Predators at Avalanche Recap: Avalanche miss first period, drop game 4-1
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 10, 2012 11:12 PM MST
in Avalanche Recaps
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Apparently someone forgot to tell the members of the Colorado Avalanche that the game started at 7:00 pm. And unfortunately, that first period made all the difference in the world. The team came out flat, and like last game against the Blues, the Nashville Predators walked all over the Avs.
Just over four minutes into the game, the Avalanche were completely outworked behind their own net, and the defensive pair of Stefan Elliott and Matt Hunwick had a total breakdown, leaving Nick Spaling all alone out in front. He put Nashville on the board with assists from Gabriel Bourque and Jordin Tootoo. Just a few minutes later, TJ Galiardi was called for tripping, and the Preds capitalized. Ryan Ellis got off a shot from the point from which Daniel Winnik shied away rather than blocking. That nifty little moved got him some pine time while Milan Hejduk double-shifted to replace him. With less than five minutes left, Ryan Suter sent a beauty of a pass from the Nashville blueline to Mike Fisher just as he was entering the Avs' blueline. Fisher passed it up to Martin Erat who scored the third goal of the period.
The Avalanche relieved the B-team for the second and came out like gangbusters. They completely dominated the Predators, outshooting them 18 to 6. Early into the period, the Avalanche went on the power play as Tootoo was called for running Semyon Varlamov. Although the penalty expired without a goal, it was a good power play as the Avalanche controlled the puck for nearly the entire time. They had some good chances, and the hard work sparked a series of strong, impressive shifts across the lines.
Gabriel Landeskog was sent to the penalty box for boarding with just under four minutes left in the period. If you ask me, had Patric Hornqvist stayed on his feet, there wouldn't have been a call. Regardless, the Avs killed that penalty without too much trouble. Less than a minute after the kill, Francis Bouillon returned the favor by giving Colorado a power play on a hooking call. This time, the Avalanche scored on a beautiful sequence between Ryan O'Reilly and Paul Stastny. O'Reilly sent a no-look pass over to Stastny, who was skating up the right side boards. Stastny sent off a high shot on net, and O'Reilly tipped it past an otherwise perfect Pekka Rinne. It's not surprising that Radar was able to net a tip in like that as he and Landeskog spent about twenty minutes working tip ins Monday after practice.
The third period was much more evenly matched between the two teams although the Avalanche seriously started throwing the bodies around. Landeskog, Galiardi and Kyle Quincey all had huge hits. The teams traded chances, but it was Hornqvist that scored, sealing the game with five minutes left.
- 1 Ryan O'Reilly - scored the lone goal for the Avs
- 2 Paul Stastny - worked hard all night and perfectly set up O'Reilly's goal
- 3 Ryan Wilson - first game back, strong defensive play, 1 hit, 2 blocked shots, 2 shots on net
Honorable Mentions: TJ Galiardi, Kyle Quincey
- 1 Landeskog - O'Reilly - Hejduk
- 2 Galiardi - Stastny - Jones
- 3 Winnik - McClement - Kobasew
- 4 McLeod - Porter - van der Gulik
- 1 Quincey - Wilson
- 2 Hejda - O'Byrne
- 3 Hunwick - Elliott
- 1 Daniel Winnik saw only 12:59 in ice time. Ryan Wilson led all players in ice time (22:28); Gabriel Landeskog was second with 22:01.
- 2 Shots on net at the end of the first: 13 to 6 Nashville; Total shots on net: 33 to 26 Colorado
- 3 Sacco changed up the lines and d-pairings for the second. Hejduk and Jones swapped spots; on defense, Quincey and Elliott were reunited, putting Hunwick with Wilson.
- 4 If Suter or Weber ever play for the Avs, I fear that Peter McNab's head will explode from absolute euphoria.
The Avalanche head off to Music City to face the Predators again on Thursday night. Hopefully, this home-and-home will end much like the Chicago one did at the beginning of the year.
"I’m typically a fan of allowing a new strategy to play out for a bit, allow the short-term kinks to smooth themselves out… but I think this strategy of getting scored on a whole bunch should be changed immediately." - JProulx
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Looking for advice
What is the best hotel to stay at when coming to Denver to see an Avs game?
Also what else is good to do when coming for a weekend? Plan on being in town Friday afternoon, Avs game Saturday night leave Sunday noonish.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
Can’t really comment too much on hotels (my family just drives up from home when we go to games), but as for things to do, I’d recommend spending at least a little time on the 16th Street Mall. There are a bunch of interesting little shops/restaurants/people in that stretch of downtown.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
I agree with this, I live downtown, there are a bunch of hotels with all sorts of price ranges and you can either walk or if the weather is bad, take a taxi/bike taxi/ or a free shuttle depending on which restaurant your’re at.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 11, 2012 11:19 AM MST up reply actions
Email AJ about hotels. He’s the hotel guru around these parts.
In addition to 16th street mall, like andi said, consider hitting up Boulder. They’ve got a couple of great breweries there.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 10, 2012 11:48 PM MST up reply actions
If you can’t make it to Boulder for Avery, Twisted Pine, Upslope, Boulder Beer etc. and you want some great beer there are a bunch of breweries in Denver too. Great Divide has always been my go to in Denver, Vine Street, Strange Brewing is decent, and a couple of really new places: Denver Beer Company and Renegade Brewing are both fantastic.
Although the Brewery is in Breckenridge, I love going to Breckenridge Brewery down by Coors, and Falling Rock Tap House
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 11, 2012 10:55 AM MST up reply actions
Falling Rock is exceptional if you have wads of money to blow.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Jan 11, 2012 12:09 PM MST up reply actions
I just order the beer that is 2x-3x ABV, then hit another bar later, forgetting that I’ve ordered potent beer. Drinking what I would be able to handle from normal beer. Taking the light rail towards my house, pass out and miss the connection at I-25 and broadway, then decide it’s not that far to walk from Orchard Road & I-25 to the Columbine area at 2am.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 11, 2012 1:01 PM MST up reply actions
I’d have to say that if you’re gonna be in town, you have to hit up the Cherry Cricket in Cherry Creek. It’s probably got the best hamburgers in Colorado—maybe our entire division. And it’s well priced and they have a great selection of brews as well.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 11, 2012 12:06 AM MST up reply actions
Denver City Grill >>>>> Cherry Cricket
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 11, 2012 12:18 AM MST up reply actions
Never been there before, I should try it. But frankly, when I can get Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, & Pork Green Chile smothered on my burger I don’t think I’d go anywhere else. Especially for the price.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 11, 2012 12:32 AM MST up reply actions
Patently.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 11, 2012 11:19 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah
Definitely e-mail me and I’ll helps you out.
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+
by A.J. Haefele on Jan 11, 2012 7:01 AM MST up reply actions
Man, that was a tough one to watch. I was able to score tix to the game and part of me wishes I didn’t. However, a jumbotron snafu provided a running joke between my friend and I for most of the game. During the “Guess the Player’s Number” game during one of the commercial breaks, they mis-spelled Winnik’s name as “Winnk.” My friend was able to get a picture of it and once he sends me a copy, I’m SOO making it my avatar!
The fact that a simple typo was the highlight of our night shows how fun the game itself was.
"They called tripping!? Where did THAT happen?"
"On the ice."
".........my...brain hurts...."
by StoneCutter013 on Jan 10, 2012 11:39 PM MST via mobile reply actions
That's just sad.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 11, 2012 1:25 AM MST up reply actions
I thought that tonight’s effort was pretty disgusting. The loss of Johnson and O’Brien really worried me. They could have used #5’s toughness against his old squad. The Preds took full advantage of young Elliot and weak Hunwick. Goodness, Hunwick looked completely useless tonight—the Preds have forwards that tower over him and he couldn’t stand up to them let alone make any kind of physical presence defensively. Quincey looked New Jersey tradable (as long as Parise comes back in the deal). I was severely disappointed in him this evening—his skates weren’t moving much at all. I give Elliot a pass as all rookies must learn in this league, and being a -3 will be a learning experience for the youngster.
