Game 73 Preview: Kings at Avalanche
by Dustin Burfiend on Mar 24, 2010 9:00 AM MDT
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| Los Angeles Kings |
7 MT / 9 ET / 2 GMT |
Colorado Avalanche |
| 42-24-5 | March 24th, 2010 |
40-25-7 |
| 89 pts | Pepsi Center |
87 pts |
| 5th in West |
Denver, CO |
7th in West |
The Avalanche have gotten one point in their last three games and are 5-6-1 since the Olympic break. Most everything has been going wrong lately. The power play is back on the fritz, the penalty kill was awful last game, Craig Anderson is not playing bad but is not his usual beast of a self, Matt Duchene has hit a bit of a slump. And the defense. I think Kyle Cumiskey was the only defensemen I don't currently want to strangle. I don't think is really a must win for the Avs as far as making the playoffs, but it is an indicator of the character this team has. I am interested who will stand up and show leadership in a vitally important game like this. These are the types of games that will show us who will take over when Footer retires. The way Andy plays will also be interesting. Smyth was all over him last game, I hope he responds even if it ends with a penalty or two.
With a win, the Avs can tie Nashville and L.A. (moving ahead of Nashville and below L.A. due to games played) and get a slightly more comfortable playoff position. But L.A. is going to come like they did Monday. Ryan Smyth seems to have a thing for beating his old teams and Anze Kopitar's line seemed to dominate every time they were on the ice. But the Avs still took them to OT and they looked very beatable. The Avs just were not able to pull it together enough to win. Let's hope they do so tonight.
The Avs will be without the 'services' of Darcy Tucker tonight, who was suspended. Perhaps Marek Svatos will be in the lineup but I'd much prefer to see Stephane Yelle return. Ryan Wilson is still day to day but it's never a good idea to rush a concussion so with seven healthy (albiet shitty) defensemen, I doubt he'll be in tonight. So that leaves one other defensive scratch. My prediction is Ruslan Salei but it could also be John-Michael Liles again, or Kyle Quincey (what happend to you, Kyle? Remember when you were a BMF? Do you think, someday, maybe, you could be one again?)
In the end, I suppose we should just be happy that we can talk about the Avs playoff chances. Around this time last year, I was wieghing the pros and cons of Taveras, Hedman and Duchene...
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The crowd is probably gonna be small today after the blizzard. Greeat.
I call it... The Avaslug!
I am the 1st and probably only official member of the David "Dr." Jones fanclub. Until I get the newsletter out, anyway.
Syracuse Basketball 2010: Big East Champs!!! G'Orange!
downtown didn’t get hit hard, maybe 3 inches and it’s all cleared off the roads. I’m sure the local news will blow it all out of proportion.
Steve Moore’s last act as a hockey player was beating Matt Cooke’s ass, which makes him a great great person.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Mar 24, 2010 9:32 AM MDT up reply actions
News channels overblowing snow coverage? NEVER!
"Drugs are bad because if you do drugs you're a hippie and hippies suck." - Eric Cartman
My commute home last night wasn't overblown
Boulder was locked in. Left work at 6:30. Gave up getting out of Boulder after trying 4 ways at 7:30. Left Boulder again at 8:45. Hwys 36 and 93 were both closed. Took backroads east and managed to get home (about 9 miles away) at around 10.
Jibbles is an older man so you can trust what he says.
by Bob in Boulder on Mar 24, 2010 9:41 AM MDT up reply actions
Wow! I read this morning that there were something like 5000 stranded at the Denver airport too. Glad you got home okay!
damn Bob, that sux…… I’m fortunately able to take light rail, and am grateful for that every day like last night or today.
Same lines for the Kings tonight, Frolov is still shackled to the bench because he doesn’t “compete” or some shit, Kopitar’s awesome, Stastny’s awesome, should be a fun game.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Mar 24, 2010 10:01 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
See below on Bubs' situation
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 10:34 AM MDT up reply actions
Bubblegum would not say it was overblown
He got stuck at LAX for almost 5 hours (most of it actually sitting on the plane on the runway) before they finally canceled the flight at which time (9:30 pm) I drove back out to LAX (another 40 min of waiting) to pick him up. He’s now stuck here until this evening to try again.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 10:33 AM MDT up reply actions
Our new IT girl at the radio station is in total stripper heels today. Just thought I would toss that out there.
Anyway, just win Avs!
