The Avs’ last home game of the year – Tuesday in San Jose. If Detroit loses on Monday, San Jose would officially lock up the #1 seed with a win against the Avs.

Strike that…reverse it. The Sharks game is the last ROAD game of the year. The final three are at the Can.

I’m not saying anything…just saying…

:)

Ties are back? Holy crap!

Wait, if that’s an April Fool’s joke your about 5 days too late.

Or did the Avs actually look fairly competent last night?

Since when did we enter Bizarro-Bizarro-World?

Yes, the Avalanche have had 10 players make their debut this year. Unfortunately, only 2 of them (Stewart and Galiardi) have yet to record their first NHL point.

Shouldn’t that read, “only 2 of them (Stewart and Galiardi) have recorded their first NHL point.”

Or, “all but 2 of them (Stewart and Galiardi) have yet to record their first NHL point.”

Let’s give DDC some slack…it was a long night. And it’s been an even LONGER season.

But any reason why we didn’t seem to have a goalie for the third period?

It’s terribe; it horrible: I actually enjoyed watching the game! Yes, and even worse: I found myself cheering FOR them to win. I know, I am a rotten, no-good fan, and you can blame me that the Avs won’t be getting Hedman. It sucks that I have to feel so conflicted when they win.

For the young guns called up from Lake Erie, most of whom have been working their tails off, it was nice that they finally got a win. I felt they deserved it last night. Many of these guys will probably be back next year. Part of the learning experience is to look at the mistakes made in previous games and correct those mistakes. I thought they played a solid game and deserved the payoff of a win. So, sue me!

I am hoping that Budaj has finally figured out that somewhere in the middle of strictly unorthodox play or technique to a “T” is where he needs to play: balance between the two.

Okay, so now back to losing guys!

haven’t had one of these in a while, so in honor of the Avs not sucking, I’ll bust it out again:

• Sucks a bit to drop in the tank “race,” but I’m still glad they won after an effort like that. Everyone was trying (even Tucker), Budaj was finally rewarded for a solid effort, and no Arny actually showed the improvement we’ve all expected.

• I really feel a little bad for Hensick because the comparisons are unfair. With that said, Galiardi already belongs in a way Hensick never has. I think we need some pro-con analysis!

• Hensick Pros: Speed, skill with the puck, good vision and passing
• Hensick Cons: Size, strength on skates, average shot at best, poor play without the puck, poor defense, little evident passion
• Galiardi Pros: Decent size, skill with the puck, plays game with passion, good shot, works hard without puck, strong on skates
• Galiardi Cons: Inexperienced, hasn’t shown much vision or passing yet, poor defense, average speed

• Based on that, I’m seeing a problem for Hensick making this team next year unless he really ups his game. The biggest issue he has is that with the reduced space in the NHL, his lack of strength on the puck is killing him. Small guys in the NHL HAVE to have that ability, and I’m not seeing it from him. I’m not sure it’s something you develop at this point in your career either.

• What Hensick CAN fix is his play without the puck. More effort away from the puck, more going to the net, and harder work on D. He does that, and there’s a place for him on the team no matter the strength on skates issue.

• It’s easy to see why Macias was drafted. That dude can skate. Potential as a late bloomer if his defense ever catches up.

• So let’s assume we get Duchene now (I don’t see us catching the TBL). What’s the forward lineup look like next year if he’s ready to make the jump? (Note: I’m not seeing Lappy re-signed at this point).

Smyth – Stastny – Hejduk
Duchene – Wolski – Stewart
Jones – Galiardi – Svatos
McLeod – Guite – Hensick

McCormick

That’s an…odd lineup, I guess. Svatos is probably gone at the draft (for a goalie?) though.

This is what happens when you stare directly at the unipron:

Do NOT stare directly into the unipron

I need to save this photo. I love the fan with her head in her hands

I spent way too long trying to figure out what the line chart said, before realizing it was a line chart and not some sort of coded block message.

Sigh.

Peltier, MacKenzie, Macias, O’Neill — all seem like pretty much standard AHL defensemen. Flawed in some critical way which they probably won’t overcome.

Vernace though, he seems pretty decent and well-rounded. I could see him being the 6th or 7th D next year.