Can someone please explain to me how halfway through the season, we still arrive 20 minutes late to play? How can you conceivably call this a valid reason for losing? Dammit, I’ve laid off over the past few weeks as he’s seemed to get his poop in a group, but Sacco has to accept some responsibility for this. Your team was shut out on the road, handily by 4 goals, and you can’t get them ready to play a match-up that could propel you further toward playoff contention? Gimme a break—that’s the kind of stuff that I’d see from an AHL coach. Not a coach who had his team on a solid winning streak at home and three important road wins. Also, can someone explain to me why McCleod didn’t go out and try to fight someone after that first Predator goal? A fight wouldn’t have sparked them and woke this team up after they apparently showed up late again?
I’m getting extremely sick of the old broken record of the excuses We didn’t start the game on time & We didn’t play a full 60 minutes . I knew that would be the lines flowing from his mouth in his postgame comments by the end of the 1st period. Step up and own it—team, coach, players, and certainly management/ownership.
On my way out, I asked an usher where I could go to get my refund. He then proceeded to tell me how Josh doesn’t want to spend any money to INVEST in this team to make it better.
And dammit, where was Chris Hansen tonight? He better show up in Nashville Thursday night and ask those Preds to take a seat…
I checked and Joe Sacco had 0:00 ice time for the whole game. I can believe that he didn’t show up at all. What a slacker.
I think it was after the Avs gave up the third goal McNabb started talking about what it would take to get back into the game and he specifically mentioned that it would take some good coaching and decisions by Sacco.
Right before McNabb said the word coaching the camera shows a closeup of Sacco with what I thought was a look of utter confusion as if he was thinking what am I suppose to do now, I already tried mixing up the lines. My heart sank at that point and I knew we were in trouble.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
Can someone please explain to me how halfway through the season, we still arrive 20 minutes late to play?
Because the “good” teams never, ever, ever fall victim to not starting on time.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 11, 2012 10:51 AM MST up reply actions
Consistently? Because, you know, I’m starting to see a pattern…
Could be purely speculation though…just sayin’
by quietstorm560 on Jan 12, 2012 1:56 AM MST up reply actions
A quick look (therefore not a complete analysis) suggest it’s the second period that they struggle in.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 12, 2012 9:24 AM MST up reply actions
After a late-night google image search....
I have decided that if the Avs can’t win the Cup this year, I’m cheering for the Preds. Or, I should say, I’m cheering for Shea Weber’s beard. Can you imagine how EPIC that thing would be by the Stanley Cup Finals?
I still hope we kick their ass Thursday though. We stand a really good chance if the boys decided they actually want to play hockey in the first instead of watching the other team score goals for 20 minutes.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Off Topic -
I know I’m breaking the “T” rule, but I’m really amused by this. Maybe, one day, they’ll do this for the Avs too. How ’bout that Duchene?
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Welp, that’s two rough ones in a row.
Really impressed by Nashville. For a bunch of no-name forwards, they swarmed like crazy. They looked like a plague of locusts. I haven’t checked OTF, but I’m guessing that was one of their better starts this season.
Having two beasts on defense helps, those guys chew up minutes like crazy.
Winnik gave up the puck too easily on the first goal.
Varly peeked to his right at exactly the worst time on the second goal. A bonus razz goes to The Teej, who took that bad penalty many feet from his own zone to give a great PP a chance.
The third goal was a laser. Varly should have stopped it, but it was a great shot.
Quincey’s giveaway for the fourth goal doesn’t even matter – the game was lost by then, and he was pressing.
Stats looked good. McNab said he was the Avs’ best player in the very good 2nd period. That’s nice to hear, because we haven’t heard that nearly enough this season.
Landy looked good after his line had a rough start. Really physical, a little bit creative on offense.
I know Elliott was -3, but I didn’t think he was terrible. I mean, he didn’t really stand out for playing like crap.
One goal in two games won’t win anything. People can (and will) crap on the usual suspects, the 4th liners and the 5/6 D, but we need more from the top guys. Same old story.
Wholeheartedly agree on the assessment of production needed from the the top stars. That’s what happens when you don’t have a back-up plan if your 2nd line hinges on a winger being questionable due to concussion. Goodness, I wish they’d at least make some sort of push for some more talent.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 11, 2012 1:23 AM MST up reply actions
I’m wondering, if both the Avs and the preds have pretty much no name forwards, what is the difference in how the preds can be consistently above average and the avs are just… inconsistent? This is a serious question, and I don’t really have any answers.
"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck" -Obi Wan Kenobi
O'Reilly works harder than you
Two things that may answer this: Youth & Trotz
The Avs are the youngest team in the league. Their inconsistency is a trademark of young teams. Their peaks ultra-high and valleys hellishly low. That’s the thing with youth and development. Hence why coaching is extremely important which leads into…
Trotz has really developed that Nashville squad into a superb team. They have consistently been playoff material for many years. They play a punishing and disciplined defense. And look what division they’ve had to do it in? Against Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis—and they still play extremely well. Oh, and their goaltending is awesome. See the Why Avs Need Full-Time Goalie Coach article by Goalie Guild for further details.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 11, 2012 2:10 AM MST up reply actions
The Preds have drafted extremely well for the d-corps and goaltending. They’ve also patiently developed that talent. They’ve had consistent systems up and down the organization for years and those systems have been the lynchpin of their strategies. Still, according to the graphic last night, they’re only a few months older than the Avs, so claiming youth as an excuse for Colorado is a little misleading.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
If the Preds were the Avs the fans here would have called for a coaching change hundreds of time. I agree with everything you said Mike, about defense and goaltending and consistent systems. All of that has produced 1 first round playoff series win in 12 seasons, which was last year. Their fans must be really, really patient. I’m not on OTF all that often, but when I am, I don’t see a whole lot of “Fire Trotz!” posts. I’m sure they’re there.
Seems like they do a lot of things the right way, and they’re on a good streak of sell outs, and a couple of their guys have a real “wow!” factor. But still…one playoff series win in 12 seasons?
I think it’s generally understood they are working on a tight budget that can’t just go out and get talent willy-nilly so the coach is given a little leeway.
Oh..
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 11, 2012 11:03 AM MST up reply actions
Considering the Preds have never won the Stanley Cup, nor a playoff series, their fans don’t yet know what they are missing. To a degree, we Avs fans have been spoiled…but at the same time we were groomed to expect to compete for the Cup every season. We were told by the team and management that the goal every season was to win the Cup. It seems that idea has changed in the past few seasons….
Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.
Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.
by Americanario on Jan 11, 2012 11:08 AM MST up reply actions
"we have been spoiled"
gtfo of here Kroenke, give Canary his account back.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
That’s why I clarified with the grooming part. The organization taught us to expect winning, so if we are ‘spoiled’ it their own damn fault.
Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.
Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.
by Americanario on Jan 11, 2012 5:32 PM MST up reply actions
oh, I could complain about ownership all day, I just think people hold Sacco to the expectations of having the resources of a Cup Contender, when the rescources at his disposal have been more in line with Trotz’
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 11, 2012 11:44 AM MST up reply actions
maybe it is just perception, but it seems like there are times (to many of them) when the cart is driving the horse or the inmates are running the asylum or whatever you want to call it.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
Prostitutes running the brothel
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 11, 2012 12:58 PM MST up reply actions
Accountants running the hockey team.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Jan 11, 2012 1:06 PM MST up reply actions
DING DING DING DING
We have a winner!
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 11, 2012 3:41 PM MST up reply actions
Yet, Trotz has shown that he can develop a system, and uses the talent that he has very well. His players also seem to succeed under his leadership. I don’t know if I necessarily want to give Sacco as much time has Trotz has had because I don’t see him being anything more than a 4th line grinder of a coach. His attitude and work ethic are solid, but talent wise, he’s extremely limited.
Goodness though, Rinne looked like he was 7’5" on the ice that game. He’s a huMANGous* guy.
- Obligatory Bryzgalov quote
by quietstorm560 on Jan 12, 2012 2:02 AM MST up reply actions
Great question, I’ve got no answers, either. We’re 25th in the league in Goals For/Game, at 2.46. Last year we finished 18th, at 2.70 GF/G. Two seasons ago we were 6th, at 2.89 GF/G. The last two games haven’t helped, as we’ve dropped from 2.55 GF/G before the Blues loss.
The guys we expected to be our top scorers at the beginning of the season – Stastny, Duchene, Hejduk, and David Jones – are all at a lower PPG than they have been historically and recently. Stastny and Hejduk are the two who have declined the most.
Daniel Winnik, cast in a difficult role that he’s not suited for, has matched his PPG from last season (.33), although given his increased ice time and (supposedly) better quality teammates, that’s more of a loss than a push.
T.J. Galiardi, also in a difficult role that he may or may not be suited for, has seen his PPG decrease, especially from two seasons ago (.56 to .30). He averaged about 5 minutes more ice time per game two seasons ago, although he has seen his ice time increase lately.
I do think that, by necessity, this is a tighter defensive team than we’ve had the past two seasons, especially last year, when we were last in the league in goals allowed, by a huge margin. And to be tighter defensively, I think we’ve had to turn things down, at least a bit, offensively.
If we get the 2nd half improvement from Stats, Hejduk, Duchene, Jones, and Galiardi, then maybe we can hope that we’ll start outscoring some teams.
I’d guess the obvious answer would be to go with mike and place the difference on strong d and goalie talent. I’m still wondering if there might not be something else that plays into it though. Reading these responses makes me not feel too bad about it though now. Like you said, one playoff victory in 12 years would frustrate the hell out of me. At least it looks (debateably) like the Avs are swinging for the fence, even if they are whiffing. If they are still whiffing in a few years I guess I can start to get really unspoiled and frustrated.
"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck" -Obi Wan Kenobi
O'Reilly works harder than you
While I agree that that we need some production from somebody not named O`Reilly, the top guys didn’t lose the game tonight, they just didn’t win it either. Shady logic I know, still…
Winnik gave up the puck too easily on the first goal.
Varly peeked to his right at exactly the worst time on the second goal. A bonus razz goes to The Teej, who took that bad penalty many feet from his own zone to give a great PP a chance.
Hunwick and Kobesew were pretty culpable on the first goal. Why Not-a-Honey-Badger thought he needed to cover the forward that was already covered by his partner is beyond me, and Chuck got caught flat-footed and was out-muscled for position by Spaling.
The second goal was a pretty lazy attempt at a shot block by Winnik (I think) on a hard point shot that Varly never saw due to the opposing body right in front of him. When playing a team like Nashville without an elite offensive threat, you have to be prepared for traffic and screens all night and NOBODY was aware of the body in front of Varly on that shot.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
People may roll their eyes at the #blamehunwick here but I thought he looked lost all night long. He stared at the puck all night long, turned his back to his assignments etc… Doesn’t matter when the offense can’t put in more than a goal but it was bad enough I’d consider flying in Barrie for a single game if Johnson and O’Brien are out again.
I'll keep this brief.
I thought he had some good plays towards the end of the game, but in the beginning he looked lost. I can definitely see why he’s our 8th defenseman.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 11, 2012 10:56 AM MST up reply actions
Well, that’s two goals that they scored, and considering we scored one, it still wouldn’t have been good enough.
I agree with Dario, I didn’t think Hunwick looked good, especially in the first period. He and Elliott had played together before, and had been successful, so there wasn’t any reason to think they wouldn’t be fine again together. They got split up after the first period, right?
Wilson, as expected, looked rusty. It’s also weird to see him on the right side and not the left.
Andy_, I didn’t go back and watch the first goal in its entirety, but Quincey wasn’t even on the ice for that goal.
Wilson seemed like he was not used to playing on that side. It seemed like a few times he got the puck along the boards in his defensive zone and was going to clear it and realized that the puck was on his backhand and not his forehand and he wouldn’t be able to get it out.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
Mike I agree totally about the first goal and the second. AFter the second I was asking out load why no one bothered to help out Varly and get the guy screening him out of the way. He never saw that shot. The third goal I thought was pretty much on Varly, he was in positioni he saw the shooter and the shot the whole way. It made me wonder if his weakness is high on the glove side or was this an off night for him?