"Drugs are bad because if you do drugs you're a hippie and hippies suck." - Eric Cartman
sounds like a good omen to me
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 9:22 AM MDT up reply actions
She is, of course, denying it, but even the other women at the station are calling her on it. I don’t care one way or another, but it’s a nice distraction to the depressing news stories I have been reporting all day
"Drugs are bad because if you do drugs you're a hippie and hippies suck." - Eric Cartman
honestly...
Can’t a girl wear platforms containing live gold fish without being called a hooker these days??
09
it’s a travesty
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 9:51 AM MDT up reply actions
Apparently
Liles is the key to the power play. Honestly, Salei has to go this time and we need Liles back. I think Quincey played well. I can imagine him sitting.
Sacco also needs this team to relax. There were a handful of shifts against LA where we pinned them and played well.
Also, I think Galiardi has to go back up to the number 1 line.
Avalanche 2009-2010: Ostensibly, the worst team in the league. Realistically, more points than the Flames and Wings. But hey, your Corsi number is better.
Galiardi made an instant impact on that first line when we had the extra attacker… but I guess we all know how that story ended.
by onerightminus on Mar 24, 2010 10:05 AM MDT up reply actions
when was the last time the team won? This is almost getting to must win territory. I’m going to be watching Duchene tonight and see what kind of player he is under the gun.
Steve Moore’s last act as a hockey player was beating Matt Cooke’s ass, which makes him a great great person.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Mar 24, 2010 9:31 AM MDT reply actions
Chant for tonight
“Magic Number 20.” Or “4 point game.” The house will be on fire.
Jibbles is an older man so you can trust what he says.
Colorado goes up by 3 against Detroit, goalies are fighting but i can’t tell who they are, wait one is Osgood and he is laying on the ice laughing while a guy from the avalanche is punching him in the face with a big padded glove, he isn’t laughing anymore and is really getting his ass beat, another Avs goalie skates over and jumps on them, a really loud horn sounds and they stop, #57 from the Avs is kicked out of the game, Sean Avery is apparently with the Avs, the game is cancelled, I’m driving on a very dark highway in a big truck (the rest is irrelevant for this blog (but there were boobs involved))
Michigan Wolverines - 2010 CCHA Champions!
by Pinchy The Lobster on Mar 24, 2010 9:38 AM MDT reply actions
Just a small clip from a crazy dream I had this morning.
Michigan Wolverines - 2010 CCHA Champions!
by Pinchy The Lobster on Mar 24, 2010 10:08 AM MDT up reply actions
(the rest is irrelevant for this blog (but there were boobs involved))
Since when did that stop anyone before?
Not that I want to hear the details.
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Stationed in Canada for the Burgundy Army
I ran into Chris Durno yesterday afternoon at Cherry Creek Mall. I asked him why Quick was trying to fight him… and Durno confirmed that he was, in fact, trying to smash Quick’s face into the ice.
I kind of hope this develops further tonight… I had heard Andy was skating up the ice when Quick was trying to attack Durno.
I had a dream I ran into Chris Durno at the mall. The conversation sooooooo did not go that way….
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 10:38 AM MDT up reply actions
Something tells me either you ended up at his place or he ended up at yours.
MHH: The Burgundy Army is on the March!
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Mar 24, 2010 12:09 PM MDT up reply actions
After warmups at the Kings game
this is not surprising.
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 Mar 24, 2010 12:54 PM MDT up reply actions
no
no it’s not.
/hand check
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 1:15 PM MDT up reply actions
Hahahaha, no doubt.
Sandie
"We called him Clark Kent because away from the rink, he was just a nerd. Then he'd go into the Colorado dressing room and put on his Avs jersey, and all of a sudden he was Super Joe"- Theo Fleury
by Sandie Gauthier on Mar 24, 2010 1:33 PM MDT up reply actions
I heard the same about Andy
That would have been incredible.
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Stationed in Canada for the Burgundy Army
Did you really? That is amazing! But mostly because you were at Cherry Creek mall and I dream about the sandwiches they serve at Nordstrom’s Cafe.
by xskatebakerrx on Mar 24, 2010 12:02 PM MDT up reply actions
mmmmm
that place is SO yummy
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 12:05 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah… I work in the mall. We get the players in the store all the time. Wolski was all the time before he left… Andy is in every once in a while, Liles is in sometimes, Cumiskey has been in before. Salei was there acting like a grump one time….
Even Francois Giguere was in last week.
by onerightminus on Mar 24, 2010 12:41 PM MDT up reply actions
Even Francois Giguere was in last week.
Did he offer you a 4 year $6M contract???
