A Must-Post Topic

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 2:09 PM MDT in News Comment 25 comments

Okay, I know most of the comments here are meant in good humor and with a gentle nudge to the ribs, but I want to clarify my use of certain terminology just to make sure I'm not misunderstood.

As several illustrious MHH members have pointed out, I have used the term "must-win" on a fairly regular basis to describe the last several Avalanche games. Those illustrious members disagree with my terminology mostly because the season is still so young. Apparently some of you consider the last five divisional games as somehow not a big deal---as if losing all of them would have been okay.

While I understand that I could call every game just about anything I wanted and it really wouldn't matter, I don't want everyone to think I'm just throwing words around. I honestly do consider every game against a Northwest Division rival to be a must-win game, for two reasons:

Every point counts. Anyone remember last season?

Two points over a division rival counts for far more since the current eight-game-each scheduling system persists.

The Avalanche will play 32 games against division rivals this season, which is a large percentage of their schedule. The more games they win, the better position they'll be in to make the playoffs, but at the same time, the worse off their rivals will be.

I also specifically called the last two games against the Wild "must-wins" because the Wild still had a fairly dominant lead over the Avalanche in the standings. Sure, it's only two points now, and it was only four points then, but had the Avs kept losing and the Wild kept winning, the lead could easily be eight points. Compound that over the course of a season and the Avalanche could find themselves again in fourth place in the division (or worse) and out of the playoffs. I think I might just toss myself off of something very high if that happens again.

Also bear in mind that the Avalanche, prior to playing Edmonton, hadn't won a single game on the road. That 2-4 record they now enjoy could easily be 0-6. They could be 5-6 overall. Those last two road games were critical to keeping the Avs in a strong divisional standing as well as building their confidence as a team. When you've gone 0-4 on the road early in the season, the next road game IS a must-win!

Hopefully, even if you disagree with me (which of course is allowed and encouraged), you can see my reasoning.

And if you can't, well, I guess I just can't help you, you jerks.

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That was a must post

I'm with you Joe. The Avs need to get back to making the NW their bitch. Smoke the division and concentrate on your worst case scenario third seed.

Stop "finding yourselves" with this BS goalie rotation and just win. Stop playing coach favorite or doghouse games and handle this team like a business. Parker takes up a roster spot and gets 3 minutes of ice time? Smyth gets as many minutes as Wolski but can't come up with any redeeming offensive numbers? There's no one else the Avs can have on hand to contribute?

I don't care who Q thinks is in his dog house. I don't care who his pet projects are. I don't care what possibilities he might be imagining (If Boogard and Parker aren't going to go after Boogard takes a run at Guite then what the hell do we have him warming the bench for? I'm not saying Parker didn't try to get Boogard to go responsibly with only a 1 goal lead. I'm just saying, what's the difference if he's there or not?).

As a coach you need to look at the schedule and your lineup with some logical objectivity. I wonder if Q does that most of the time. For example, Skrastins horrid play last year never got him benched, moved off the line or anything. Q is supposed to be a defensive guru and he didn't see that?

What were we talking about again?

by Dario on Oct 29, 2007 2:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Big deal

I guess in my mind must-win is a hyperbole used a little too often for my taste. When it's used so much it diminishes the importance of truly must-win games, like game 3 of a 7 game series when you're down 2-0. THAT's must win, in my book.

But I won't argue that every game against the NW division is vitally important (as my own blog post mentions today). And really it is splitting atoms.

I know it's a small detail, but since when do you appreciate attention to detail ;)

Anyways, as you probably know, none of my comments should ever really be taken seriously.

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 29, 2007 2:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

damnit

When DON'T you appreciate attention to detail

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 29, 2007 2:50 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch

My feelings were sooooo hurt!

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 4:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brothers

Dario, you're my favorite.

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 4:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops

Crap, I meant SMITH, not Smyth. Makes way more sense that way.

by Dario on Oct 29, 2007 10:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smith

You know, I didn't even notice---I knew exactly who you were talking about.

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 30, 2007 4:07 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

this comment is a must-read

or maybe not.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Oct 29, 2007 3:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

ha!

Dirty bastard.

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 4:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You suckered me

I can't believe I just read that. That was a low down dirty trick. One I'd use in a heartbeat if I'd thought of it.

by Dario on Oct 29, 2007 3:25 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

this is ~~must read~~ awesome!

by thedoctor on Oct 29, 2007 3:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Feel special

I made this post just for you.

by Joe @ MHH on Oct 29, 2007 4:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I certainly see your viewpoint

I think in your case, you need to come up with a new term for the games down the stretch when the Avs are looking to clinch a playoff position or in a Game 7! ;-)

In my defense, I absolutely do not "consider the last five divisional games as somehow not a big deal---as if losing all of them would have been okay." That certainly is not me. But that doesn't mean that I classify every game as a "must-win" ;) It's a long season, and while I'd love to be in the division lead going into November, I'd much rather be there in March/April!

The every point counts logic, while painfully true for Avs fans, implies that each game is a "must-win." And I definitely won't argue that beating up on our own division are critical games throughout the season. It just seemed like it's a term that gets thrown around a lot, thats all :)

Now, I will apologize for splitting hairs a little here. Just wanted to get my piece in.

And btw, if we miss the playoffs by a single point again, I'll join you in jumping off that very, very high place.

by Brad on Oct 29, 2007 4:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs