Game 51 Preview: Stars @ Avalanche, 8pm EST, 6pm MST
by Derek B on Jan 24, 2010 5:16 AM MST
96 comments
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| Dallas Stars |
6 MT / 8 ET / 1 GMT |
Colorado Avalanche |
| 22-18-11 | January 24th, 2010 |
29-15-6 |
| 55 pts | Pepsi Center |
64 pts |
| 10th in West |
Denver, CO |
3rd in West |
The Dallas Stars make there way into the Pepsi Center today to take on the Northwest Division leading Colorado Avalanche.
Dallas is coming off a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night. While Colorado is coming off a hard fought 2-1 win over Nashville, it was the Avs 5th win in a row.
What's on the line?
For Colorado, they are going for their first six game winning streak since February 2008. This is a big game for Colorado because it will not only increase their NW division lead, but go that much further to proving that this team is a legitimate playoff contender.
For Dallas, this is a team that is struggling to find it's identity under new coach Marc Crawford. You may remember him from such incidents as the Steve Moore incident in Vancouver, and oh yeah the Avs 1996 Stanley Cup championship.
Dallas is coming off a season where they also did not qualify for the playoffs. However, they are also only two seasons removed from an appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
The Avs are coming into this game on the highest of highs. The Stars, not so much. Up until their last game, the Stars had lost their previous 10 road games. With Colorado sporting one of the best home records in the League at 14-6-2, and Dallas sporting a sub .500 road record, things seem like they would be lined up for an Avs victory.
Let's not be so quick to dismiss this Dallas team though. Over the last several years the Stars and Avs have had one of the more heated rivalries in the NHL, yeah it's not Wings/Avs but don't kid yourself, these two teams do not like each other. Not one bit. I suppose meeting in the playoffs 4 of the last 10 years will go a long way toward building a rivalry.
Dallas is working to get itself back into the Western Conference playoff playoff picture. Had it not been for an almost miracle goal by Jamie Benn against the Oil on Friday night, they might not have escaped Edmonton with a win. Making for an even more difficult trip into Denver, the Stars are dealing with some injuries. Tom Wandell and Brendan Morrow are day-to-day with various injuries. Mike Ribero and Jere Lehtinen are on injured reserve with long term injuries. Colorado will be without Marek Svatos, Ryan WIlson, Adam Foote, Ruslan Salei, David Jones, and Milan Hejduk who are all on injured reserve.
Derek's Prediction:
With Colorado coming off a smash mouth victory over the Nashville Predators, I am calling for a 5-2 win over the Stars. Dallas is having issues finding confidence in their goaltender as they have been flip flopping between Alex Auld and Marty Turco. My guess is that the starting goalie matchup will be be Craig Anderson vs. Marty Turco.
For Dallas' view on this game check out Defending Big D.
For complete coverage check out Stars vs Avalanche coverage.
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STATS |  |
| 51 | GP | 50 |
| 22 | W | 29 |
| 18 | L | 15 |
| 11 | OT | 6 |
| 55 | P | 64 |
| 0.539 | P% | 0.640 |
| 2.84 | G/G | 2.88 |
| 3.08 | GA/G | 2.62 |
| 18.9 | PP% | 18.0 |
| 76.4 | PK% | 81.4 |
| 31.6 | S/G | 26.4 |
| 30.1 | SA/G | 32.3 |
| 47.5 | FO% | 47.2 |
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Derek’s just trying to follow the not-so-high editorial standards established here. fixed.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 24, 2010 7:24 AM MST up reply actions
I don’t hate Dallas cause of all the Avs meetings with them in the playoffs. I hate them cause they once employed Brett Hole…. Oh, and cause they’re from Texas. Ewwww
meh
by Jimmy_the_scumbag on Jan 24, 2010 5:29 AM MST reply actions
Once?
Twice. Remember the Brett Hull/Les Jackson co-GM experiment that ended last season?
I hate the Red Wings.
man you guys are picky!
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 8:53 AM MST up reply actions
I thought I put the game time in the title of the preview.
MHH: A Colorado Avalanche Fan Community
Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.
I like it when my Sunday game preview comes with coffee and a danish. Ohh, and hot face towels. Might think about this next time. Just sayin’.
I want coffee. And a danish. And a hot face towel. Hell, I’d even settle for hot water, a stale donut and a warm paper towel. Coming home from business trips suck.
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 9:08 AM MST up reply actions
fun stat
With a victory tonight, the Avs would reach 30 wins in the fewest number of games (51) since the 2000-01 Stanley Cup championship team did it in 47 games. In fact, this would be the third-fastest Avalanche team to 30 wins, trailing only the 2000-01 and 1996-97 (50 games) squads. Colorado’s 29-15-6 record (64 points) is the club’s best mark through 50 games since 2003-04 (29-11-8-2, 68 pts).
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 24, 2010 9:26 AM MST reply actions
another one
Dallas has never lost in overtime/shootout to Colorado since April 2, 2000, the longest streak against any Western Conference opponent. The Stars are 6-0-4 in overtime games against Colorado since 4/2/00.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 24, 2010 9:29 AM MST up reply actions
Not so fun
Way to ruin the tingle.
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 9:31 AM MST up reply actions
That is a very fun fact
and makes me tingly all over!
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 9:29 AM MST up reply actions
Ahem… Derek, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are all a little concerned with where your allegiances lay. Defending Big D, or MHH. How do we know you’re not a double agent. Well, I took is upon myself to do some investigating.
Here is a tiny clip from your preview at Defending Big D. I think we deserve an explanation and I’m sure Joe is waiting on the resignation letter.
“Dallas MUST crush the Avs! Destroy them! Prediction: 6-0 Dallas. MUHAHAHAHA”.
Sorry, guys, I might still be a little ‘loopy’ from last night. Anyhow Derek, great job here with the preview. I’d imagine it feels WAY better to write for the Avs than the Stars.
I am fully committed to MHH. :-)
I am sure he put that in there as a little friendly jab at me.
MHH: A Colorado Avalanche Fan Community
Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.
I do miss the Dallas/Colorado rivalry
It was really fun when we won 2 cups and they “won” 1 themselves. Oh wait….
Avalanche 2009-2010: Ostensibly, the worst team in the league. Realistically, top of the NW division.
I wouldn't mind a 3 point game tonight
(with the Avs winning of course). I’d really like to see Dallas jump past both Les Ailes and The Flaming C’s to grab the 8 spot in the west.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 24, 2010 9:56 AM MST reply actions
hmmmmm, when u put it that way….
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 10:04 AM MST up reply actions
My C was burning so I phadouched it out and then dropped a bertuzzi in detoilet.
I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Jan 24, 2010 11:46 AM MST up reply actions
That just sounds painful.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off the bus yet?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jan 24, 2010 1:56 PM MST up reply actions
whatever happened to that brustrom kid? so much promise (a hat trick in his first game i believe) and then nothing, nadda, zippo…
and i just hate mike modano…
GO AVS!
'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!'
please call him out after they play the Avs, not before.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off the bus yet?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jan 24, 2010 1:57 PM MST up reply actions
NERVES!!!!!
If I survive the AFC title game (aka, to see something I have NEVER seen in my life…my J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS in the Super Bowl)…then we get a chance to see something we haven’t seen in almost 2 calender years tonight…
If we win this one…it’s going to be a while before we lose, because this has TRAP written all over it.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
Good luck versus the Colts. Maybe Manning gets the flu or something.
Hopefully #9 is not ten less than #19
Nah, Reggie Wayne’s about to get lost on Revis Island.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
So I apologize for the minor errors in the post, I was doing the post last night at the bar on my iPhone. :-)
MHH: A Colorado Avalanche Fan Community
Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.
not gunna lie..that is pretty awesome
amazing how some of our best ideas come at a local pop establisment, on the mini golf course..you know the places
thank jeebus for the iphones notepad..or our ideas would be lost..
'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!'
Does anyone else find it interesting that there aren’t a lot of articles around the NHL blogosphere anymore about how surprising the Avs’ success is? I think a quiet acceptance has occurred…or everyone’s mouth is too full of crow.
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
Weird Question
After reading a story in the Denver Post on Stoa (Pretty run of the mill stuff. Doesn’t really need a fanshot) call up players rarely have a car. Which got me thinking, who drives him around before and after games? Does he bum a ride from a teammate or is there an Avs personnel guy to drive him? Does he have to take cabs all the time?
Anybody know?
Hopefully #9 is not ten less than #19
Answer from AD
rides from teammates, cabs
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
his age would make this necessary. Hendricks or others over 25 would be able to rent a car.
