There was at least a break in the pain.

And for one night, I love the loser point.

by sprdelfin on Nov 25, 2009 11:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Let’s be thankful the Avs are still FIRST in the Northwest, THIRD in the Western Conference, and have TWICE as many WINS as losses. Now who amoung us could have predicted that?

GO CATS GO! UVM Hockey 2010!

by tele-mon on Nov 26, 2009 5:05 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

yeah. what the hell happened? :)

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 26, 2009 5:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Even without the wheels the bus is still sliding down hill?

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 26, 2009 8:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like the whole Western Conference's wheels have come off.

I blame Les Ailes and Boodaj.

A 2nd round rookie in the race for Calder? ORLY? Ya RLY!

by Drakenlot on Nov 26, 2009 12:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

how about...

that move + shot by Duchene at the end of regulation? Great stuff…and Rinne makes the save by waving at it with his stick in midair…poor Duchene, so close.

by thedoctor on Nov 26, 2009 8:41 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

that would have been just what duchene needed to bust out.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 26, 2009 1:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Not trying to re-open the debate or anything, I just thought this was a very interesting thought by AD in his blog about the game last night. Obviously I’m a DOB at least in part, but I still think it’s a fair question and something a lot of fans may wan to answer for themselves.

I wondered about this question on the way home: If Peter Budaj had allowed four or more goals in four of his last five starts, would I and others be hammering on him as the big reason why? Well, Andy has allowed four or more in four of his last five starts, but he’s tended to still get a pass.
Fair? Not fair? Honestly, I don’t think Andy was all that good or all that bad tonight. Let’s not forget he stopped two Predators breakaways, either one of which would have prevented his team from getting the cherished point.

I thin Dater’s answer to himself is a reason Andy gets a “pass”. And the fact that even I don’t have a complete melt down every time the other team has a break away. Andy comes up big in many of those “game changing” situations. Budaj, for what ever reason, has had problems….

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 26, 2009 8:46 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Andy gets a pass because people want to give him a pass. He’s the new, shiny goalie that everybody is still getting used to. Budaj has had similar strong runs like the one Andy enjoyed in October, but Boots’ were so long ago that nobody cares anymore.

I just don’t understand the inconsistency. For one goalie, everyone looks only to the positives. For the other, only to the negatives. Just pick one for both and stick with it.

Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.

by Joe Dunman on Nov 26, 2009 9:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh… I don’t know… maybe because Anderson does a lot of positives and Budaj does a lot of negatives? Call me crazy.

I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.

by Pinchy The Lobster on Nov 26, 2009 10:22 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

this

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 26, 2009 1:09 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering last night what is going on with Anderson. I mean he is a good goalie and all but there have been a ton of goals scored on him the last several games. We all know I love Budaj but let’s out that aside. Anderson has been ridden hard so far this season and I don’t think it would be unreasonable to give him a break. One game, two games tops?

An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.

by texacogirl on Nov 26, 2009 1:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing was wrong with Anderson during this game…the first two goals were entirely the fault of

1) The Avs failing to clear the puck…then Preds regaining while all the Avs headed out of the zone, and having 3 passing options. Not even Patrick Roy stops that PP goal

2) Liles standing with his thumb up his behind while the Preds pass right by him. Anderson’s reaction after goal two said it all, he started right at Liles and shrugged his shoulders like “WTF you doing?”

Then the D clamped down, and Anderson started doing what he always does…making the saves he should be saving…until the Weber goal, which was pretty bad (AKA thinking you have it while it’s trickling through your pads)

The reason Anderson gets a pass so far this year is that he makes the saves he should be saving. Budaj done that on a consistent basis since the ole 15-2-2, he is good for 1-2 softies a game. I can maybe count on one hand the number of “bad or soft” goals that Anderson has given up so far.

by chiavsfan on Nov 27, 2009 6:44 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

While I don’t disagree with you…
Anderson has not looked as sharp the last week or two as he previously had. He goes down too early, and teams are faking a shot to get him down, passing across the ice and then have an open net unless he makes a highlight reel save in getting across; it’s getting “predictable”. Edmonton and Nashville made plays like that quite a few times.

Andy is also laying on the ice when he goes down instead of standing tall in the net. If/When he gives up a rebound all the other team has to do is lift the puck on the next shot because Andy’s taking a nap. People complained Budaj got up too fast; Well Andy gets back up too slowly. Getting up slowly wouldn’t be such a bad thing because Andy seems to have good lateral movement, except that he is laying on the ice instead of keeping the body more up right. He’s leaving a lot of open net lately and the goals against could have been worse if a few guys hadn’t flat out missed the net.

And the goal in OT for the Predators, was pretty soft. Andy seems to be good for at least one bad/soft goal per game lately.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: It's like having a banana split while all the other kids are getting an ice cream cone.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 27, 2009 8:33 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

this

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 27, 2009 11:31 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree with you Americanario

and with Joe above.

Andy let’s in at least one soft goal a game, AS DO MOST GOALIES!

If you look at Andy’s stats for November and Boods stats for November of last year, Boods had a better November. In the 10 games Andy has played in November, he has “allowed” 36 goals. In the 12 games Boods played last November, he allowed 30 goals. 2 extra games for Boods, 6 less goals. And I think everyone is in agreement that the team this year is far, far better than last year. So, better number for Boods backing a worse team. And I am not even talking about the pathetic offensive goal support Boods had last year!!!! Andy can allow 3 or 4 goals in a game and have the game close, because the offense bails him out.

Maybe the truth is that neither Andy nor Boods is a bad goalie – maybe the team playing in front of them has been sucking donkey kong for years. Chi keeps saying Boods isn’t the same player as he was during that 15-2-2 run – I argue the team is a much worse team than that one. The Avs have been on a downward spiral since that time – don’t blame the goalies for that.

Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.

by hockeymom on Nov 27, 2009 4:25 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Utterly off topic but...

While cooking, I have the ’Hawks/Sharks game on and just heard the craziest stat: the last Blackhawk to score a hat trick against San Jose was TRAILER ARNASON!! (2002)

When asked how he felt about that, he replied:

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 26, 2009 2:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha, really? That’s kinda sad.

Sandie

by sandiegee on Nov 26, 2009 3:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

But kinda funny too.

This is a hockey board — You fuck with our Hejduk, and the spirit of Lappy is coming. =)-Jibbles

by gl avfan on Nov 26, 2009 3:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome card

Great job, Tariler!

Was going to fix that typo, but I like it as is.

by AHead on Nov 26, 2009 5:46 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

also, the wheels have fallen off in san jose

they just lost to the ‘Hawks 7-2. Looks like they’re about to be bottom dwellers with the Avs. (serious note, it made me feel better about the game which shall not be named.)

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 26, 2009 3:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs