Avalanche at Blackhawks, Game 42 preview
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 6, 2012 9:16 AM MST
in Avalanche Previews
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The Chicago Blackhawks haven't fared too well lately. After sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference, Chicago dropped two in a row, going 6-4 in the last ten, and yielded that top spot to Vancouver. Last night's 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers was particularly tough; the Hawks saw a 2-1 advantage quickly disappear with 3 unanswered goals within 4 minutes. A third period rally could not save them.
The Avalanche, on the other hand, is one of the NHL's hottest teams right now. With an 8-2 record in the last ten games and a three-game winning streak, it's clear things are clicking for the boys. The scoring is coming across the lines, and the goaltending has been rock solid. Needless to say, confidence is high in the locker room.
The Blackhawks will be without Daniel Carcillo tonight as he serves the second of his seven-game suspension for his hit on Tom Gilbert on Monday. Steve Montador and Marcus Kruger are out due to injuries. Unsurprisingly, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are driving the offense for Chicago lately; both are riding three-game point streaks.
Ryan Wilson joined the Avs on the road trip, but it doesn't look like he'll play. Semyon Varlamov is in net for the burgundy and blue. The two teams have met twice before this season, splitting the decisions with one win apiece.
Chuck Kobasew and Gabriel Landeskog on the team's recent success and facing Chicago:
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HAIL!
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
SO pissy that I don’t get to cover this game tonight. Sunday’s game (Hawks/Wings) will probably be my last (unless I can weasel my way into another station or market) since our AM station is changing formats to Spanish…and our FM station has already made it clear that they will not be doing any sports coverage.
CRAPPPPPP!
But Go Avs!!
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
That sucks! I’m so sorry. You still have a job, though, right?
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 6, 2012 9:55 AM MST up reply actions
At the moment yes…I was told I was safe because I am still needed on the FM station. But I have trouble believing anything our management says, because they are…well…management
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Radio is fickle.
In Denver we went from having zero FM sports stations to three. It got real competitive very quickly. 104.3 kind of blazed the way and syndicated everything until about 1pm with Rome, ESPN stuff etc… So a local sports personality “Lou from Littleton” broke in to the market on the AM dial and marketed the HELL out of how The Fan was a sellout by syndicating to all the national coverage when our local hero Lou from Littleton would save our sports souls with local talk. The Ticket got some pretty good names on board, got on to FM 102.3 and cornered the local morning sports talk. At the beginning of the year he sold out to ESPN and everyone in local programing got punted so he could carry Mike & Mike, Cowherd etc… So now, back to 104.3 the fan. They still suck ass at hockey talk but at least there’s Sandy after 6pm. Point being, unless you’re on a crew with a syndicated broadcast, it seems like there’s a lot of shuffling in that business.
I'll keep this brief.
Oh, I am aware of that, and it’s part of the business you simply have to understand to get into it. I’m not too bummed because I still have a job (and if they fired me, I’d have no choice but to move on). I’m just bummed because the hockey “perk” was extremely fun
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
There are two major ones…but Blackhawks talk is hard to find…though it comes up more than it used to. THe Bears still rule all here
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Pretty funny how that all happened with The Ticket
But in the end I think we’re better off.
I will gladly listen to Mike Evans and Joel Klatt in the morning over what else was available. As much as I enjoyed Vic and Gary’s self deprecating humor, their rare hockey coverage ended up being bitching about fighting and nothing else.
Evans and Klatt actually asked O’Reilly some hockey-related questions the other morning and didn’t resort to, “So, why isn’t the NHL as popular as reruns of HeeHaw?”
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
Hee Haw is back in reruns? What channel?
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 6, 2012 11:06 AM MST up reply actions
Klatt did ask some sort of question about athletes in other sports he picked up training tips from. I’m surprised he didn’t throw in “real sports.”
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 6, 2012 1:59 PM MST up reply actions
The Twitterers
Say Varly in net for what will be his career-high 28th game in one season.
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
He should be. He has been good lately.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Jan 6, 2012 10:27 AM MST up reply actions
This fact is honestly very amazing to me. After tonight it will be 28 games played for Varly and it’s only early January?? Once again I wonder what the heck the Caps medical/training staff was doing with him. I’m really glad that he hasn’t really been injured this season other than that minor back thing.
That’s what Moser has said.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 6, 2012 2:40 PM MST up reply actions
Chicago played a tough tough loss last night in Philly, either they come out tired and we can whip em, or they’ll come out extra motivated and then we’re fucked
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 6, 2012 10:00 AM MST reply actions
Kobasew far better at interviews than playing hockey, yet his interviews are terrible. What’s that say about his hockey?
it says you havent been watching the same kobasew
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 6, 2012 10:06 AM MST up reply actions 3 recs
I think Kobasew is a fine 3rd line winger.
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.
And has been since about game 10…he didn’t start well, but has been a very dependable player lately
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
good on the pk too
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 6, 2012 10:53 AM MST up reply actions
He absolutely sucked at the beginning of the year he’s been pretty good lately.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 6, 2012 10:36 AM MST up reply actions
Kobario feeling the Kobalove?
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 6, 2012 1:54 PM MST up reply actions
Kobaru is Kobacool
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Jan 6, 2012 1:55 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
I read this and background porn music started playing in my head and I swear I heard Isaac Hayes’ voice
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
OH YEAH ...
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 6, 2012 2:00 PM MST up reply actions
DDC
You have some explaining to do.
ryan lambert @twolinepass
guy who wrote that headline is named dave carignan, and i dont know who he is. seems like a great person tho!
http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dave%20Carignan
????
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 saw that too, I’m sure that’s a different Dave, since ours has another D.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 6, 2012 10:37 AM MST up reply actions
And our Dave has a hyphenated name. It’s all about the hyphen.
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 6, 2012 11:10 AM MST up reply actions
Is that his Boston doppelganger? We all have one. DDC and DC, you and Joe, me and Andy Rooney, Stastny and Kopitar.
by DiD on Jan 6, 2012 10:41 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Interesting.
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.
BiB and Statler, DiD and Waldorf
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 6, 2012 10:47 AM MST up reply actions
Also curious
The celebration by the Swedes after beating Canada was nearly IDENTICAL to Landeskog’s celebration from the last Chicago game. Coincidence?
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...
Rumorville is that Chicago is in the market for a 2nd line center and a 6th D-man.
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/2012/01/06/nhl-trade-rumors-january-6-2012/
Immediately the fantasies in my mind erupted (nothing dirty!) and I concocted a Stastny + ROB + draft pick/prospect for Sharp. I know, will never happen. But what would you do?
Small defencemen? What small defencemen?
Hawks don’t need a 6th D man…they need a healthy Montador. As for the 2nd line center, they might need one of those (with Kruger concussed)…but they aren’t giving up Sharp
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Even for Stastny? It fits the need for need mold pretty well. Aside from fan-side love for Sharp, does the addition of STastny in his place make the team better or worse?
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.
Sharp is a corner-stone, a guy whose contract they extended…he is LOVED in the locker-room, and is considered quite a leader. Plus the Hawks don’t really need another “playmaker” per say…they need guys who shoot, and Sharp is one guy who shoots first, passes 2nd
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
by chiavsfan on Jan 6, 2012 11:16 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Fair enough. That was the answer I was looking for.
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.
Lebrun says they’re looking for a 4/5 defenseman. How about this – Scott Hannan? Easy contract, UFA, Calgary doesn’t need him. But he did get hurt, apparently, in last night’s game.
Sharp’s a funny story. Look at his history. He just sort of exploded one year. Chicago didn’t give up that much for him.
In fact, he reminds me a lot of Jones in his story.
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.
2007 was a big year for him. And honestly, I don’t know how much Chicago wants to mess with their core; they aint exactly doormats this year. But to get a proven 2nd line center, especially one that Coach Q has coached before and knows… stranger things have happened (see Stewart, Chris).
Small defencemen? What small defencemen?
New lines
Chambers says that Jones is up with Gally on Stastny’s line. Winnik back to the 3rd with Square Peg.
So, the guy that is going to put the puck in the net on that line is someone who hasn’t been putting the puck in net yet this year. Cycle down low and set up the defense boys!
I'll keep this brief.
Jones had better games is Anaheim and LA, hopefully he’ll sink one soon and get back on track
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 6, 2012 10:54 AM MST up reply actions
I really like those lines.
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.
He needs to park his ass in front of the crease on the offensive end, and play some responsible defense. That’s what will keep him on Stastny’s line and return him to the good graces of MHH.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 6, 2012 11:04 AM MST up reply actions
I did a quick survey of Jones goals this year, and I think I’m seeing something (small sample size be damned). Jones has scored against OTT, MON (2), TOR, CHI, CAL, and PIT. With the exception of Calgary, these are teams that were willing to run and gun with the Avs. The first 4 goals were on the East Coast road trip in October. Chicago is always willing to run with the Avs, making for some very entertaining games. Pittsburgh was willing to run with the Avs for the first period (when Jones scored), then clamped down and destroyed the Avs. Only against Calgary did he score on a Western Conference team in a tight checking game, and even then, the team was trying to run early, and nearly came back once they started playing possession. Jones’ goal was on a tip in front of the net after some good high-low and a D-to-D pass.
Jones likes to run. He scored lots of goals last year when the team was running. He didn’t stop running at the beginning of the year, and Sacco dumped him to the 4th line. He’s worked his way back up, but he still needs to play a more controlled game to stay and be successful.
Sacco wants to play more possession, and it’s starting to work.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 6, 2012 12:26 PM MST up reply actions
Eh, I think that’s trying too hard.. It’s as simple as Jones needs to shoot the puck imo.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
by SteveHouse on Jan 6, 2012 1:42 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
He has to touch the puck to shoot it, and he just isn’t getting open right now. So, if he plants his ass in the slot and keeps his stick down, he’ll get some action (that came out wrong).
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
(that came out wrong).
So did that.
