Game 42 Preview: Avalanche at Red Wings
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 10:00 AM MST
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| Colorado Avalanche |
5 MT / 7 ET / 12 GMT |
Detroit Red Wings |
| 23-12-6 | December 31st, 2009 |
19-14-6 |
| 52 pts | Joe Louis Arena |
44 pts |
| 3rd in West |
Detroit, MI |
10th in West |
At the start of the season, the Colorado Avalanche were expected to go nowhere while the Detroit Red Wings were retooling for yet another deep playoff run. Just about four months later, the tables have turned a little bit. Okay, they've turned quite a bit - to the point that you could actually call this a trap game for the Avalanche.
Simply put, the Wings are a bit of a mess. They have a boatload of injuries (Franzen, Zetterberg, Lilja, Cleary, Kronwall, Williams). Their 2nd leading goal-scorer is a washed-up Todd Bertuzzi, which may explain why they've been shut out 3 times in the last 4 games (the big oaf is actually the only one scoring lately, with 10 points in the last 10 games). Detroit's PP has scored just 1 goal in the last 8 games (3.6%) and they are one of the lowest scoring EV strength teams in the NHL (the Avs have 81 EV 5-on-5 goals to Detroit's 60). Blissful. Meanwhile, the Avalanche finished the first half with the 3rd most wins (23) since the team moved to Denver. How about those apples, Gilmour?
Okay, enough with the blatant attempt to get the panties of the Abel to Ysebaert folks in a bunch. The Avalanche need a lot more of the stuff they've been doing in the first 40 minutes of hockey games and a lot less of what they've been doing in the last 20. I really can't determine just what the hell happens to this team with a lead. It doesn't looks like they are doing anything different, but there has to be some reasonable explanation as to why Alexai Kovalev transformed from dud to superstar in the final 15 minutes of last night's game, right? And it's kind of hard to poke fun at the Wing's lame-ass power play when the Avs are 0-for-their-last-13 (both teams are an identical 28 for 159 on the season).
Presumably, Craig Anderson will get the start again tonight, as he's only missed one of the Avs' back-to-back games this year (thanks Keith Ballard!). The Avalanche are 6-1-1 in the first back-to-back game and 3-3-1 in the second. They've struggled lately in the 2nd games, though (0-3-1 in the last 4) and (sarcasm alert) I'm sure goalie fatigue has nothing to do with it. Jimmy Howard starts for the Wings.
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Look at that record…52 points. The Avalanche hit the half way mark in their season having played their 41st game. That means that this team is on pace for 104 points. That sure would be a nice improvement over last season.
by c0nquistad0rian on Dec 31, 2009 10:02 AM MST reply actions
We can still get Taylor Hall with 104 points? Right? Everyone said we’d get him.
Money is the root of all evil... Send $19.95 for more info.... Oh, and screw the Wings.
by i2strange97 on Dec 31, 2009 10:08 AM MST up reply actions
I’ve been watching him- and man is that kid good. Really good.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 10:43 AM MST up reply actions
How many points did the Avalanche have at the end of last year? I forgot.
by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 10:09 AM MST reply actions
Wasn’t last year the second lockout? I don’t remember any hockey.
Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.
by Rather Dashing on Dec 31, 2009 10:13 AM MST up reply actions
heh.
the non-joke answer is 69
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 11:01 AM MST up reply actions
Is Budaj really that bad that Sacco will have to play Anderson tonight? If last night’s game had been an easy one maybe it would not have been that big of a deal. But he had to work so hard. Budaj seems to do really well. Why can’t he play tonight instead?
by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 10:26 AM MST reply actions
I don’t mind another Andy start tonight, he single handedly beat the WIngs earlier this season (48 saves in one game),
…anyone else going to the game cuz I am!!!
by Avalanche318 on Dec 31, 2009 10:29 AM MST up reply actions
Is Budaj really that bad that Sacco will have to play Anderson tonight?
Stats for Budaj in December: 1.32 GAA, .957 SA%
State for Andy in December: 3.09 GAA, .900 SA%
I don’t think Sacco’s not playing Boods has anything to do with him being “that bad,” that Andy “has to play.”
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
I didn’t think so, but I thought I’d ask. It always looked to me like Budaj did a great job.
by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 1:18 PM MST up reply actions
theres a song? sweet jesus somebody post this!
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Dec 31, 2009 10:37 AM MST up reply actions
god bless america
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Dec 31, 2009 10:57 AM MST up reply actions
Hey Doc
I left the game thread right after it started last night, but I came back and saw that you’d asked about the quote in my sig. If you didn’t see the response, you can hear Tommy Jackson telling this to the camera in this video. It’s really an entertaining video from days gone by.
"I intend to kick your ass today." - Denver Broncos legend Tom Jackson
Um. Maybe my sarcasm meter isn't working but...
Are the Wings really 10th in the east? Did I miss something?
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
we dont want detroit anywhere near our conference… scum…. ps are we cool again or am i still hated by the female gender?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Dec 31, 2009 10:48 AM MST up reply actions
We’re cool, I never hated you! You totally made the end of my shift fly by last night!! thanks!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
haha good to hear! i didnt know you killed people via shovel in shifts…..
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Dec 31, 2009 10:54 AM MST up reply actions
lol
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
good rule of thumb: if it’s in that little preview box and it’s wrong, it’s a typo. that thing completely owns me for some reason
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 11:03 AM MST up reply actions
I don't know that it's fair to blame goalie fatigue.
It hasn’t mattered which guy played in the last four games.
The scores and goalie for the second game of back-to-backs
Dec 22 Ana- 4-2 loss Andy
Dec 3- Pit 4-1 loss Boods
Nov 28 Min 3-2 loss SO- andy
Nov 18 Edm- 6-4 loss- Boods
Perhaps the problem isn’t the goalies. Maybe it’s the whole “young team” thing and that they haven’t been able to figure things out yet. I think it may also be worth mentioning that all of these back-to-backs involved travel. None were in the same city as the night before. That may have something to do with it.
Either way it’s something they really need to work on as a team.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 10:53 AM MST reply actions
We had to play Detroit on the end of a back to back earlier this year…
by Avalanche318 on Dec 31, 2009 11:00 AM MST up reply actions
I didn’t save the stat and I conveniently left it out of the above post, but Andy’s stats in the 2nd games of a b2b are actually really good – I want to say the save percentage was something like 940
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 11:07 AM MST reply actions
It’s an Andy a go-go
Denver Post reporting Anderson in net
If this is a re-build...we should do it every year.
shocking, but true
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 11:33 AM MST up reply actions
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
So I was having this debate over at Purple Row about rivalaries
and whether the Wings and the Avs is still a rivalry. I say that it is..
What do you all think?
Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.
Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
Troy Tulowitzki-MLB's BEST shortstop..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba- Re-sign!! he's en Fuego!!
Brad Hawpe- I hope I get to see you in a Rockies uniform again!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, leaping Utleys in a single bound!
it is.
maybe not so much for the players, but it definitely is for the fans
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 12:45 PM MST up reply actions
It very, very much is.
The fans loathe each other.
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
by A.J. Haefele on Dec 31, 2009 2:34 PM MST up reply actions
So the big question of the day (again) is which D-man will sit? What do you guys think? Hopefully Clark, I’d say.
Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.
by Rather Dashing on Dec 31, 2009 12:43 PM MST reply actions
what’s the status of Clark? that looked like quite a nasty cut he got last night from that puck
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 12:46 PM MST up reply actions
Well, since he came back last night, I would assume he’d be available to play today.
Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.
by Rather Dashing on Dec 31, 2009 2:33 PM MST up reply actions
Happy New Year!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
HAMBONE HAMBONE HAMBONE YEAH
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
Won’t be joining the thread tonight. BOught myself a nice 10 year old Porto, beautiful cheeses. Will be having crepes, and chocolate fondue while watching the Avs game, and the world juniors.
Hope everyone is safe tonight! Cheers and a Happy New Year!
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 3:27 PM MST reply actions
Yum! That sounds wonderful! I will be out with the girls, having some martinis and dancing at this fun new club. Taxi home of course! Cheers and Happy New Year to you too!
by Stefka.Kostadinova on Dec 31, 2009 3:31 PM MST up reply actions
Ooh!!!
Sounds fun,
Sandie, I’m crashing your party,
Then… Stefka, Where should I meet you?
In reality, I’m headed home from work to watch some hockey, make dinner, do some dishes and then prob to bed before 9. I know, I suck. ;-) or do I?
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
Hahaha
I’m never in bed before nine. In fact I’m usually chatting with Bubblegum until one or two..
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 3:37 PM MST up reply actions
haha
I remember those days, back in my 20’s I’m in the 30’s club now ya know. And I have to get up at 5. And thats if I don’t work out b4 work.
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
Oh, I usually get about 4 hours of sleep a night. If I’m lucky.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 3:39 PM MST up reply actions
Yeah, I used to be able to do that.
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
I remember the year I averaged 3 hrs of sleep a night during college.
Classes from 6-12:00
Practice from 1-5:00
Work from 5:30-1:00
Time with girlfriend from 1:00 till she fell asleep…then went home to sleep a couple hours.
Still not sure how I survived that year.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 31, 2009 9:58 PM MST up reply actions
Sounds like it's been a shopping day.
Beachie says that she just got back from buying a killer new dress that barely covers her ass and with her 4 inch heels makes her legs look like they come up to her chin.
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
by gl avfan on Dec 31, 2009 3:36 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
The Ice Girls have nothing on her, but since she can’t post, you’ll just have to take her word for it!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
Haha, well speaking of shoes, I have some nice new ones too. They are 4 1/2 inches leopard print, spike, peep toes. I love them :)
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 3:40 PM MST up reply actions
Sweet!!!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
fyi, I’m the perv who rec’d that. :)
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 4:00 PM MST up reply actions
At least you’re honest.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 4:03 PM MST up reply actions
by the way... Beachie Says...
She loves the fact that you appreciate her "ass"ets and she doesn’t find it pervish in the least!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
If only we could see a picture ;(
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 31, 2009 9:59 PM MST up reply actions
Yeah, I won’t be pairing it with the skirt that barely covers my ass though, at least not tonight.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 4:03 PM MST up reply actions
DUDE!
Who is this Beachie chick and how can I score an intro??
You guys are fuckin hilarious. Good times, good times.
My uncle Scooby's got more moves than a Russian chess player.
She used to be a member/poster here, but she deleted a bunch of accounts due to fears that her “internet life” could cause issue with a job she’s trying to get.
As for the Intro, unless she moves to Denver (part of the job she’s trying to get I think), you’d have to travel to SoCal to meet her, or maybe wait until next years Frozen Fury in Las Vegas (where I first met her).
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 31, 2009 10:02 PM MST up reply actions
She’s in SoCal?? Seriously?? Right on! I live in San Diego. In Denver with fam until Jan 15. Sweet. Tell her to IM/email me at scrappy.doo2 at yahoo dot com. We can chat and then just hang out and stuff if she wants. I’m chill. Surf, go to school (marine bio), work, the usual.
My uncle Scooby's got more moves than a Russian chess player.
She’s probably reading this anyway, so I’m sure she’ll IM/email you if she desires. I’m not actually in contact with her, though I probably could be. Still have to pass gl’s smell test first…if she deems you worthy, I’m sure she’ll be happy to help you along.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
lol
That funny that you’re in San Diego!!
tell you what, Canary is right about my smell test.
E-mail me at gl_avfan at gmail dot com and I’ll talk to her and pass on your info if she wants me to.
She is a fun chick and you seem like a chill guy so who knows!!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
Right on. That’s totally chill. Means she’s got cool friends. I dig that. Just send her my way if I pass the test and she’s down!
I might even hang out around here a bit if you dudes don’t mind. Don’t really know much about hockey but looking around this whole SB Nation thing and most of the people are pretty lame. Like I said before you got some serious jokes goin on. Gotta pass the time somehow at the peeps – total snooze fest.
My uncle Scooby's got more moves than a Russian chess player.
lol!!
Welcome!!
I’ll check for your e-mail!
Please hang and learn about the greatest team on earth!
we’re a pretty fun group here.
But then again, I’m just a fan girl!!!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
Tell me why she should want to meet you and I’ll think about setting up an intro.
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
This.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 1, 2010 3:34 PM MST up reply actions
I won’t be here either, I’m spending New years at my usual haunt, the Mercury Cafe.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
I also will be absent. We’ve got a bunch of friends coming over. None of them are hockey people, so we’ll be getting drunk and playing SingStar instead of watching the Avs beat up on the Wings. oh well.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 31, 2009 4:02 PM MST up reply actions
So is anyone here actually WATCHING the game?
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Dec 31, 2009 4:35 PM MST up reply actions
raises hand
Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.
by Rather Dashing on Dec 31, 2009 4:54 PM MST up reply actions
I am watching it, just not joining the boards.
Sandie
"That’s the way we’ll win championships"- The Baron
by Sandie Gauthier on Dec 31, 2009 4:55 PM MST up reply actions
so Liles sits again
not watching the game, watching USA vs Canada WJC
but i saw in the stats sheet that Liles sat again, he is defiantly in Sacco’s doghouse and i think he is going to be traded any rumors on where he might go or what kind of return we could get for him?
Dude!!
Beachie?
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
I don’t think Beachie would joke about trading Liles…alter ego or not.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
true true!!
But you never know, she’s kinda devious!!
"You mess with our Hejduk and the Spirit of Lappy is coming!"-Jibbles
MHH- The Haiku capital of AvsNation.
Kinda?
Her halo is only held up by the horns.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
I’m getting the impression that this is quite true! But in a very endearing way of course. = )
by Stefka.Kostadinova on Jan 1, 2010 9:19 PM MST up reply actions
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