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - On the upside, there's only 9 more (regular season) games of Darcy Tucker left!
better question. after he left, did you immediately try to get rid of everything he touched for way below value?
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions
hmmmmmm
maybe I should shun the teaching gig and go work there.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 1:16 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah I was thinking the same thing…
Although me spending prolonged amounts of time anywhere near Cherry Creek mall would be a baaad idea for me!
by xskatebakerrx on Mar 24, 2010 5:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Haha I know right?? I’ve been lurking forever but came out of hiding a couple weeks ago.
by onerightminus on Mar 24, 2010 5:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Andy would PUMMEL Quick without breaking a sweat.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions
Ryan Stoa
recalled. again.
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 10:45 AM MDT reply actions
RUNNING OUT OF RECALLLS
Avalanche 2009-2010: Ostensibly, the worst team in the league. Realistically, more points than the Flames and Wings. But hey, your Corsi number is better.
I'm glad
I like the kid. But that has to suck for him to keep going back and forth like that. As well as for Erie.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 10:46 AM MDT up reply actions
snow day!
good feelings for this game! well maybe thats just the free tickets talking. i will be there with the 20 or so other fans tonight.
i want a CONVINCING win tonight!!
Salei in, Liles out tonight
Coach Sacco said he wants Salei’s size and strength against a Kings team he says has a lot of "heavy" forwards.
This is exactly what I asked Moser about, thinking it was the reason Liles was scratched on Monday. Guess I was right. I think it’s a mistake. Clark should be out, IMO.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 12:12 PM MDT reply actions
Maybe Salei will redeem himself…but I agree for the Liles-Mueller Powerplay point chemistry alone, that JML should be in
"Drugs are bad because if you do drugs you're a hippie and hippies suck." - Eric Cartman
I’ve no problem with Salei being in. I think he just had a bad game. But the PP is going to suck again without JML, I suspect.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 12:27 PM MDT up reply actions
Sacco needs to get the F over himself!
For whatever reason, he doesn’t like Liles. Maybe Hotpocket didn’t laugh at his jokes, whatever.
But to play both Clark (who I agree, should be odd man out if for no other reason than his failfest of a PP performance on Monday) and Salei (who I do believe should get another shot as he’s been pretty good overall since his return from injury, Monday notwithstanding) over Liles and to piss away the obviously fantastic chemistry between Ferris and Hotpocket is inexcusable and frankly, worthy of something McHoodie would do with the Donkeys. This is hockey, we don’t run things based on hurt feelings. If Sacco doesn’t want to invite Hotpocket to his next backyard BBQ, fine. Who care’s anyway?
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - On the upside, there's only 9 more (regular season) games of Darcy Tucker left!
i completely agree with this. i dont really understand how salei would be better to have in the lineup. we were 0 for 6 on the power play and now im thinking we will probably have the same exact problem tonight. why wouldnt you put Liles in? we need our power play to work and i happen to think that we may have finally found something that works which we hadnt had all year long.
I want blood!
I went to both games in LA. I hate the Kings, and I especially hate their fans.
5-1 Avs tonight. Book it!
www.returnoftheghostbusters.com
<3
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 Mar 24, 2010 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions
I especially hate their bandwagon fans.
fixed, at least for me. The true hockey-first fans are actually quite cool.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 1:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Well sit in a section full of them, and you’ll hate them too!
I hate LA!
www.returnoftheghostbusters.com
I sit in sections full of them all the time. I live here. I am from LA/Orange County. My best friend is a Kings fan. My hockey team is full of Kings fans. People I went to high school with, people from clinics, even former Kings themselves. They are some of the best people I know. I’ll never hate them.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions
at this point, it can’t get much worse
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 1:22 PM MDT up reply actions
never say that. It can always get worse.
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
Lt. Cdr. Mary Sunshine
Present and accounted for!
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche - On the upside, there's only 9 more (regular season) games of Darcy Tucker left!
Seriously?
The fact that we’ve played like ass since the Olympics ended isn’t what is worrying you, but the uniforms we’re wearing?
A wise person once told me that a jersey is just a jersey but when put negative energy into it, then it becomes a negative entity. We could be wearing the old school Colorado Rockies unis tonight and it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference.
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 Mar 24, 2010 1:24 PM MDT up reply actions
That's true
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Stationed in Canada for the Burgundy Army
Completely OT epic rant
What really grinds my gears, is how people see a bag sitting on a chair, in front of a windows-locked computer, and think to themselves “I don’t think anyone’s sitting here”.
So they try logging in, and end up freezing the computer login due to getting MY username/password wrong too many times.
Even worse, was there was a completely open computer, right frakking next to mine!
Now, since I had to restart said computer, I’ve lost about a page of an essay that I didn’t think I’d need to save, because I assumed no one would be stupid/enough of a jerk to move my bag in order to use the computer.
My college has some really stupid people attending it.
/rant
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Stationed in Canada for the Burgundy Army
OUch
Hope you remember what you wrote.
Sandie
"We called him Clark Kent because away from the rink, he was just a nerd. Then he'd go into the Colorado dressing room and put on his Avs jersey, and all of a sudden he was Super Joe"- Theo Fleury
by Sandie Gauthier on Mar 24, 2010 1:37 PM MDT up reply actions
Canadians are so confused by technology!
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 1:40 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
I rec'd your post, David Driscoll-Carignan
…because the thought of a Canadian coming face to face with some technology, his head cocking ever-so-subtly sideways and whispering “Geez, eh?” under his breath is the funniest mental image I have had thusfar today.
Canadians and Technology
The Toronto video review ‘war room’? It’s actually two guys with a 9" CRT TV with giant bunny ears and two dice (for dueling between the different calls)
09
You forgot to mention
This is all inside of an igloo, and the electricity is run by exercise bike.
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Stationed in Canada for the Burgundy Army
Well, it's a good thing OO autosaves on crash
Seems like unplugging my usb key made Portable OO crash, and autosave.
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Stationed in Canada for the Burgundy Army
makes me feel better about poking fun at you and your ilk there. or is it elk?
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 2:27 PM MDT up reply actions
Ilk
Elk is an animal.
But I’m sure you’ve come across some people south of the 49th that are confused by how a mouse works.
2009-2010 Avs: Totally not about to win the Stanley Cup!
Stationed in Canada for the Burgundy Army
you know what they say about assuming….
that you’re a Flames fan looking at CORSI numbers
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 1:49 PM MDT up reply actions
but numbers don’t lie! except in statistics…. or higher math.. 2+2=5!
maybe an internet pipe froze and burst
Only for very large values of 2.
It's all fun and games until someone blows up Detroit.
by Busted Twigg on Mar 24, 2010 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions
Interesting.
For no reason, this software turned the text “H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” into a broken image link.
I wonder if it will do it again.
If you were the Kings,
wouldn’t you take a penalty any time an Av scoring chance materialized? We have to do something on the power play tonight. Also, I think the organization should just give away whatever seats aren’t sold tonight. I would be good to see a crowd at such a critical game. I get a little depressed every time I see all those empty seats. It’s the stretch run now, though, so I’m hoping the people will come out (I would, but I’m broke and at school).
Besting out the SoS jersey that I received about 35 minutes ago via UPS. Nice timing!
(Pardon the mugshot look)
"Drugs are bad because if you do drugs you're a hippie and hippies suck." - Eric Cartman
River City?
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 4:53 PM MDT up reply actions
very nice...
I just got my Duchene one the other day…and you SOOO look like the lead singer of my favorite band lol
THE BURGUNDY BRIGADE... because we can!!!
"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 Mar 24, 2010 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions
oh and...
my new icon is my gf wearing my new duchene jersey lol
THE BURGUNDY BRIGADE... because we can!!!
"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 Mar 24, 2010 5:41 PM MDT up reply actions
Which band??
"Drugs are bad because if you do drugs you're a hippie and hippies suck." - Eric Cartman
Hanson
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 5:55 PM MDT up reply actions
HURT
they arent to known
THE BURGUNDY BRIGADE... because we can!!!
"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 Mar 24, 2010 6:16 PM MDT up reply actions
him...
THE BURGUNDY BRIGADE... because we can!!!
"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 Mar 24, 2010 6:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Trying to get comfy in the hotel…here for a week, looks like I got a place in RALEIGHWOOD!!!
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
Dear Canucks
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
bold statement from a fan of the worst team in hockey
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 5:55 PM MDT up reply actions
Who’s team still has MORE cups than Vancouver…hell, more trips to the finals too…
"It comes from motivation within" - Matt Hendricks
Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.
BURGUNDY ARMY...BLEEDING BURGUNDY UNTIL I DIE!!!
even so, I’d probably stow that in the closet until next year
Assistant *to* the Managing Editor, Mile High Hockey
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Mar 24, 2010 6:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Yup.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: More than just luck
by Cheryl Bradley on Mar 24, 2010 10:59 PM MDT up reply actions
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