Are the players starting to tune out Joe Sacco?

I hope not, but the Avs as a team are not responding to the same old problems - ie. sitting on leads, not clearing the puck, lack of jump for 60 minutes, not clearing the puck, letting people wave their asses in Andy's face without being moved on and did I mention not clearing the goddamn puck?

I have seen far too many bad passes and lack of aggression in this team of late. Road game against the Kings was a classic example - dump the puck in, chase it, only to get muscled off the puck for an outlet pass and a real scoring chance down the other end. I saw this happen so many times it's just not funny.

I know injuries to Yip, Jones and Wilson have all taken their toll, but tbh, every team out there has injuries. Not all of them play like the puck is made out of kryptonite and they are Superman.

Some of the defensive failures are flat out awful. Standing around whilst the other team are taking shot after rebound shot unopposed. Yeah Quincey, I'm looking at you...and you, Hannan.

Whilst I will be the first to admit it, I am absolutely delighted with the Avs' young guns and feel that things are looking very bright for the future, I am disappointed that problems that were written off as youthful inexperience are not being addressed or solved, so late in the season.

At the beginning of the season, I would have bitten your hand off if you offered me this position in the standings, but by their own high standards, the Avs have let themselves down recently and I really don't want to eat the crow that so many critics are convinced is coming the Avs' way.