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 6, 2012 2:17 PM MST up reply actions
What does Roy playing the puck have to do with making saves, even if he sucked ass at it? He always played better in net when he could be active and get out of the crease to play a puck here and there.
I bring this up because Jones plays his best hockey when he’s finishing his checks. It doesn’t have anything to do with a wrist shot but he just gets more involved and helps his focus or something. If he’s hitting to start the game then Jones will generally have a good night on the ice.
I'll keep this brief.
There is a thing that I don't like about Sacco at all
When he changes his strategy he changes it for all 4 lines. For Howard’s sake, let the Stastny’s line with Galiardi and Jones play some run and gun. I understand that this tactic is not working when whole team plays it, but one line that is most suited for this can do that and maybe it will have it’s dividends.
/rant
I think it creates problems for the defensive pairing if you don’t have your forwards doing basically the same things no matter who you end up on the ice with. If you’re expecting a controlled breakout and the wings are actually sprinting toward the opposite end, you’re screwed. I really think this has been the cause of the Oct/Nov swoon. Success in December is because the team is playing one system.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 6, 2012 11:29 AM MST up reply actions
Obviously, I don’t know strategical part of the game as well as you do.
Hm, can’t Sacco just let Stastny’s line to play run and gun when Quincey and Elliot are with them? Once again, I don’t know hockey strategy, but it seems that we are just misusing Jones (And Stastny, remember Porter’s goal against Phoenix? This is the ideal situation for Stastny’s passing skill). He was scoring in Oct/Nov.
You prefaced this by saying this is something you dislike about Sacco. It would be very hard to have different pairings playing different styles with different lines. The team has to be a team and play as one.
Sacco seems to be instituting a hybrid-counterattack/defensive style. It’s actually pretty interesting because he has the defense and forwards playing a specific style (which is working) and putting in place a similar counterattack/run and gun style which dwarfs into puck possession in the offensive zone. That’s a very complicated, highly advanced, style of play. The Avs can do it with their speed but it will yield offensive totals similar to the Red Wings and Bruins, not Vancouver and Philly.
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.
BTW, is there any book or guide on hockey strategy? I am Avalanche fan since 1996, but you know, Sakic, Forsberg and co needed no strategy to go out and kill teams every night, so I’m pretty weak in the strategy department.
To be fair, that’s my interpretation of what he’s doing. I could be totally wrong, but I am seeing a very advance style of play and it seems to be working lately.
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 agree, when I along with others were calling for sacco’s removal earlier this season, one of the things I noted was that the run n gun style was hit or miss and the defensive liability this system created, killed us. So I suggested that, from my unprofessional armchair observations, this team was better suited to play a puck possession/counter-attack style of play. Never thought I would see sacco adjust his system like this but to his credit he has and it has paid dividends so far. Also to the teams credit they have to each buy into the system 100% and be very disciplined at all times.
I think this is kind of what Stoll was alluding to in that interview a few days back.
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 6, 2012 12:52 PM MST up reply actions
I noticed it after watching the Ducks and Kings game. There was a stark change. This also might explain why Duchene has been underperforming. He succeed off the rush with his speed in a run and gun game (Dallas), but now he has to learn to use his speed and quickness in a possession game. He has the ability to for sure, but I think he needs more time with it. The possession strategy might also explain Radar’s increased output because he was able to adapt quicker to the offensive zone game plan.
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.
Totally OT
I’m super excited about the new Supernatural tonight. What happened to my Bobby?!?!?!?!
It's all about Winnik
They killed Bobby off, but don’t worry in the last episode of the show you will find out that the whole series was just one big dream and Bobby’s wife will wake up and Bobby will be in the shower.
Bonus points to who ever can name the show that this is from.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
LOL
But, he isn’t dead yet holds our hope. Seriously. What is it with this show and killing peeps off!? They already killed him once.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 6, 2012 3:17 PM MST up reply actions
I’m still a little sore about Castiel getting all exploded, but at least there’s a better chance of him coming back than if they knock off Bobby.
That's no moon...
I liked Castiel at first, but I kinda lost interest in him being “bad”.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 6, 2012 5:27 PM MST up reply actions
Dallas.
I thought you were like 20 or something, how did you know this?
by DiD on Jan 6, 2012 3:49 PM MST up reply actions
I actually knew that too, not because I’ve ever seen the show, but because I’m a bit of a TV/movie trivia junkie. It happens.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
I really hope they didn’t kill Bobby off. Dean’s going to lose it if they did.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
I'm going to lose it if they do.
They already killed their pops off… I really don’t want to lose Bobby. hahaha
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 6, 2012 5:15 PM MST up reply actions
Head injury. Slow return.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
by SteveHouse on Jan 6, 2012 4:37 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
I am surprised DDC has not put the live game thread up. Last game he had that going about 5 hours before the game started.
1.1 hours to go, god please let the next hour go by quickly.
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
Can we get a countdown clock on the preview thread for when the live thread will be posted?
Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean
It’s usually one hour before game time.
It's all about Winnik
by Sandie Gauthier on Jan 6, 2012 5:30 PM MST up reply actions
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