Game 31: Avalanche 2, Predators 1
by Joe Dunman on Dec 14, 2007 6:50 AM MST
in News
13 comments
I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but Colorado got its defensive act together really quickly. Despite the loss on Wednesday, the Avs' d-men shut down the Blue Jackets pretty thoroughly, and we're ultimately undone by poor goaltending. Last night, they showed what they're capable of when the a reliable netminder is in place. The Avalanche beat the Predators 2-1.
Though they allowed considerably more shots against Nashville than they did against Columbus, most of the d-men were solid. Scott Hannan saw more than 27 minutes of ice time and was overall very good. Brett Clark, after some weak play a few games ago, has seen a reduced number of shifts, but he seems to have collected himself as well. Even Jordan Leopold was back in action, and he showed little signs of rust, though he only played nine minutes, finishing +1. Generally speaking, the blueline has become much more solid as of late.
Speaking of solid, Peter Budaj shook off a three-game benching and performed extremely well, stopping 30 shots, winning a duel with Nashville goalie Chris Mason, who always plays well against Colorado. Mason also stopped 30 shots.
The Avalanche goals were scored by Ryan Smyth (from a feed by Jaroslav Hlinka, who's finally coming into his own) and the winner was a tip-in by a healthy-kneed Ian Laperriere, again off a feed from Hlinka. Cody McCormick, awarded the second assist on the play, scored his first point of the season.
The Avs play Nashville again on Saturday night, this time back in Denver. Can they get another winning streak going? Would that be too much to ask?
And in case nobody noticed, Colorado has moved into second place in an increasingly competitive Northwest Division, just two points behind first-place Vancouver but only three points ahead of last-place Edmonton. The Oilers have nearly fought back to .500, and beat Detroit last night in a shootout. What the hell?
Stars of the Game:
- Peter Budaj (30sv, .968)
- Ryan Smyth (1g, 0a)
- Chris Mason (30sv, .938)
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thoughts
Hlinka looked great at center. I hope Arnason stays hurt. Forever.
Budaj played a great game. He had a couple sequences where Nashville was buzzing around behind the net that he went post to post for a save really well. I remember thinking a couple times, "I bet Theodore would have been out of position there -- probably for a goal."
He stole us a game -- how many times have we been able to say that about our goalies recently?
Arnason
"Hlinka looked great at center. I hope Arnason stays hurt. Forever."
I was looking forward to your comment on this today. I figured you'd have a little skip in your step after last nights game.
Hlinka was very good at center for the most part. I'm not a big fan of his defense down in his own zone but, he's really good defensively from face-off circle and through the neutral zone. Behind the net he was a bit of a chaser or containment guy. I much prefer Stastny/Guite's style of being physical and attacking the puck. BUT, Hlinka more than made up for it in other areas.
agreed
he's not perfect, but he's a sight better than Arnason's amnesiac style in his own zone. Hlinka definitely can get lost in physical play at both ends of the ice.
Still, he can pass, he's not a black hole, and he works hard. I think he's a better option than Arny there, and on paper you'd think him and Svatos would start connecting at some point.
Re: thoughts
I can't endorse any call for a player to be hurt, but I do echo the general sentiment that the Avalanche would be better off without Arnason in the lineup. He was one of my favorite players last season during The Streak, but he's been a no-show this year. I think he needs to find himself on another team.
And yeah, Budaj stole the hell out of that game and almost made it a shutout, no less. Now, will he get the opportunities to continue his strong play? Will he be given multiple starts, even after he loses one?
after the last 3 games
if theo gets more than one consecutive start the rest of the way, we're marching on pepsi center with torches and illegally curved sticks, right?
on the plus side, he's gone after this year, and bruno and sakic are the avs' only major free agents, so there would be money available to go after bryzgalov.
also, i like that it took q 1/3 of the season to think about playing hlinka in his natural position. i mean, here i was, figuring the dude was a kinda disappointing winger, and apparently, q's just kind of an idiot.
by andrew on Dec 14, 2007 12:49 PM MST up reply actions
I enjoyed this post
"he's gone after this year..."
Which makes you wonder why they have such a huge Jones to put that guy in net all the time. It makes no sense on so many levels.
No sense at all...
That's seems to be Q's coaching philosophy. Do the things that make no sense. The Goalie-go-round didn't work so now we are going to play the guy until he loses. Well that method didn't work last year either, but hey lets try it again, shall we? I'll never understand how Q's mind works. Maybe he just throws darts at a board?
by Americanario on Dec 14, 2007 5:16 PM MST up reply actions
lmao
yeah right, do you seriously think Phoenix will give up Bryz after what he's done with them?? Not getting Bryz was the absolute worst decision of the Av managment this year. The guy is a stud! I would trade half the damn team for him!! (well not really, lol)
by Mike the Avs Fan on Dec 14, 2007 5:31 PM MST up reply actions
bryzgalov
he's an unrestricted free agent free agent after this year. we won't be offer him as much money as phoenix, but he will get a chance to play meaningful games, which probably isn't going to happen anytime soon in phoenix.
also, i'm not sure how the waiver works in the nhl, but i assume that even if the avalanche had gone for him, phoenix would have had priority, based on having a worse record this and a worse record last year.
by andrew on Dec 14, 2007 7:22 PM MST up reply actions
Laperriere
Because it can never be said enough, can I hear an "WOOO HOOO!" for the ever-freakin-awesome Lappy?!! Soooo glad he's back, hopefully his knee will hold up.
Re: Lappy = Stud
Lappy = Stud = Sexiest Man On The Ice
FYI: Being the "Official Female Fan" of MMH (and quietly tolerating gratuitis pix of Jennifer Beal), I have been given unrestricted freedom of proclaiming Mr. Laperriere's unparalleled skill, manly prowess and/or hottness factor whenever the mood strikes me. This includes repetative postings of the infamous "booy shorts" photo.
Isn't that right Joe.
PS: Great screen name "Americanario".
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