Alright, so it's been suggested that "Bits and Links" isn't a very good title. And as I am swamped with school work, and am in general an unimaginative person, I've decided that a poll was needed. Please vote for the one you like best or make a suggestion in the thread itself :)
As usual the links are after the jump!
Sigh, so may injuries on the Avalanche front, one caused by a slapshot. And I'm sure none of you are surprised that I'm quite upset with this injury. Daniel Winnik being unable to play will be a big loss, expect a lot more dangerous plays from the opposing team of the Avs PK. Here's hoping the deep bone bruise won't sideline him too long.
The new line combinations didn’t last long, however, as Winnik was injured 4:30 into the contest on his second shift of the evening. After taking a hard John-Michael Liles slap shot off the leg, Winnik hobbled off the ice and into the Colorado dressing room. The injury, which turned out to be a leg contusion, kept the forward sidelined for the remainder of the game
This Minnesota writer is doing a running game commentary during the game.
12:42 - Wild 2, Avalanche 3 - This doesn't look to be the night you want to give Colorado a sniff at offense. Because when they find it, it's coming quickly. On the power play, Stastny (yes, him again) camps out behind Backstrom and finds Milan Hejduk streaking down the center of the ice. Hejduk burries it in the back of the Wild net.
Another Minnesota recap. I'm starting to wonder why I can always find more recaps form the opposing teams camp. Anytime I look for one from an Avalanche point of view, it's usually Denver Post, or MHH and very rarely from elsewhere...
Colorado scored four unanswered in the second period (two of them by Greg Mauldin, building a 5-2 lead from which the Wild would not recover. Backstrom gave up his career-high seventh goal in the third period, prompting Richards to put Theodore back between the pipes for the last half-period. Backstrom had 31 saves in the loss, while Theodore stopped both of the Avalanche shots he faced.
YAY! An Avalanche-sided recap!
Greg Mauldin had played in only seven games for the Blue Jackets (6) and Islanders (1) before coming to Colorado. He played well enough in pre-season camp to earn himself fourth-line ice time this season, logging a goal and two assists before tonight’s game.
A nice aritcle about Chris Stewart (Pre-injury). Man, it really is incredible when you think of his journey to get into the NHL.
Another Stewart article. What? I like the guy, and I'm afraid there won't be as many articles about him for the next month or so.
"I think he's the type of player who can complement anyone he plays with," Stastny said. "You look at him and you think power forward, but ... he can forecheck and he can pass and work down low. He can do everything because he has a lot of different skills and that's understated.
"This year is even better because he has the confidence. And he's trimmed some of the fat."
And the last article, Chris Stewart has a fractured hand.