I am not going to lay the 4th goal all on Quincey. The whole team screwed the pooch on that one. Quincey had no help, no room to skate with the puck and no one to pass to when he turned it over. If you go back and look when Quincey gets the loose puck every one of his teammates are withing 10 feet of him (3 of 4 were pretty much withing arms reach). There should never be a time in any game when all 5 guys are that close together or even on the same half of the defensive zone. That shit happens when everyone is chasing the puck like a bunch of mini mites and not playing smart postional hockey.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
Wouldn’t coaching prepare your team for this (traffic/screens)? Or because this was the first time these teams squared off for the season, no one had film on them?
by quietstorm560 on Jan 12, 2012 2:04 AM MST up reply actions
So 1-2 after the halfway point. 1 shutout win, and two blow out losses. Is it too early to hit the panic button on the old 2nd half swoon? I kid, I kid
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
I kid, I kid
No you don’t, you bitter old man…
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Hey, I am worried. 2 losses is the start of a losing streak and this team is the definition of streaky.
I miss Wilson’s hips
SteveHouse - December 31, 2011
by CrankyPete on Jan 11, 2012 11:53 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Two games without Johnson (he played only two minutes in St. Louis) and there were 8 goals against. The defense needs him as their leader and it was abundantly clear. There is depth there, at lest compared to last year, but he is the cornerstone of it. The defense turned the corner after November when he started playing well. He needs to get back in the lineup as soon as fucking possible.
A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.
That’s interesting that you pointed that out. EJ has been playing much better of late – has he quietly become our cornerstone?
Losing O’Brien also hurt. He’s our most experienced D-man and the guy that roughs other people up. He’s typically pretty darn solid on D too. We really could have used him last night as well.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
If you watch the Chicago game again, watch how the Blackhawks best shifts are against EJ, but EJ shuts them down. Then notice how after he stopped/prevented a goal, the Avs start to push back and take the lead. He runs that defense. Last night and in St. Louis Hejda and O’Byrne looked like messes, yet in Anaheim, LA, and Chicago they looked solid, poised, and in control.
I posit that Johnson is the reason for that.
A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.
Since Wilson went down EJ and O’Brien have been the best defending defensemen on the team. Both go out and it was like a switch was flipped and they looked like the 2nd half team from 2010. Even against LA when they were dominated, the front of the net wasn’t outnumbred like the last two games.
I'll keep this brief.
I went to bed angry, which is something I really need to stop doing because I have horrible sleeping problems any way, but after some reverie it’s really not all that bad. The game sucked and they played like absolute shit, but the Avs, without Duchene, Johnson, O’Brien, and Mueller, are only 2 points out of a playoff spot with only Dallas having more than 1 game in hand.
A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.
First period was hideous. Elliott-hunwick pairing was a disaster. Good on sacco for splitting them up, too bad the damage had already been done. 1 goal on 18 shots in the second? come on, now, somebody has to score here, and if the avs don’t have any scorers they need to get one. Hejduk is starting to look like this may be more than a slump and mueller is still out, time to quit relying on them.
Another point for stastny. Maybe he’ll start to turn it around?
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
by SteveHouse on Jan 11, 2012 8:16 AM MST via Android app reply actions
The Avs “finishing” has been a problem for awhile now. Lots of shots, but usually not a lot of high quality scoring chances
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
I thought Pauly Walnut’s line had some really good opportunities in the 2nd but Pekka Rinne is ALL FUCKING WORLD and you gotta believe he wasn’t gonna blow a 3 goal lead in 40 minutes.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
I don’t know. They seemed to have a lot of good chances last night. I think they need more in the way of redirection chances and/or screens. Goalies can see what they are doing, so they have good chances to save.
That was the case on most of Stastny’s chances, Rinne saw them the whole way. But then again when the Avs did have some one in front, Rinne didn’t give up any rebounds.
The one goal the Avs scored, was a redirect/tip by O’Reilly of a Stastny shot/pass.
Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.
Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.
by Americanario on Jan 11, 2012 10:13 AM MST up reply actions
Did anyone else bail out last night after the 1st period to watch Dr. Strangelove on TCM? Damn. Love that movie.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
Have had it on my DVR for a long time. Great, great movie. One of my all-time faves.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Jan 11, 2012 4:12 PM MST up reply actions
I’m a bludgeon for punishment…I stayed in the GDT the whole game.
Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.
Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.
by Americanario on Jan 11, 2012 5:33 PM MST up reply actions
It didn’t look good after the first. I put on my happy glasses, changed the channel, and slept like a baby after I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 11, 2012 7:53 PM MST up reply actions
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