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 3:07 PM MST up reply actions
oh yeah
I guess I could have just e-mailed Dater. Ah well, this was the lazy way.
Hopefully #9 is not ten less than #19
That’s why I tweeted him. lol
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
Naw just have to give them 20cents for the cab ride…
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off the bus yet?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jan 24, 2010 3:06 PM MST up reply actions
Don’t you have to be a “star” to ride for free?
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off the bus yet?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jan 24, 2010 3:07 PM MST up reply actions
sigh it was a good game. Thanks Colts.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
No, they’ve quit.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
I’m sure my Bro is having a good day. He’s become a Colts fan since they drafted Collie.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off the bus yet?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jan 24, 2010 3:46 PM MST up reply actions
I’m not gonna bother with the NFC game, because I know the fix has been called in on that one.
NFL’s gonna get their dream matchup… Peyton vs. Favre
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
I hope you are right. SKOL VIKINGS.
There are two ways of being happy: We must either diminish our wants or augment our means - either may do - the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.
- Benjamin Franklin
GEAUX SAINTS
I don’t want that pathetic pile of crap to go for a ring and feed his drunk ass ego.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
I want the Vikes in the Superbowl
So they can choke hard, Favre can cry himself to sleep and the Vikings will take their rightful place as the team with the most superbowl losses! :D
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 4:19 PM MST up reply actions
ROFL…ya know, I didn’t think of it that way…lol
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
This. Favre can suck a turd for all I care.
Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.
by Rather Dashing on Jan 24, 2010 4:33 PM MST up reply actions
The way I see it...
27 other teams had as much playing time today as I did…NONE.
I think I can live with that.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
Think of it this way...
now you have more energy to focus on the Avs!
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 4:14 PM MST up reply actions
Colts Win=
A happy JML= A Happy Beachie + well played game by Liles = Avalanche victory vs Stars= 6 game win streak= very happy Avalanche fans.
Thank You Colts!
"What do the Detroit Red Wings and the Titanic have in common?
They both look good until they hit the ice!"
Visit> http://www.bronxbaseballdaily.com/
by SportsDalaiLama on Jan 24, 2010 4:26 PM MST reply actions
there is that.
"I think you should win if you have a two-goal lead. When you stop playing and stop working hard, that's when the other team is going to be all over you the whole time." - Peter Forsberg
by NurseBeachie on Jan 24, 2010 4:32 PM MST up reply actions
LOL KRIS ALLEN CAN’T STAY ON KEY HAHAHA
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
He went through 3 different keys in the first two lines before finally leveling out.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 4:43 PM MST up reply actions
I’m telling you guys, that 4 letter fascist network put in the fix.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
wat
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 4:46 PM MST up reply actions
You know, ESPN just put the call in to the NFL for Farve vs. Peyton…
Colts/Jets are legit, but I’ll bet right now, the Saints lose..it’s rigged.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
If you say so
The Eastern Seaboard Pansy Network has been sucking so much Jets cock the last few weeks I have trouble believing that.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 4:51 PM MST up reply actions
They have? Really?
Every time I was turning there
“Jets don’t belong on the same field as the Colts”
“Jets won’t score a touchdown vs. the Colts”
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
I have no idea what media outlets YOU were watching.
Because all I was seeing was Revis, Sanchez and Braylon Edwards (really?) getting praised and talked about how they were going to pull the upset.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 4:56 PM MST up reply actions
Colin Cow-turd
ESPN News
NFL GameDay
SportsCenter
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
Well I’ve been at Yahoo sports and ESPN.com.
I don’t do TV.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 4:58 PM MST up reply actions
There in lies the problem…lol
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
Also, Sports Illustrated was all over the Jetcock as well.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 5:00 PM MST up reply actions
Of course, Peter King is a diehard Jets fan.
Didn’t think that was much of a secret.
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
and 80% of the people who write for ESPN are east coast bias.
That’s no secret either.
I think the only pro-Colts person I saw this week was Pete freakin’ Prisco.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
by UZ on Jan 24, 2010 5:03 PM MST up reply actions
Well, at least Saints-Viqueens is looking to be an exciting shootout!
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
AARIN MEIBIN IS TEH SUZZORZ, am I right?
Screw Favre.
Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.
by Rather Dashing on Jan 24, 2010 5:05 PM MST up reply actions
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