Game 59: Avalanche At Blackhawks, Preview And Open Thread

by Joe Dunman on Feb 17, 2008 6:23 AM MST in NHL News

And just like that, the Avalanche are out of the playoffs again. Vancouver beat Edmonton last night moved up one spot in both the Northwest Division and the Western Conference, one point ahead of Colorado in both.

With the Avs barely clinging to their playoff hopes, each game becomes critically important to win. Yes, you could say each game was a "must-win," if so inclined.

Unfortunately for the Avs, they face the Chicago Blackhawks today, who have found it much easier to "Commit To The Indian" since ace rookie Jonathan Toews returned to the lineup last week. The 'Hawks have won their past two games by outscoring their opponents (Columbus and Nashville) 13-3. Great.

Jose Theodore will return to the net today for the Avs after getting pulled against St. Louis on Thursday. Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny are both skating now, but won't play in either today's game nor tomorrow's in Detroit. Ryan Smyth will have to lead the team all by himself.

The early game starts at 11:00 AM Mountain Time, 1:00 PM Eastern. I had originally planned to attend this game, but wasn't able to make it, unfortunately. Such is life.

ESPN preview.

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Richardson

for those who might have missed it, Richardson has been sent down again and Jones has been recalled

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 17, 2008 8:11 AM MST reply actions

It's Mark Messier time again

As you guys might know the Avs are 2 for 2 this year in games I have guaranteed them to win, those games have been the only must-wins of the season so far imo. This is another one, so, here goes;

I guarantee the Colorado Avalanche will beat the Chicago Blackhawks today.

I guarantee it.

by Mike the Avs Fan on Feb 17, 2008 10:52 AM MST reply actions

Shit

2 for 3 now. :(

by Mike the Avs Fan on Feb 17, 2008 1:43 PM MST up reply actions

Wow

This is absolutely, positively, the worst game the Avs have played all season. I am ashamed. Chicago should be up at least 6-0 right now. And we're 0 for 6 on power plays. This futility is devastating.

by Mike the Avs Fan on Feb 17, 2008 1:24 PM MST reply actions

Well

Let's make that 0 for 7 on the power play.

And why was Arnason the one taking (and losing) the faceoff in the Hawks' zone with the 6 on 4 with 30 seconds left? Why? Why I ask?

by Mike the Avs Fan on Feb 17, 2008 1:33 PM MST up reply actions

On the bright side...

On the bright side, not only is JoeTed healthy, but he also didn't allow Idiot's premature yanking or the one bad goal last game to send him into a tailspin. That's a really good sign.

On the negative side, this team is fucked. Idiot HAS to be canned. No two ways about that now.

by Thomas @ Mile High Hockey on Feb 17, 2008 2:33 PM MST reply actions

Why?

Why was Arnason taking the draw? Why? Why dammit why?

Yeah Theodore was great today, like I said it should've been 6-1 at least. Just total futility.

by Mike the Avs Fan on Feb 17, 2008 2:37 PM MST up reply actions

Re: On the bright side...

I agree on all points.

by Joe Dunman on Feb 17, 2008 2:45 PM MST up reply actions

I have to agree

with Thomas here, they need to fire Q as soon as possible, put Granato behind the bench(hell put a random drunk fan behind thebench, they can't do any worse)and hope for the best. That might spark the team like the Capitals move did, although they were smart enough to see the writing on the wall halfway through the season and not at the end, and worst case scenario we lose more games.

by Savage33 on Feb 18, 2008 2:23 AM MST up reply actions