Let's get this show on the road.
Had the Avalanche won game 2 on Friday night, they'd be cruising into the friendly confines of the Pepsi Center with a 2-0 lead in the series and everybody would already be speculating about their second round opponent. But they didn't win game 2. Instead, it's all even as the Avs head back home to Denver.
Two things have to happen for the Avs to win tonight and tomorrow night in Colorado. First, they have to quit blowing leads. Two games they scored first, two games they found themselves in overtime because they let the Wild get momentum. Second, The Can has to put Xcel Energy Center to shame. Each member of the much-maligned Avalanche fanbase needs to take out a couple of loans (for tickets), swallow their disappointment (at the coaching staff), and act like they've been cooped up all winter and are ready to bust out. The Can needs to be bursting at the seams. Denver used to be a place other teams dreaded to play.
Remember what the Pepsi Center looked like in 2001? That same intensity needs to happen again, only louder. Dater wants you to bring it, so bring it already.
To the brave and valiant boys in Burgundy and Blue: No more overtime. No more one-goal wins. Let's get a blow out, led by a Paul Stastny hat trick and a wicked Joe Sakic wrister in the third period.
Remember the thread rules:
- The Colorado Avalanche goaltender has no name.
- All are welcome, but play nice.
- The "goal girl" tonight is Marissa Miller.
- A new thread will begin once this one hits 380 comments.
- Niklas Backstrom will get a shutout, the Conn Smythe and the Vezina.
The game starts at 8:00 PM Mountain time, 10:00 PM Eastern and will be on Versus and CBC. If you'll actually be at the game, take a cell phone photo of your view from the stands and link to it in the comments or send it to us via email. If you're playing from home, well, posting comments here is all you need to do.
ESPN preview.