Game 82: Avalanche 4, Wild 3 (SO)
by Joe Dunman on Apr 7, 2008 7:00 AM MDT
in NHL News
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photo courtesy of David Zalubowski
If there are only two things that we've learned from this ridiculous roller coaster of a season, they are: 1) Jose Theodore is money in the shootout, and 2) Peter Forsberg is money every time he touches the ice. Both of those things made the 4-3 Avalanche shootout victory over the Wild yesterday possible. Unfortunately, there are no shootouts in the playoffs and Foppa might be a ticking time bomb. But whatever.
The victory gave the Avalanche two points, more than enough to jump Calgary in the standings and claim the sixth playoff seed, so the game was essentially a preview of the Minnesota-Colorado first-round series that starts on Wednesday. That's good for the Avs, since they won.
All the points in regulation were scored by Forsberg (3a), Milan Hejduk (1g, 1a), Joe Sakic (1g, 1a) and Paul Stastny (1g, 1a). Sakic also scored in the shootout along with Wojtek "Seriously, Bench Me Again" Wolski, who also led the team with four hits. Theodore stopped 34 of 37 shots (and both he faced in the shootout).
The Avs scored two power play goals on three chances. That's impossible to comprehend.
Marian Gaborik had a rough night, literally, drawing simultaneous roughing penalties from both Cody McLeod and Ian Laperriere in the third period during a scrum between the teams. Lappy had Gaborik's number all night long, and even ticked him off so much that Gaborik tried to sucker punch him at the end of overtime and the two got into a brief boxing match. The refs broke it up, which is good for the Wild ace because he's no fighter. Hopefully Coach Q plays Lappy's line against Gaborik's throughout the first round series, because Lappy had no trouble shutting him down.
The Avs finish the season with the exact same record they finished with last season: 44-31-7. It's the third season in a row that they've finished with 95 points. Apparently that's all Coach Q's good for.
I'll be recapping the regular season and previewing the first round matchup between the Avs and the Wild today and tomorrow. Woo hoo.
Stars of the Game:
- Joe Sakic (1g, 1a)
- Jose Theodore (34sv, .919)
- Peter Forsberg (0g, 3a)
Kittens Killed: 
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Avs outplayed the Wild for the most part and still barely won. It came down to lapses (Finger and Theo)
Finger had a terrible game. God knows what he was doing on that first goal, but it wasn't anything close to the right thing. He nearly caused a goal on a dump a couple of minutes into the game. Standing around with out a stick was enough to hurt my brain. The puck left the zone and came back in for Keith Carney to score his ONLY goal of the year while Finger stood with his Finger up his butt.
Finger has been a good physical guy for us, but these mistakes won't fly in the playoffs.
Also, bench Arnason. Foppa for prez.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Apr 7, 2008 8:20 AM MDT reply actions
Ehhh
I'll take those miscues in a nearly meaningless game at the end of the season, especially since he's been so good for us all season
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 7, 2008 8:45 AM MDT up reply actions
Re: Ehhh
Yeah, considering how solid he's been all year, I think he's allowed one or two bad games. Especially ones that the team wins anyway.
I dunno
He has been having miscues all year. Most of those come from over aggresive play. I can handle those from a developing defenseman, but he needs to be smarter in the playoffs. I like Finger over Leopold due to his edge, but if he slips up more I have no problem throwing Leo into the games.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Apr 7, 2008 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions
I disagree
With all due respect I completely disagree with your assessment. Finger did what he's been coached to do, not leave his position unless he can safely change. His judgement was that he couldn't safely change and he stayed on the ice. No forward gave him their stick and he got stuck in no mans land. It's happened to the best of players. Should he have gone down to block it? Then I guess you can accuse him of not being very creative.
Finger has been a total blessing on the right side. It's night and day compared to last year when Klee and Brisebois anchored that side of the ice. He has a good stick, leads all the defensemen in goals scored and he's the most physical defenseman the Avs have had all year. The guy we expected with Hannan and his huge contract. He's rarely out of position and he makes quality clears out of his own zone without causeing scoring chances. I mean, if I had to critique Finger for anything it would be that he doesn't like to be first to the puck. He lets forwards get touches first and then likes to pinch them off the puck. But he's YOUNG to the NHL. With more time he will learn to get even better. I'm basically shocked you have that opinion of his game. Hell, the guy even plays hurt and will fight. I mean he's like the antithesis of Brisebois. How damn lucky are the Avalanche to have a guy like that.
Worried
He's the player going into Free Agency I am most worried about losing this offseason.
He has been excellent all season long, and the Avs need to make him their #1 FA priority, maybe second behind Theo (did I just say that?)
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 7, 2008 11:44 AM MDT up reply actions
Re: Worried
Let's hold off on the re-sign Theo talk until the playoffs are done. He still hasn't earned his job yet in my mind.
well fine
Finger is >>>> Klee AND Brisebois combined. I do like him, you can look at my comments last year even to see that I wanted him playing.
That doesn't mean he did not make incredibley dipshit decisions in the prime up game for the playoffs. I realize he is young. I am just saying it is time for him to man up for the playoffs. Just one of his three mistakes (including the no stick play, the PK where he skated AWAY from his man, and the first missed touch play in the NHL.com hilights) last night can cost a game against the Wild trap.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Apr 7, 2008 6:15 PM MDT up reply actions
Little factoid
Go to the NHL website and look at scoring stats. Sort them by points per game. See who is first, by a large margin. I know it is a small sample size, but sheesh, how fricken amazing is number 21? And I used to talk about this with friends, but if the league were to keep a stat on primary versus secondary assists, my guess is that number 21 would look even more impressive.
OK, I'll get out of Foppa worship mode for a while now. At least until he wins the Conn Smythe as the Avs win the Cup.
Re: Little factoid
I'll talk more about Forsberg in my recap of player performances, but you're dead-on. He's incredible. You look at kids like TJ Hensick and David Jones---these very talented young players with a lot of promise---and it only took Foppa nine games to surpass their points totals.
Even old, rusty and on life support Peter Forsberg is one of the best players in the NHL.
Don't forget
Minnesota did have their back up in. Barring some freak injury to Backstrom i don't think Harding will get much Ice Time.
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