Game 68: Avalanche 1, Ducks 0

by Joe Dunman on Mar 7, 2008 6:33 AM MST in News Comment 22 comments

photo courtesy of David Zalubowski/AP

What is it about the last 19 games of the season that the post-Lockout Avalanche like so much? So far, the Avs are 5-0-0 in the last 19 this season, and only need eight more wins to reach that magical 94-point plateau that should mean a spot in the playoffs.

After last night's 1-0 shutout of Anaheim, the Avs' fifth win in a row, it seems likely (instead of just possible) that the Colorado Avalanche will be playing hockey in April.

In a game punctuated by big saves instead of big goals, Wojtek Wolski was the lone scorer, beating Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller top shelf with a superb one-timer. Andrew Brunette and Paul Stastny were credited with assists. Hopefully Wolski is on his way out of Coach Q's doghouse, and hopefully this kind of effort from him continues.

Still no points for Peter Forsberg, but once again his line (with Sakic and Hejduk) was dangerous the entire game and got a few good chances. His points will come.

Jose Theodore was in full Pimp Cane mode, stopping all 27 shots he faced, including a dangerous breakaway by Corey Perry early in the game. Theo is definitely one of the most improved players in the entire league, and continues to dominate games like he hasn't since earlier this decade. I'm starting to think a contract renewal wouldn't be such a bad idea---as long as it's less than $6 million, of course.

The other stars of the game were the Colorado defensemen, who played superbly throughout the game. Turnovers were rare. Rarely was anyone caught out of position. They were hitting, poke checking, and clogging the passing lanes. It was good to see. Adam Foote had another strong game (and no dumb penalties), John-Michael Liles was hitting for a change (see photo above), Scott Hannan wasn't making mistakes and Kurt Sauer was using his size to block scoring rushes. Ruslan Salei was the penalty magnet this time, however, but his two hooking penalties didn't really detract from his strong game overall. All in all, a great performance by the Colorado D.

ADDENDUM: Oh, and I'd like to thank the fans at the Pepsi Center for booing Todd Bertuzzi every second he touched the puck. It's been a while now since he threw away his humanity, but Colorado fans should never let him forget it. Until the day he retires (and maybe even after), he should be booed in Denver---relentlessly. What a waste of air.

The Avs now face an even harder test. They play a home-and-home series against the Stars starting Saturday in Denver and ending on Sunday in Dallas. Dallas is one of the best teams in the league and my personal "favorite" to win the Cup this year. Coach Dave Tippett has done wonders with a team that isn't all that impressive on paper and goalie Marty Turco continues to show why he's one of the best in the league. They will be, as Stephen Colbert says, "A Formidable Opponent."

Stars of the Game:

Jose Pimp Cane Theodore (27sv, 1.000)

Wojtek Wolski (1g, 0a)

Jonas Hiller (29 sv, .967)

Kittens Killed:

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Read More: avalanche, ducks, game recap, win

Comments

Playoffs

This team will not go deep in the playoffs without a out power play that improves to AT LEAST mediocre. It is that simple. I am tired of pointing out suggesttions for the PP because Q to damn stubborn. All the stars are back and excuses are gone.

Never trust the lunch lady.

by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Mar 7, 2008 8:06 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Playoffs

Amen.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 7, 2008 8:14 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

don't post after waking up

lol at errors in typing.

Never trust the lunch lady.

by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Mar 7, 2008 8:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

we take swings at the altidudes around here a lot

but last night McNabb had some great points I never would have noticed. He noted how Stastny's pass was exactly where it needed to be for a left-hander RW (Bruno) and how without that perfect pass against all instincts, playing with Hejduk and other right handed RWs his whole life, Bruno could never have hit Wolski for the goal. I thought that was a great bit of analysis. Stastny is still probably the best player on the team, amazing.

I see people freaking out about how awesome Finger is, and I guess I understand how Clark-haters feel when I talk good about him. Not that I hate Finger -- he's a tough and nasty guy to play against, and a good Dman overall. He still has some bad traits I wish he could fix. He's probably the only D-man sad Skrastins is gone, because Skrastins made Finger look fast! He's also bad about standing around and watching, and he's not very hard to beat with a move on the boards. Oh well, I still like him as a 5/6 guy, but it's hard to see Foote on the PP instead of Leopold because Leo is sitting for Finger.

But speaking of tough and nasty, damn are we hard to play against. The Ducks looked surprised as a unit they couldn't get anything going all night. Awesome to see!

by thedoctor on Mar 7, 2008 9:25 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

oh, one more thing

did anyone see Arnason win that one faceoff in the offensive zone (I'm sure that event is rare enough you all can remember)? He won it to the boards far side, and chased it down himself...then simply stood there until a ducks player took it from him.

It was like he was as surprised as I was he won a faceoff. I laughed so hard.

by thedoctor on Mar 7, 2008 9:30 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: oh, one more thing

He's like a little lost puppy sometimes.

