Avalanche at Oilers Recap: Too Little, Too Late (Again) Avs Lose 3-2
by Mike @ MHH on Jan 31, 2012 10:18 PM MST
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PrintA myriad of playoff implications were in play tonight as multiple teams in the 12th-to-8th spots in the Western Conference got back to action following the All-Star break. One of those games was between the 9th place Avalanche and the already-out-of-it Edmonton Oilers. Semyon Varlamov made his first start in net since January 16th and Ryan O`Reilly made his return from illness. The Avs hoped to get to .500 against a lackluster Northwest division foe but dug a hole early and couldn't get back out.
The game started with some quick, back-and-forth action with the Avs controlling the majority of the possession and had some great opportunities with O'Reilly's and Stastny's line both getting some good pressure. Unfortunately, that pressure didn't amount to much. Not content to discuss the game, the Altiboobs decided they'd introduce their man-crush for this game: Jordan Eberle. Of course he responded with a goal just short of the five minute mark. He drove the back of the net, selling the wraparound before reversing for the stuff. Varlamov got his leg back for the first save, but didn't have the leverage to prevent Eberle from tucking the rebound in. Sam Gagner and OKC stalwart Phillipe Cornet got assists.
Jan Hejda drew a penalty after a nice hip check earned the ire of Ben Eager. One GREAT shot from O'Reilly was tipped on net by Peter Mueller but genetic aberration Devan Dubnyk made a great save. That was pretty much the highlight of the period for Colorado at even strength. The Avs decided to treat the Edmonton faithful to an extended look at the home team power play after plenty of back-and-forth action in the middle chunk of the period as T.J. Galiardi got tagged for a four minute penalty due to a high stick on Theo Peckham. The Oilers moved the puck around the zone well and Eric Belanger sent a slapshot past a screened Varlamov to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead. The goal occurred in the first half of the double minor, but the Avs managed to kill the last half of it (and the remainder of the period) before heading to the lockerroom with a 11-6 shot differential to Edmonton's favor. The Alberta crowd was treated to a Chuck Kobasew's fumbled puck on the short-handed breakaway with a Dubnyk pokecheck to cancel out that moment of excitement for the visitors.
The Avs came out with some jump to start the period and less than two minutes in a Frankenline of Paul Stastny, Chuck Kobasew, and Mueller hit paydirt after Kobasew threw a puck across the crease. Mueller held his ground for the tip in to get Colorado on the scoreboard and back in the game. Stastny credited with the other assist on the goal. The Avalanche followed up the great start with even more pressure as the forecheck went into overdrive. They spent most of the next 6-to7 minutes in Edmonton's zone. Dubnyk got his second ping of the night during one of those sustained stretches.
By the nine minute mark the Avalanche had closed the shot gap to 12-12 with constant pressure and multiple chances. The period settled in a little and the Oilers pushed back with some aggressive forechecking of their own. Varlamov made some quality saves during this stretch, including a good glove save on Eberle as well as some solid work through traffic. Lots of neutral zone play commenced before a great read and hustle play by Stastny at the Edmonton blue line drew a penalty with a broken stick due to a two hander from Golden Fingers Eberle. A WEEEEEEAK start to the Power Play (the passing was indicitive of broken wrists and faint hearts) and one soft dump on net were the only things worth mentioning. Jay McClement's line generated a good shift at the end of the frame, but the Colorado went to the intermission with only half of the goal differential made up (shots: 18-19 Oilers).
The third period started much the same as the 2nd with sustained pressure by Colorado. Stastny had a a great net-drive from the corner and the Avs force Dubnyk to be solid in the first three minutes of the period. He continues to stand tall and after a great shift in the Oil end by Stastny's line, the play quickly went down the to other end and a bad-angle Ales Hemsky shot off of Varlamov's right pad landed on a streaking Taylor Hall's stick for the slam dunk with about 6 minutes gone in the period. 3-1 Oilers.
The Avalanche, to their credit, answered with more sustained pressure and were rewarded. Some great passing and reads by the O'Reilly's line (namely his rebound-inducing shot to the far side leg pad) and a net drive by Milan Hejduk (of all people) left Gabriel Landeskog with a chance to bury the backhand past a well-out-of-his-net Dubnyk. Landeskog extended his point streak to 4 games with that goal. 3-2 Oilers with shots at 23 apiece and nearly half of the period remaining.
More sustained possession throughout the remainder of the period with great plays by David Jones to pin it deep, a good check on Hall by Quincey, some good back-checking by Landeskog, and a near miss of a deflected shot from Stastny.The Avs were all over the Oilers at this point. In particular, O'Reilly made a great play at the point to keep a puck alive and then had a sure goal taken away by Dubnyk as he slid over and trapped the puck in the seven hole.
An Edmonton high-stick garnered an offensive zone faceoff and coach Joe Sacco took his timeout. He pulled Varlamov and ran 5 forwards with Johnson. They generated some intermittent possession, but don't do much quality with it. Lots of scrambling to the buzzer, but ultimately nothing to show for it except another loss to a shit less than outstanding team, this one in their own division.
- Landeskog
- Mueller
- O'Reilly
- Landeskog - O'Reilly- Hejduk
- Galiardi - Stastny - Mueller
- Winnik - McClement - Jones
- McLeod - van der Gulik - Kobasew : Kevin Porter is the forward watching from the pressbox with O`Reilly returning.
- O'Byrne - Hejda
- Quincey - Johnson
- O'Brien - Wilson: Elliott and Hunwick are both healthy and both on nacho duty.
- Varlamov
- His errant stick earned Galiardi a whopping ZERO for TOI in the 2nd. Kobasew was rewarded with his spot and O'Reilly double-shifted on the 4th. I thought it worked pretty well.
- Landeskog had a good game IMO. He shoots every time the puck is on his stick, he hits, he battles, and he forechecks like a beast. He has a point streak because he works his tail off. I hope we don't see a rookie wall this season because he's a treat to watch.
- Taylor Hall got roughed up in this game. Two big hits in the 3rd period in particular had him on the bench wincing. He finished the game though.
- SCORING EFFECT ALERT!!!: Final SOG totals: COL 33 EDM 23
Colorado welcomes fellow Winter Classic shaft-ee on Thursday when the face the Minnesota Wild in the Pepsi Center at 7:00pm.
