I'm pretty exited about tonights game because I've missed a few while being in Los Angeles during Thanksgiving.  I really want to watch Richardson and McCormick play (hopefully they do).  I want to see how this group of guys react after a bag skate practice by Q.

In other good news, I've totally forgotten about the Avalanche uniforms at this point.

Highlight of my vacation was that my Chinese father-in-law bought a navigation system.  It became clear right away that the only reason he bought it was so he could argue with "the map lady".  It was a source of endless entertainment.  Oh, and also listening to him complain about the Wii and how it didn't know a good golf swing from a bad one.  Good times.

I won't be live blogging full time after all, it seems.  I'm splitting my attention between a household project and the game tonight, so look for sporadic posts from me.

I will be keeping a close eye on the game, though.

Unless, of course, it's 4-0 Edmonton at the end of the first period.

The Avalanche looks like a completely different team tonight.  So far so good!

They're getting chance after chance, and Clark and Hejduk already have a goal apiece.

Coach Q's tie looks much better tonight.

I don't want to jinx them, but the Avs are showing great defensive positioning tonight, as well.  They seem to be in the right place at the right time all over the ice.

With the exception of that one wide-open flub by the Oilers, of course.

Scott Hannan just punked out Stortini.  He was all like "what's up, bro?" and Stortini was all like "oh no you didn't" and then Hannan said "what you gonna do about it?"

Arnason just got called for holding.  First power play of the game with just two minutes left in the first period.

I'd say that was a slight improvement over the past few games.  Colorado looks like the Avs of old tonight.

The Avs get a PP chance, but Haynes makes an interesting point about the Avs being 0/16 on the season against the Oilers with the man advantage.

That's pretty sad.

This one looks to make it 0/17.

Where did Svatos get that huge slap shot?

That was the best blast from the point I've seen from an Avalanche player all season!

Paul Stastny might not have been born in Czechoslovakia (his dad was), but he plays best with guys who were.  Milan Hejduk has a goal and 2 assists tonight.  Stastny has two assists.  Hlinka has one.

Very nice.

Great pass from Sakic to Wolski, great shot!

Avs up 4-0!

Another good PK for the Avs, and now the Avs go on the power play.

There's less than 2 minutes left in the period, though.

After the less-than-optimistic preview, I wasn't planning on watching the game, but I've been hooked for a while now.

I can't believe the Avs already have 36 shots on goal.  The second period's not even over yet.

Dwayne Roloson got chased.  The Oilers have switched their tenders.

Budaj doesn't get a shutout tonight, but the Avs still have a 3-goal lead with just ten minutes left.

The Oilers get a screened tip in the slot off a big slap shot, make it 4-2.

Just five minutes left, but the Avs aren't playing like they did in the first two periods, that's for sure.

This looks eerily similar to last year's team.

Let's get an empty-netter!

Finally, the Avs look like themselves again.  Great win, but bear in mind it was against Edmonton.

The next game against San Jose will be the true test.

It was win 500 for the Avs as a Denver franchise.

Stars:

Brett Clark
Joe Sakic
Milan Hejduk