Yeah, I saw that. He got the puck and then suddenly his brain melted.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 7, 2008 9:45 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Finger

Finger looked gassed in the second and third last night. Should he be? No. However, he looked to be sucking a lot of wind. I also found it interesting that he's wearing a shield now.

by Dario on Mar 7, 2008 10:06 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Finger

He must be wearing a shield now because of that "hand injury" he suffered.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 7, 2008 10:29 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Game shape

You always hear about "game shape," premier athletes who miss even 2 or 3 games are so finely honed that they talk about having to get back into game shape, even if they've been riding the bike non-stop during their injury rehab. I think it's pretty reasonable to suggest that Finger wasn't in game shape after missing 6 games. (I didn't notice that Finger looked gassed, by the way, but if he was that's a pretty good explanation why, I think.)

Plus, Quenneville rode him like Secretariat in the 3rd, playing him a whopping 9+ minutes. He's not just a 5/6 guy, he's obviously in our top 4, probably top 3. Our $4.5 million man is the 5/6 defenseman (and he only played about 5-and-a-half minutes in the crucial 3rd period).

by Dan Winkler on Mar 7, 2008 11:09 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

he's certainly being played as a 3/4

I'm not sure that's such a great idea long term, but hey, we won. Finger still has his own set of issues though, namely speed and intelligence.

I agree Hannan's job in in trouble. You have to start to wonder if we re-sign Foote and Sauer...maybe he'll be sent packing on draft day. He's not performing as well as them right now and with the crunch we'll be having on salaries this offseason, him and Liles could be the odd men out. He's not been completely worth his 4.5 million this year, that's for sure.

That said, Hannan has shown good play for extended stretches this year and more than anything still seems uncomfortable. I think he'll be fine, and I doubt he's headed anywhere. But maybe.

by thedoctor on Mar 7, 2008 11:25 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Difference in Finger

is that he is still young. He does have some things to work on, but if he continues to improve think of the kind of D-man he could be. He is a big hitter and has a good blast from the blue line. With Foote back, hopefully he is sticking his "foote" in some arses and tutoring Finger in the proper way to play the game. It should only make Finger better.

by Americanario on Mar 7, 2008 10:21 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Difference in Finger

Two seasons ago, Jeff Finger was a career minor leaguer. Since then, he's earned his place in the regular Avalanche lineup, even if it is in a 5/6 spot.

I agree that he will likely improve further in the next couple of years.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 7, 2008 10:30 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

A couple of blog suggestions

First, new visitors to the site are going to get confused with the kitten theme. I'd suggest adding the kitten MHH history to your Wiki and then putting a hyperlink next to your kittens so new users know what the hell you're talking about in the game thred comments and picture postings.

Second, you need a different picture when the Avs fail to score on a double minor or a 5 on 3. Here are some suggestions:

Dog v Cat
Hear no evil cat.
Cats vs Hockey net
Sad Cat.
"Which one of you guys plays the point? Cats".
Please help kitten.
Rage is imminent.

by Dario on Mar 7, 2008 9:58 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Just put (PP%)

Like this: Kitten Killed (PP%):

Never trust the lunch lady.

by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Mar 7, 2008 10:03 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

cring

That last one I read as "rage" instead of what's on the picture. What's on the picture is totally inappropriate IMO. That would need to be photoshoped out. Sorry for linking that Joe.

by Dario on Mar 7, 2008 10:08 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: cring(e)

Hey, no prob. Mistakes happen.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 7, 2008 10:32 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd go with

either dog vs cat,cause the cats getting eaten or hear no evil cat, he knows he's about to be executed.

by Savage33 on Mar 7, 2008 6:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: A couple of...

One of my projects this weekend is to heavily update the Wiki. It needs it.

But yeah, thanks for the links. The fun I can have with these is limitless.

by Joe Dunman on Mar 7, 2008 10:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I've been meaning to talk to you about the Wiki

As I thought it needed a once over too. Still, no biggie.

Also, the picture of the 5 kittens NEEDS to be used during game threads as one-after-another, the kittens get crossed of WWII fighter pilot style as the PP Futility reaches new heights.

by Mike @ MHH on Mar 7, 2008 12:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I have failed as a fan

First time ever (I never miss a game), I fell asleep during the first period. Yes, covered in my "item of the game" Avs plush blankey. Thankfully I recorded so I'll be watching the game tonight. Then I shall catch up and read Joes re-cap as if I hadn't missed a beat and pretend that my undying support had something to do with their win. Selective reality rocks.

by Rookie14 on Mar 7, 2008 7:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Something has been bugging me

about this game for a day or two. Leopold's healthy scratch. Are we ALL missing something here? Leo has played pretty damn well since he finally got healthy, IMO. You-know-who always argued that he was the Av's #1 d-man, and with the continued spotty play of Hannan and Liles funk prior to the deadline, that was hard to disagree with. I think Leo has been REALLY consistant since the start of '08. So why the healthy scratch? Was it fear of injury against the hard-hitting Ducks, and Q was just assuming that Leo would get hurt?

More importantly, management traded away Tanguay for a guy that is deemed expendable during one of the most important down-the-stretch (and I mean this season, not sometime in the next decade like Q seems to) runs in franchise history. This just doesn't make ANY sense.

by Mike @ MHH on Mar 8, 2008 11:03 AM MST reply actions 0 recs