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Did anyone hear Sacco’s post game? He ripped that double minor committed by Gali… looked pissed.
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
The Avs hoped to get to .500 against a lackluster Northwest division foe but dug a hole early and couldn’t get back out.
I certainly hope not seeing as they were one game above .500 (if you count OTL as straight up losses) before the game started.
They’re not trying to lose are they? Don’t they realize they have nothing to tank for?
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
Pretty sure that the reference was to the season series, which up until tonight was 1-2 in favor of EDM.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
Hoppy is correct, Pyotr. Going into tonight, the Oilers were the only team the Avs even had a CHANCE at getting to .500 on the season series.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Woops, my bad.
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
by Pyotr09AVS! on Jan 31, 2012 10:43 PM MST up reply actions
And I thought I was good at reading-comprehension..
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
by Pyotr09AVS! on Jan 31, 2012 10:43 PM MST up reply actions
Watching the Avalanche will do that to you..
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
by Pyotr09AVS! on Jan 31, 2012 10:47 PM MST up reply actions
Apparently it will also make you talk to yourself
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
by Pyotr09AVS! on Jan 31, 2012 10:47 PM MST up reply actions
Goodnight
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
by Pyotr09AVS! on Jan 31, 2012 10:48 PM MST up reply actions
Avs can still get to .500 against the Nucks, Mild and Oilers.
currently:
0-2-0 vs Nucks
1-2-0 vs Mild
1-3-0 vs Oil
Probably not going to happen with any of the three, but still possible.
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.
At least Rycroft was good tonight…
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 31, 2012 10:27 PM MST reply actions
You know its bad when Peter McNab says, “2-11? Who can explain that?”
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
by GeorgeInLimbo on Jan 31, 2012 10:32 PM MST up reply actions
Rycroft is always good unless Altitude give him the occasional “tone it down if you want to keep your job” talk. I wish they’d bring him on full-time.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
I miss when the Avs were exciting to watch.
They’re boring, don’t have energy, and don’t play to win.
The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.
Dudes to keep
Mueller
O’Reilley
Landeskog
Gigeuere
That’s a short list
by Pinchy The Lobster on Jan 31, 2012 10:40 PM MST reply actions
I hope we go 8-2-2 in February.
If we don’t I am not sure we can make the playoffs.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
Pitiful
After the gigantic laid egg at home before the break, I was hoping to see these guys come out swingin tonite. Inexcusable.
by Jog73 on Jan 31, 2012 10:48 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions
Guess I caught the shitty period.
"Noooo!!!" - Referee, Oilers @ Avs, 26.11.2011
The 2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: there will be blood and there will be wins. Maybe.
"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.
The Number Zero, for everything but mathematics. Blood and Thunder Record: 9-12-1 (Total Record: 10-13-1)
by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 31, 2012 10:49 PM MST reply actions
There was more than one.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
They were all shitty?
"Noooo!!!" - Referee, Oilers @ Avs, 26.11.2011
The 2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: there will be blood and there will be wins. Maybe.
"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.
The Number Zero, for everything but mathematics. Blood and Thunder Record: 9-12-1 (Total Record: 10-13-1)
by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 31, 2012 11:00 PM MST up reply actions
I just read Dater’s hate post game blog. Is this typical Dater overreaction or was Varly really that bad? I missed half the game since I was at the ballet. I went back to watch the goals against. I thought Varly was screened on the 2nd goal. On the first goal, he probably should have kept his leg tight to the post but why was everyone letting Eberle poke away at the puck? 3rd goal seemed to be a bad rebound. I didn’t think he was as bad as Dater thinks from the part of the game I saw.
Yep Varly was bad, the goals weren’t all his fault, but he got saved on other chances too. He should have done better tonight if the wants the number job, he did not earn it tonight.
On a better note, you do ballet, it doesn’t count without pics
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
__
That would be me watching a ballet performance, I am far too lazy to actually attempt ballet. Very good show by the American Ballet Theater, sounds like it was much better than the game.
Thanks for the update. This makes me sad. I was hoping Varly would have a good performance tonight.
It appears that Varly has a new mask. It seems that the carrot bazooka was retired. Now the Yeti is riding some kind of machine through the snow with the bazooka on his back and the snowman is on the other side looking scary.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 31, 2012 11:19 PM MST up reply actions
What shitty body language. trollface.jpg
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
Yeah, give up a PP goal against that you should have used your x-ray laser eyes to see through a few bodies to prevent and then you should feel like shit.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 31, 2012 11:31 PM MST up reply actions
Varly's Night
First goal: SOB was on top of Varly in the crease because Eberle faked SOB out of his skates, Varly had no chance.
Second goal: lacking x-ray vision as mentioned above.
Third goal: SOB and Stastny fail to clear rebound/play defense.
Also- Avs fail to score.
Varly!
by niwotsblessing on Feb 1, 2012 8:02 AM MST up reply actions
I disagree completely on the first goal. the second Eberle started behind the net Varly was off his post and starting to slide across, he wasn’t quick enough to get his skate back on the post when he realized Eberle wasn’t going behind the net. Sob should have gone with Eberle behind the net and forced him to go that way, but Varly has to be sure the skater is going behind, BEFORE he leaves his post.
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.
So… they both got faked out of their pants
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. RAYMOND BOURQUE: A DREAM COME TRUE!
pretty much….maybe Varly can get back and put up a better fight without SoB in his face, but if he holds his position a hair longer, he doesn’t get faked out and that may force Eberle to actually go around the net.
SoB still screwed pooch, and they both deserve some blame.
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 Feb 1, 2012 11:48 AM MST up reply actions
No, but he hit the nail on the head… Varly didn’t make one big save when the team needed him… He wasn’t attrocious, but he gave up the chance for the team to come back. He wasn’t even tested all that much either.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
The first one was a great play by Eberle. Everybody in the building thought he would carry his speed for the wraparound. The fact that Varly even got the first stuff attempt speaks to his athleticism. He just didn’t have the leverage to keep his leg and the net.
He never saw the 2nd goal. Three bodies in front of the net.
Third one was bad. Off his angle a little and the hard shot rebound went right to the slot where SoS’ line got burned for their 2nd GA of the night.
He didn’t make a big save, no. He wasn’t tested, so there weren’t many opportunities to make said big save.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
If is was Jiggy in net today and not Varly, are we even having this conservation?
Go Avs.
Go Blues.
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 31, 2012 11:18 PM MST up reply actions
Does it matter?
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
No.
But I’m a little sick of hearing about how Varly does everything wrong, and Jiggy does everything right. I love the Jiggy signing, I really really do, I just get ill when I read crap pieces about how Varly lost us this game.
Go Avs.
Go Blues.
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 31, 2012 11:23 PM MST up reply actions
One, stop taking Dater so seriously, you’ll sleep better at night. Two, I think the difference is, most games, Giguere gives his team a chance to win with several big saves; I can think of one Varlamov had tonight and that was a breakaway.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
At least the GWG wasn’t a 50-footer with no screen…
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Saw that...
Poor Fuck Andy.
Go Avs.
Go Blues.
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 31, 2012 11:29 PM MST up reply actions
lol'd
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
I think the difference is, most games, Giguere gives his team a chance to win with several big saves
I guess this is the type of comment that bothers me. Jiggy allows the 3 goals on 18 shots in the game against the Ducks. 2 of those goals we breakaway goals and I was told that I should thank God Howard that he save the one. A week or so later, Varly lets in 3 on 23 shots, one being a crappy goal, one being a goal allowed on the bottom half of a double minor PP against the best PP home team in the NHL, and one that I didn’t see and the consensus is that the loss is on Varly. Right now, I just feel there is a double standard… I could be wrong.
Go Avs.
Go Blues.
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 31, 2012 11:38 PM MST up reply actions
I’m on fire with “two things” tonight
Two things.
Varly lets in 3 on 23 shots, one being a crappy goal, one being a goal allowed on the bottom half of a double minor PP against the best PP home team in the NHL, and one that I didn’t see and the consensus is that the loss is on Varly.
I think that goes too far, the team as a whole lost that game, with Varlamov a reasonably equal part of it, and I’ve seen no one say otherwise.
Right now, I just feel there is a double standard… I could be wrong.
Why is that a problem? Why should our “#1 goalie for the future” who had his own introductory press conference not be held to a higher standard than the older guy brought in explicitly to back up and mentor?
A lot of it is probably that exact expectations game plus the pendulum of opinion swinging against him. He played very well for a while and extended his honeymoon phase to last a couple of months, or do you not remember the long long long time of Jibs screaming into the wind that Varlamov has been terrible and no one wants to talk about it? Once people finally accept they’ve been wrong like that, they can go overboard to make sure they aren’t wrong again. :\ that’s cognition for ya.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
For me Steve it is not just the goals he gave up but the goals he got lucky on and almost gave up. He looked like budaj or worse. I don’t know what more to say about his effort, I want him to be a number one, but I am getting nervous.
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
If you took the trade ramifications out of the equation, and looked strictly at goalie play, would you think about sending Varly to LE and bringing up Desjardins?
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
absolutely. I had that thought 30 seconds after the game ended
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
I like Varly, but his confidence isn’t good, and he isn’t helping the Avs, as is. Certainly seems like it should be a possibility, with Desjardins playing, perhaps, better than either Varly or Jiggy, but we may never know. If it does happen, Varly would likely go on the injured list…
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
Ignoring all the other issues involved in demoting Varly, you can’t send him down, he’s subject to waivers. If I am interpreting things correctly, for Varly’s situation (first signed at age 19 on July 11, 2007), after 80 games played (regular and post season) he is subject to waivers to be sent down. He’s played 108 regular season plus post season NHL games.
If Varly were to go on the injured list, then they could bring up Desjardins, without sending him to LE. Is that a possibility?
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
Why does he have to go on the injury list? Why not just recall Desjardins and demote someone else? No rule against having 3 healthy goalies on the roster. Seriously, I don’t think the answer to fixing Varly is sending him to the AHL or pretending he is injured. How about starting with hiring a full time goalie coach. I haven’t paid much attention to Desjardins, but do you really think he’s better than Varly at this point in time? I guess I could see giving him a shot to play a couple games but I think you’d have to do it with 3 goalies on the roster.
Didn’t think about having 3 goalies. Interesting.
This is the LE goalie stats:
30 Cedrick Desjardins 14 844:21 8 5 1 2 26 1.85 412 0.941
31 Trevor Cann 25 1457:13 9 16 0 0 71 2.92 653 0.902
1 Gerald Coleman 5 261:34 3 2 0 0 13 2.98 129 0.908
35 James Reid 4 138:02 0 1 0 0 9 3.91 54 0.857
I can’t say Desjardins is better than Varly, or not, but his stats at LE are really good.
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
Those are good stats but 14 games is a small sample size. I don’t think calling him up just to do it is the right move. Is Varly really playing that atrocious to warrant having 3 goalies? I don’t think so.
Just kind of thinking, here. Not all that sold on not playing Varly, myself, but pretty upset with not just his play, but the overall Avs play, tonight and the past three games. As pointed out, by Dater, this was Varly’s first game back after having Jiggy play a few in a row, and I really hoped for a better performance and more improvement in his game. The Avs must win and make the playoffs, some how, some way, and would love to see Varly step up, but his chances are running out, if he doesn’t play like a no. 1.
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
I know the first thing I do when I want consistency out of one of my goalies is play him one-out-of-five games…
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Desjardins has been injured and hasn’t played since Dec 28th, so he would be unavailable at the moment……
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.
Giguere’s save% is .921. Varlamov’s is .899.
Is there a double standard? sure there is. Giguere’s overall play has earned him a pass on bad nights because he’s been good so often. Varlamov’s hasn’t.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 8:08 AM MST up reply actions
Yes.
If Sacco wants a new contract he will play Jiggy down the stretch. To Hell with development and the trade cost etc… He’s got to win.
I'll keep this brief.
Yep. Young goalies can be developed over time, this doesn’t have to be the season. Didn’t Carey Price have a “lost” season about two years ago?
It was better than what Varly’s got going on now, but not by much. He bounced back OK.
Yeah, except we’re talking about how Jiggy bit hard on the wraparound and didn’t even get the first save in that sequence.
And lets not pretend that Jiggy doesn’t kick out big rebounds. His name means “Boing!!” in French.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Speaking of “Boing”, how the hell did that rebound come out so hard on Varley. I mean, haven’t his leg pads softened up by now in the season? It didn’t even look like he gave that a big leg kick.
I'll keep this brief.
It looked like he struggled to track the puck at times tonight… which makes me wonder two things.
A) Does this team suck ass at preventing or clearing screens? Confirmation bias says yes so I’ll ask the other:
B) Is Giguere just a lot better at seeing around/fighting through them and making saves than Varlamov is?
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
Has Varly seen anything in practice like Hemsky or Eberle since he hasn’t played since the 16th?
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
No idea
but I’m gonna toss out there that “everyone in the building bit on Eberle’s move” is a hot steaming load as far as I’m concerned. Eberle wasn’t nearly able to wrap the puck around the other side of the net yet, so, why was Varly already on the other post, knowing his own quickness as he surely does? He’s a very aggressive goaltender in his positioning and that lack of patience got him in trouble there… from my untrained eye that learns something new almost every time Justin tweets (or you break something down).
Not being prepared for it on January 31 just doesn’t cut it as an excuse. He has to get himself ready to play, and the coaching staff has to get him ready to play as well, every night.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
No idea, but have you been watching to throw out that excuse for him. I respect you Mike but that seems like you are digging for some way to defend him.
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
Wasn’t digging. That was a backhanded way to say that looking at the skill on the Oilers top couple of lines vs. the skill on the Avs’ points to a disparity in how the teams are built and that I don’t think the Avs have enough skill.
It does look a little obtuse not that I read it in the morning…
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
so because he isn’t facing top notch players for an hour or two in practice that is why he isn’t playing well. So then why was Andy playing so well two years ago, the talent wasn’t that much better.
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
There was an interesting serious of tweets between Goalie Guild and a goalie coach about Varly during the game. They think he doesn’t read plays well. Actually that whole exchange me wonder if Varly’s issues are so obvious why don’t they have a goalie coach working with him every day to improve.
The Goalie Guild @TheGoalieGuild
For all you Avs fans, watch where Varlamov’s rebounds go, and how much more his d-men have to work to clear. Then compare it to Giguere.
Sean Murray @SeanVanCity
@TheGoalieGuild absolutely. Varlamov wide open stance leaves no room for arm movement and makes it next to impossible to absorb or steer
The Goalie Guild @TheGoalieGuild
@seanvancity Great tweet. He has incredible biomechanics and flexibility, but IMO doesn’t process or read plays very well. But he’s only 23.
Sean Murray @SeanVanCity
@TheGoalieGuild he’s a great athlete. Locks in with stance which limits fluidity of movement. I totally agree, he adds a calm presence to his game and work more on crease management and read and anticipation he will be a top tier goalie.
The Goalie Guild @TheGoalieGuild
@seanvancity Yes! I love his potential b/c he’s naturally gifted, but you are so right with “locks in.” Body tenses up, it needs to relax. And I see that it’s not a nervous tension, but an overall body tension. He coils up, puts TOO much energy into the first save.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 31, 2012 11:27 PM MST up reply actions
That jives with my observations (shallow they may be).
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
How does a goalie improve on reading plays? More experience? Vision therapy?
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 31, 2012 11:32 PM MST up reply actions
Dater neglected to mention how everyone thought Eberle was attempting the wraparound, and Varly managed to get back over to block the first shot. Instead he said Varly slid out of position, which I didn’t think was the case. Can you explain why he didn’t have the leverage to keep his leg against the post to block the second shot?
I really appreciate reading your analysis on Varly’s play, thanks for sharing.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 31, 2012 11:23 PM MST up reply actions
He bit, he slid over to take away the wraparound, but his flexibility allowed him to react and stretch his leg out. His weight was still all on his left leg though.
I find it funny that Dater wants to condemn Varly on that goal when Varly has to react to a play behind him AT FULL SPEED and play the percentage (which we all want him to do more of with sound positioning) but nobody has mentioned that both D and the center bit on the wraparound too. Varly made a save and bought SoS or somebody a beat to make a play. Nobody did.
Dater has formed an opinion on Varly and his bias clouds every argument he makes, IMO just as it did with Theo.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Dater is hard to take. It’s depressing that he’s the only beat writer. I mostly enjoy Chambers when he isn’t ranting about a player being too stuck up to talk to him. I am not that fond of some of the reporters that cover the Caps, but I just ignore and read the other reporters stuff. Same story with some of the Caps bloggers, there are so many of them. For some odd reason, CSN hired this idiot guy Chuck Gormley from Philly to cover the Caps this season. I think he’s so awful I don’t even bother to read his stuff 90% of the time, and I cringe when they have him on TV during every game, he has the worst voice for TV. He’s always trying to promote drama, it’s annoying. But he is easily ignored and the same info found from other sources. Sadly you can’t do the same with Dater.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 31, 2012 11:37 PM MST up reply actions
I’ve really enjoyed the Chambers stuff. I totally forgot the rant against Varly…
Go Avs.
Go Blues.
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 31, 2012 11:40 PM MST up reply actions
(as we all should)
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
Doesn’t it seem like on many opposition goals, that two of the Avs players seem to bite, or get caught out of position? It could be me, but I always see replays of two Avs going to the puck, or positioned off a rebound, with both d-men looking over their shoulder as the opposition scores, etc. On that wraparound, I thought Varly played it poorly, and I thought Eberle’s play was pretty good, but the entire team was hypnotized by the magical wizardry of the all star, all world, Eberle, and were nowhere near him or the post. I don’t think it’s all on Varly. There’s this expectation he needs to be super goalie, when he just needs to be a better goalie, but he’s not getting a lot of help, from anywhere. It’s only a matter of time before Jiggy’s slow reflexes gives up some bad goals. Defensive and offensive shitty play is the bigger problem, even with Varly playing some squirrelly goal. And wtf is with the four minute high sticking continuum? May as well begin calling it four minutes for Av-ing.
...holy freaking f*ck, snakes!
Not sure about the center, but I definitely noticed Wilson take himself out of position going for a check along the boards, then Shane O’Brien, maybe still feeling the affects of an awesome weekend in Aspen, did some waving thing there with his stick that wasn’t so good. None of that really helped Varly.
But the bottom line is that Dubnyk made two important, memorable saves. Can’t say that Varly made any.
But also, when Chuck Kobasew is one of your top forwards, you know there’s probably going to be a reckoning to face.
But Kobasubaru is a former 20 goal scorer.
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 Feb 1, 2012 10:03 AM MST up reply actions
To his credit, his blind passes in to the crease are creating more chances than anything Jones and Hejduk have done in recent memory. I mean, there are a 101 NHL players that can do that and I don’t know why more players don’t toss some junk through the crease for tip ins/rebounds. But, Kobasew just doesn’t give a fuck and does it when the rest of the team waits for a perfect pass or clear shot on goal. It’s probably out of some desire to be a possession team and hold the puck for open players but few of the forwards can finish so you’ve got to throw some of those blind crease passes to get some junk to go in. Even if you lose offensive possession 4 times out of 5 on that play. They. just. don’t. have. the. skill.
I'll keep this brief.
In summary
Get a lot of shots on net, instead of “shot quality”. interesting.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 10:30 AM MST up reply actions
BS mike, the first one was his shot at making a big save. that was one him. he got used and and abused on that play.
that is my opinion
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
Cush, he made the save. He didn’t make the 2nd.
That is my opinion.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
true he did stop the first attempt, but a goalie is suppose to hold strong to the post and he did not. He got beat.
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
The first shot is always the goalie’s responsibility, the rebound is usually the defenceman’s
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Feb 1, 2012 8:56 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
it wasn’t really a rebound, the guy tried to wrap around and the puck stopped at the edge of the goal line, he then banged it between Varly’s foot and the post.
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
Horse shit.
Varly lets in 3 goals on 23 shots and it’s his fault, but Jiggy lets in 3 on 18 shots and it wasn’t his fault. I think I’m getting a bit tired of Dater… I usually really enjoy reading his work, and REALLY enjoy reading what Chambers writes… but lord…
Go Avs.
Go Blues.
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 31, 2012 11:17 PM MST up reply actions
I am fairly sure many people here are going to blame varly
Our Universe is so Humongous Big - Illya Bryzgalov
Don't worry be happy right now - Illya Bryzgalov
by Freakoffaleash on Feb 1, 2012 12:51 AM MST up reply actions
I blame Sacco because he didn’t score any goals…..again!
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 Feb 1, 2012 10:05 AM MST up reply actions
I’m done with Dater, its just the same old negative crap all the time.
by DrunkinAvsFan on Feb 1, 2012 12:56 AM MST up reply actions
2 different goalies this year; same goalie controversy. Some things never change.
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: You Get What You Pay For
This would work better if the guy they signed as a backup wasn’t playing better than the guy they gave a 1st rounder and 2nd rounder for
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Is Sacco coaching the goaltenders?
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
I can see it now
He benches both of them for letting in softies in the same game and the Avs play the entire 3rd period with an empty net.
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: You Get What You Pay For
Absolutely true. If they are going to give up what they did for Varly, one would think they would put something back into that investment. This confidence shaking season isn’t going to help his play.
Oh, and that picture of your son – priceless.
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: You Get What You Pay For
My son has the same outfit….
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 Feb 1, 2012 10:17 AM MST up reply actions
I'm just sick of this :(
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
Didn't get to see the game...
But happy to see Mueller and Landy scoring. Here is to hoping Duchene’s return with lit some fire in people…
Go Avs.
Go Blues.
If any of the following convert on BEAUTIFUL chances sitting right in front of the crease this shit is a much different horse.
-O’Reilly (twice)
-Jones
-Stastny
-McLeod
-Kobasew
Dubnyk made the big saves to keep his team in the game and that was the difference, full stop.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
Fiance is an oilers fan
I’m never going to hear the end of this
Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cups: 2
Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cups: 0
That's all that matters.
Fiance means there is still time for you to get out with out losing half your shit.
by DrunkinAvsFan on Feb 1, 2012 12:58 AM MST up reply actions
Varlamov
I didn’t think Varlamov was as bad as the stats say. I think he deserves to the starter the rest of the way, or at least get half of the starts. I think Giguere is too slow laterally to be a starting goalie.
Here is my blog on the Avs, and the game tonight. Check it out: http://avshockeyblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/game-52-avs-oilers-same-ol-story-for-the-avs-lose-again/
Although we lost
Minny lost
Phoenix lost
Calgary lost
back to square one, coulda been worse.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
True do you think they will trade him? He doesn’t even need to play just sit on the bench
by DrunkinAvsFan on Feb 1, 2012 6:14 PM MST up reply actions
thank god everyone in the division lost…oh wait….damn it
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
That is the problem. This Sacco coached team can never capitalize on golden opportunities. They do the exact opposite.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Feb 1, 2012 9:17 AM MST up reply actions
And I thought over we were rough on our team ove at the C&B. While the Avalanche did he have lapses, the oilers were outplayed across the board tonight. Also, I wouldn’t absolve Varly on the Belanger goal, that was his second goal of the year, and I’m pretty sure his first he barely even touched, the man just doesn’t have it this year.
The Edmonton Oilers, keeping opposition fans happy for the last 6 years
Your username and avatar are fucking phenomenal. Holy cow
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
The Avatar doesn’t work for me….the BP logo is an analogous color scheme where as the Oilers logo uses a complimentary color scheme. The harmony is all messed up now…. ;-)
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 Feb 1, 2012 11:25 AM MST up reply actions
Fucking art teachers.
Go teach a kid to run or something, will ya?
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
I coach track as well, I run the kids enough. It’s those damn P.E. teachers that don’t do their jobs. All they do is roll out the balls instead of actually teaching the kids how to play the damn 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.
tap tap tap
I believe that your needle is stuck Canary.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
If a guy like Crosby does it...
Maybe Varly wasn’t great, but it must be tough to know that you have to always excel because your team can not score.
I remember Crosby saying, just before getting hurt, that he practiced all summer on his scoring touch and before getting hurt he was on fire! If a player like Crosby thinks he has to practice during the summer on his scoring abilities, I guess many in the Avs should do like him (looking at you Mr Stastny). I am tired of seeing players like Stastny missing the net, hitting the posts or shooting at the chest of the goaler.
Looking at the number of shots we get per games, it is astonishing that we do not have more goals. And this goes for Duchene also. If the players can not do it by themselves, lets Sakic open a scoring clinic during the summer. If you get paid as a sniper, damn make it a must to work on it!
Varly is only 23 years old and the team in front of him does not give him many opportunities to build confidence. This season is a festival of missed shots. At least, last year they were scoring in the first half.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think about the Stanley cup
I am not even thinking about making the playoffs
I would just like to see the team I love play passionate hockey...
he practiced all summer
I’m not going to pretend to question the work ethic on this team… but Crosby has a rabid dog mentatlity when it comes to how he works in the summer. He trains every facet of his game to become the very best. He’s not just uber talented, but he has the sickest work ethic of anyone in the NHL.
He spent the summer before that working on faceoffs… he’s always improving and growing… if there’s one thing that everyone can take from, it’s that talent can only get you so far you need that work ethic too.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
jibbles will get on me but shot totals don’t mean shit. The goalies in the NHL are now so good that you have to score dirty goals (screens, crash the net, etc.) The avs have exactly one guy IMO who does that consistently (hint- he’s a rookie). Those non-screened shots from the top of the circles are a joke. Look how edmonton scored their goals last night? The difference is shot QUALITY and WHO IS taking the shot. Stas is not a goal scorer, he’s a set-up guy, Stewart was a goal scorer so they had chemistry. Sakic buries the shots Stas misses (he doesn’t miss he just isn’t a pure goal scorer)
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:03 AM MST up reply actions
2 goals just isn’t good enough to win games, unless your goalie steals it.
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Feb 1, 2012 6:44 AM MST via iPhone app reply actions
Nope. No offensive “flair” from this team…but still getting tons of shots. Something has to give
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
That comment was brilliant Chia. I know the Avs are losing but it’s just not the same. The flair is gone and that is a combination of Duchene being out and the run and gun style being put to bed.
You know when you have a cold and at first everything feels like crap. Then maybe your headache goes away but your nose is running. Then part of your nose is better, but you headache is back. Then you develop a cough but your sinus pressure is better. That is how the Avs seems to me right now. It’s just not coming together. Itmight not this year and that’s fucking okay. I would love to have them in the playoffs, but it’s okay if they miss it. All the symptoms needs to fix themselves.
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.
I just don’t want another 2nd half tailspin. I’m OK with them missing the playoffs…but I want to see them play competitive hockey. And by competitive hockey I mean not getting close after sucking the first 45 minutes of a game.
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Well last night they only sucked in the first 15-20 minutes of the game…..for a change they played really well in the middle 20:00
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 Feb 1, 2012 10:10 AM MST up reply actions
how bout making a trade (even a minor one where we don’t give up core) to shakew things up?
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:05 AM MST up reply actions
Making a trade for the sake of trading can do as much harm as doing nothing, and sometimes worse.
Trades have to be meaningful, not a scare tactic…..
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 Feb 1, 2012 11:26 AM MST up reply actions
it has to make sense but trust me it does get the players attention. Most of these guys do not want to get traded. They have roots here, friends, etc. plus they take it as a sign (often) that they are not wanted. It’s not a moniker most guys want.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 12:13 PM MST up reply actions
Sacco's Lack of Maturity
Benching Gailardi for the entire second period? That really helped us get the win, Joe.
Imbecile.
Varly!
It sure as shit did. Kobasew played well in Gali’s spot. Galiarda’s penalty was S.T.U.P.I.D. He cross-checked Peckham in the face. Should he get a pat on the back and rewarded after putting his team on the PK for the remainder of the period? No. He sat the 2nd and as a result had legs in the third. You wanna beef Sacco on this one, nitpick that Galiardi didn’t get put back on SoS’ line.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
I don’t think he should have sat the whole period and when he did come back he should have been on the second line, not on the 4th.
The coaching decisions made in that game demonstrate why I don’t think the Avs can ever get back to the glory they used to have with this man as head coach. They can be successful, but not to the degree this fan base deserves.
Participating in a utopian bigamist societal experiment at the Can.
you know where I stand on sacco but mike’s correct. His problem is he doesn’t do that stuff enough. Gali (and Quincey-although I thought he played well last night) continues to take penalties, esp. high sticks, he’s a fucking dumbfuck, keep your stick down. The Avs can’t score so I guarantee you the staff is telling them to stay out of the box but each game the opposition gets more PP’s than us. One of the reasons we can’t win is b/c our PP (which has been very good) n ow sucks and we keep giving other teams lots of chances.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 10:50 AM MST up reply actions
He blatantly cross-checked a guy in the face. Was benching him the right choice? Maybe not, but Sacco wanted to send a message
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Feb 1, 2012 9:00 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
A childish message
“Gali, that was a horrible penalty—no ice time next period”
A more mature response “Gali, that was a horrible penalty, now get out there and make up for it”.
I agree—a very immature coaching decision. What would that do to your confidence?
Last time he was benched for a while, he came back playing amazingly.
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.
So why doesn’t he just play amazingly all of the time?
by Pinchy The Lobster on Feb 1, 2012 9:32 AM MST up reply actions
Why does my 5 year old still climb on my counter tops after I’ve put him in time-out? Kids are stupid and forget. These guys are really young, so time-out is probably still appropriate.
So what you’re saying… is that Sacco shouldn’t leave cookies in the goal crease.
I'll keep this brief.
At least he didn’t send Gali out to “kiss and make up”
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 Feb 1, 2012 10:14 AM MST up reply actions
You guys are talking like this is the first time that Galiardi’s ever done anything to earn a spot on the bench, and that this is the first time that Sacco’s ever dealt with Gally.
For all the speculation on how you’d handle the situation, Sacco has a 4-year relationship with the guy as his head coach. I’m pretty sure Sacco has seen Good Gally, Bad Gally, and Everywhere in Between Gally, and that he has a pretty good idea about how to handle him during games.
This building we’ve made from within should be condemned.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
Hi Bob!
Have you heard that I am on the fire Sacco bandwaggon? Yeah allright well anyways.
Your friend,
Pinchy
by Pinchy The Lobster on Feb 1, 2012 9:20 AM MST up reply actions
Dearest Pinchy,
I love your Raycroft avatar! I’m still on the fence on Skipper Joe. But I’d love to give Enos an enema with a gallon of tabasco sauce!
I’ve missed your presence around here. Mike is so serious and grumpy, and DDC just doesn’t seem to care any more.
Your friend,
Bob
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 Feb 1, 2012 9:34 AM MST up reply actions
Dear Bob,
I am having second thoughts about this young teen boy band camp I am at. About leaving and coming home, that is.
Sincerely,
Pinchy
PS: Try using Blair’s Ultra Death Sauce for the enema if the opportunity arises.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Feb 1, 2012 5:19 PM MST up reply actions
In the next 30 games I’m guessing the Avs will continue their 3pt game or cold streak persona. They should end up with 84 to 86 points.
That is, unless a goaltender stand on their head and wills the team to wins they don’t deserve.
Which goalie is more capable of doing that at this point? I think the answer is clearly Jiggy. Varley is too inconsistant with this game to make that happen right now.
I'll keep this brief.
I’ve read this entire thread now and all the goalie talk is overblown. You look at the Anaheim game and they give Ryan 2 breakaways and he scores, not a shock. That’s not giggy’s fault. Varly desperartely needs a goalie coach, that’s just a fact I think we can all agree on. He’s never really played even one season as the main man so what can we expect?
They are not going to win regardless scoring 2 goals a game. This team is not designed to win a lot of 1-0, 2-1 games, period. Stas, Duke, Jones have disappeared and we are not going to win unless those guys wake up. How bout a trade? A real one who will shake things up? Stas and Hejda for Carter (in my dreams). But you get the point.
I’m not going to get any support but Sacco sucks, they came out flat again IMO. That said, regardless of your views on Sacco, maybe it’s time for a fresh voice to just shake things up a little. Maybe call up Olver to replace DVG or someone.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 10:58 AM MST up reply actions
VDG has played well so I don’t think the solution is to replace him with Olver. Olver showed fairly decent chemistry when he played with Duchene and unfortunately, Duchene is injured.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:07 AM MST up reply actions
I’m also iffy about Carter for two reasons. That is one hefty contract, and how he has played with Rick Nash. That being said, he is a shooter. We see the chaos Mules causes because he’s a shooter, we need another shooter.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:09 AM MST up reply actions
We have fewer shooters than the ones that killed JFK. (too soon?)
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 Feb 1, 2012 11:12 AM MST up reply actions
agreed, but this is another problem I have with Sacco. Mix it up a little, Jones and Duke are doing nothing. Maybe try some different line combos, etc.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:15 AM MST up reply actions
like I said or someone else, he might help the offense and I don’t know who else they have in m inors can?
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:09 AM MST up reply actions
therein lies the problem. This would be the perfect time to call up a healthy Hishon. I wouldn’t mind seeing Mauldin up, he has some nice speed. Throw him up there with Stastny, see what he can do.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:10 AM MST up reply actions
hate to say it (gulp) but how bout benching Duke for a couple games? they need to do something. Carter’s cap hit is 5.2M for a proven 30-40 goal scorer, that’s not bad, esp. when compared to SOS. The term sucks (9 years left) but the cap hit not too bad IF he performs.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:13 AM MST up reply actions
to me benching the captain seems like it might be counter productive. im sure hejduk knows he needs to do more but what kind of message does this send the rest of the team?
Have another donut!
that no matter who you are you don’t play if you don’t perform. He has what? 2 goals in last 26 games? The only leverage a coach has is ice time.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:21 AM MST up reply actions
Hey
I’ll be the first to admit this is small sample size here, but Stastny has heated up as of recently:
8 points in his last even games. 9 in nine
The Avs record in those games: 3-4 in 7… 3-5-1 in 9.
Stastny’s lack of production has been a problem this season, but since the beginning of the year: that ain’t it.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 11:14 AM MST up reply actions
I think with him it’s a matter of him stepping up when it counts, like Sakic did. He was invisible to me last night. He will produce pts but like I said now we are getting nothing out of Duke, Jones, etc.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:17 AM MST up reply actions
Stastny is a setup guy, he set up a goal last night. Hejduk and Jones score goals, where were the goals?
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
He didn’t exactly set up a goal last night. Secondary assists are often pretty weak. I guess his center ice dump was part of the goal, but saying he set it up is kind of stretching it.
you beat me to it, a 2nd assist which really had nothing to do with the goal.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:22 AM MST up reply actions
Not only that, but Stats had some momentum killing turnovers in the 3rd last night. There were a few occasions where the O’Reilly line was putting pressure on Edmonton in their zone, only to see the Stats line come out and puke that pressure away. Not what you’d expect from your “number one” center.
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 Feb 1, 2012 11:25 AM MST up reply actions
we have too many finesse guys, that’s so obvious. We need a PF type like stewart again (a Benn or Hartnell type, Claude Lemieux?), the team needs that element.
Stas is sooo soft and easy to play against, he’s not the type of guy who’s going to lift all summer and come out meaner IMO. They can’t trade him now tho b/c of that contract and his current decline.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:30 AM MST up reply actions
I disagree with the Stastny comment. He has been much more physical this year than he has been in the past. Playing with Winnik seemed like it inspired him to be physical.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:31 AM MST up reply actions
compared to Mike Richards or Getlaf or Thornton or Kesler?
Those guys keep puck possession and use their size. If you look at the top guys there’s a trend, size. Perry, Ryan, Nash, Spezza, Marleau, etc. etc. all pretty big guys. If he had Kane skill then that would be different. Duchene can play that way, Stas gets neutralized fairly easily IMO.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:35 AM MST up reply actions
He uses his body fairly well. He can also protect the puck well, albeit not a flashy as Duchene can protect the puck, he gets the job done. He also works the cycle pretty well. He can’t just magically grow a couple more inches and add on 20 points to add size, he has to work with what he has, which are decently soft hands and great passing skills.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:41 AM MST up reply actions
I think if you watch the next game you’ll see once a d-man pins him against boards he’s off the puck. Getlaf battles thru and plays keep away. Stas just doesn’t have an aggressive nature IMO, Richards is about the same size but a totally different player/personality.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:47 AM MST up reply actions
yeah, Mike Richards is so aggressive he is dirty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFuCbzmBaL0
If you meant Brad Richards then you are crazy (but it’s a safe assumption that you meant mike).
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:52 AM MST up reply actions
Last I checked hockey is not hula-hoops. We NEED a player or two like that (not a chronic offender). Rememebr what Claude did to draper, so he can’t stay on the team. I’m telling you, toughness is what the Avs lack. There’s no way hartnell has more skill than stas but he will score more b/c of size and toughness.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:56 AM MST up reply actions
No, Hartnell scores that much because his most common linemates are Giroux and Jagr. He does get to the dirty areas (which Stastny does this year too) but he doesn’t score because he is mean or tough, he scores because he is aggressive. I disagree that we need a dirty player on our team.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 12:45 PM MST up reply actions
Geez if there’s absolutly one thing that Stastny’s done this season: it’s keep puck possession.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 12:59 PM MST up reply actions
He wasn’t particularly good at that last night, imo.
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 Feb 1, 2012 1:00 PM MST up reply actions
I have no idea, specifically, about last night(was at a concert). In general this season, he’s kept possession very well.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 1:03 PM MST up reply actions
Last night he seemed to turn it over consistently. I think it was early in the second he threw a pass behind defense that went directly to an Edmonton player. The defenseman was only about 10 feet away too.
Stats just was not on his game last night.
My brother and I used to say that drowning in beer was like heaven, eh. Now he's not here and I got two soakers, this isn't heaven, this sucks.
I don’t remember that, but I may have bias. I know my notes had a few instances of “good net drive by SoS”, “good feed from SoS”, “good read by SoS”, “Good forecheck by SoS” though.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
On Edmonton’s 3rd goal, Kobasew steals the puck deep in Edmonton’s end, it goes to Stastny who then promptly coughs it up to Smid. Edmonton rushes up the ice, Stastny (and Kobasew) decide that’s a pretty good time to coast to the bench for a line change, and VDG (and Cody Mac) hop on just in time to pick up a minus. Good times!
Yep, that line change by Kobasew killed me. Absolutely killed me. Puck is still in the offensive zone, he turns his back to the play and coasts from the offfensive blue line all the way back to his bench (which is the long change) while the puck is getting turned over behind him and coming back. Didn’t want to blast him because Mac and VDG did get back but were obviously in distress (aren’t they always?)
I'll keep this brief.
I realize this isn’t what you’re doing, but the complaint about Stastny was that he had possession a lot, but he wasn’t producing a ton of points. Well part of those “points” that weren’t coming were those cheap points too. Recently they have been.
(Specifically I can remember quite a few plays where Stastny did great work, dug pucks out of corners, etc)to help create goals and then not get a point out of them.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 12:57 PM MST up reply actions
So it doesn’t count now? That’s swell since we aren’t doing well.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 1:00 PM MST up reply actions
Double standards are still standards, Jibbles.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
I hope we can get November dropped from our record, Avs are outstanding in games outside of November, and in games they win.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 1, 2012 1:15 PM MST up reply actions
He’s finally had a teammate that isn’t as inept as Jones has been… Stastny’s brought it lately.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
I’m really starting to think Landy would be good on Stas line, he would forecheck and get the puck to stas and crash the net, plus he’s a shooter.
Maybe the following
Landy- Stas-Mueller
Dutchy- Radar-Duke
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:27 AM MST up reply actions
We really are missing Duchene
1. Even though his production is down, he is either playing against the other teams top D that leaves the other lines to play against lower skilled defensemen, or he himself is playing against them and can get some things done.
2. Our power play depth is extremely depleted and our power play as a whole is much worse without him.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
there’s no question, esp. with Mueller back we should be pretty solid on top 6 for sure. I would put him with Duke and Mueller when he comes back and somehow try to get Jones going on stas’s line.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:19 AM MST up reply actions
so you envision this?
Jones-Stas-Gali
Mules-Duchene-Hejduk (yay reunions)
Landy-Radar-Winnik? (yay reunion)
VDG-McC-Suba
I might have to agree with you…
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:30 AM MST up reply actions
Might also keep Duchene at wing and have….
Mueller-Stas-Hejduk
Landy-O’Reilly-Duchene
Jones-Gali-Winnik
VDG-McC-Kobasu
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 Feb 1, 2012 11:33 AM MST up reply actions
this, but per above put Landy in place of Duke
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:37 AM MST up reply actions
interesting
Sacco seems to like putting Stastny between a gritty guy and a pillow, so why not let Landeskog be the gritty one for a while? I know he’s loathe to split apart the Land’O’Reilly goodness but come on, something has to give, this team has to score goals.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
we will never know until we try it. For the record, I’m not a fan of the change, because he works so well with Radar, but we might as well go all in and try it.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:42 AM MST up reply actions
Out of the playoffs with draft pick poverty, nothing to lose eh?
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
since they will save a bunch of money on a 1st and 2nd rd pick next year how bout pick up a player via trade and go for it? There will be guys available they can get without giving up core who would help.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:53 AM MST up reply actions
I’m pro-Ruutu
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Feb 1, 2012 11:54 AM MST up reply actions
he would help, that’s for sure. How bout Jones as part of a trade b/c I don’t think he’ll be here anyway next year and he’s a FA. How bout Jones/Hejda for Pacioretty or Cole. Then we make a serious run at a top 4 Dman in FA class.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:59 AM MST up reply actions
that was my point, Landy I think will actaully score more with Stas, he’s a better set-up man than Radar (I think). Plus, I really like the 2nd line like that. you might get something from that 3rd too. I’m tired of gali conversation on top 2 lines, he’s third line or 4th line player.
by the cool breeze on Feb 1, 2012 11:52 AM MST up reply actions
Why are the TV cameras in Edmonton on the side not facing the benches? As far as I can tell, this is the only arena in which this is the case. And it annoys the hell out of me.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
Ya I noticed that too. I don’t like it
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Feb 1, 2012 3:06 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
EDM is the only rink in the league in which the benches are on the wrong side of the ice.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
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