What a great game (and not just because the Avs pulled out a “chintzy” win, as Ryan Miller called it). It was a game that saw two good defenses keep two great offenses in check. With the defensive effort, inensity and physical - but mostly clean - play, this thing looked a lot like a playoff hockey game. And it wouldn’t shock me to see these two teams facing each other in the Stanley Cup Finals next spring.
Early in the game, Patrick Kaleta goaded Ian Laperriere into dropping the gloves…and then skated away with his tail between his legs. If you thought that dick moved looked familiar, it’s because we’ve seen it before:
Before the draw, Ian Laperriere swaps with Ossi Vaananen to pair off with Patrick Kaleta. The two start jawing; Lappy, seems to think they have an agreement to fight, as his gloves go flying as soon as the puck drops. Kaleta, though, pulls a Barnaby and keeps playing.
Adam Mair pulled a similar stunt late in the game, going so far as to punch Adam Foote. When Foote turned to square off, Mair refused to fight. Lame, lame stuff from the Sabres. This is not shocking from a team coached by Lindy Ruff who, as usual, was quick to point fingers after the game (”I don’t like it either after watching it,” Ruff said. “It’s a tough call. It’s a patented Ryan Smyth. It’s a great play if you get away with it.”) I don’t believe his team has ever lost a game for any reason other than a bad call by the refs. (I do think he’s a hell of a coach, but the crybaby stuff really gets under the proverbial craw).
Early in the game, before the Kaleta dodge, Ian Laperriere stepped in between Andrew Peters and Cody McLeod, who were about to fight. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the 2nd type Lappy has intervened when McLeod was headed for a fight. I wonder why he’s doing that?
Oh, and the Avs have now won 10 of their last 14 regular season games (going back to last year, of course).
I agree, it was a great game to watch. Though I like the Sabres, and usually watch them through out the season, the moves by Kaleta and Mair were asinine. Also the reaction by Miller after Leopold’s goal. I understand he’s upset that he let in the goal, but it happens. Suck it up and continue playing. You didn’t see Budaj acting like a spoiled brat after he let in a goal after a deflection. Speaking about Budaj, how about that save in the shoot out on Vanek; just and amazing (and lucky) save.
/agree with Americanario on all points, and I want to add that Jones had a fantastic game, and JUST missed a goal. How soon can we get him a real center?
As soon as Foppa is fit
Just happened to notice this today from the individual player stats on nhl.com:
Player Team GP W L OT SA GA GAA Sv Sv% SO G A PIM TOI
32 Peter Budaj COL 6 3 3 0 159 18 2.98 141 .887 0 0 0 0 362:52
33 Jose Theodore WSH 6 3 2 0 159 18 3.28 141 .887 0 0 1 0 329:13
The two are tied and the Avalanche is still getting the better (cheaper) deal.
Still waiting to see Arnason benched….maybe they’ll try Wolski at center?
I am confident that Arny will be off the line up this season. Granato has been patient with most other personel decisions with success, so give it time.
Lindy Ruff said what coaches always say, I don’t have any problem with it. He’s the best coach in the league.
Kaleta wants to be the next Sean Avery, so I guess you have to expect that kind of douchery. Adam Mair’s little tiff was pretty pathetic too, especially for someone who considers himself a tough guy. I can see a skill player like Sidney Crosby getting overexcited, punching Foote, then realizing “OMG what did I just do?” but a 4th line fighter? Lame. Too bad we don’t get to see these teams play more.
Really? I’m excited about the five-game win streak, too, but I really don’t see the Avs going all the way this year. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
I do believe that if they are healthy come April (and yes, that’s a giant “if”) then they’ll be able to make a run deep into the playoffs.
DDC, did you see that one poster quoted your optimism over on the DPO’s blog?
I agree with you, actually. They still really need to shore up their PK, and I’m not 100% sold on Granato, but IF healthy, this is a pretty talented and deep team. Especially IF (an even bigger IF on the health part) they can add a healthy number 21 half-way through the season.
I hadn’t until you pointed it out.
Just so you know, Claude, I’m not saying that just based on the first few games - I said before the season started that I thought they could go deep in the playoffs. I haven’t seen anything yet to change my mind.
I’m not guaranteeing anything, but I do have faith in this year’s club. And yep, adding #21 would definitely help.
Well, as I said at the afformentioned link. I see the Avs making a push to get in to the WCF. I made the assumption based on the strength of their defensive rotations and a healthy Smyth, revived Wolski and regular starts in goal. The key in all the prognostication was never to get caught up in the strength of the West but the relative ease of the NW division. Like last year the Wild are out to a really hot start. Calgary is the basketcase I thought they would be. Vancouver is doing better offensively than I thought they would but still lack any kind of depth. Edmonton was the scary team but I think after two games against it seems to me that team has large vulnerabilities. If Garon wasn’t standing on his head that defense might have Edmonton in the cellar. From what I’ve seen the Avs are a better team than anyone in the NW besides Minny at this point. If the Avs win the NW then they can make a big run.
Just for the record, I’m SOLD on Granato. He’s done everything he said he was going to do and what us basement dwellers claimed he could do. Wolski seems to have blossomed, the goalie rotation has been relatively stable, the offense is exciting and frankly more potent that I dared to imagin after the Brunette/Tucker swap and he was the calm in the storm three games in when panic could have set in.
that’s a really good point Dario — Granato has been near flawless in his first games. He’s showing far more patience than Q ever did, and his few tweaks have been good ones — sitting Guite to calm him down, sitting Budaj to calm him down.
I still don’t like Sakic at the point, but thats almost a political choice at this point — it would be sad to not have Sakic on the top PP unit, if not a blow to his psyche, and I wish he’d have the guts to bench Arny in favor of Hensick, but those are minor gripes. He’s done great. Our style on the ice looks like the Avs again, lots of fun to watch.
Our style on the ice looks like the Avs again, lots of fun to watch.
I think that’s a great comment. I’m not sure fans have recognized this team since the lockout. There’s finally a buzz in the Pepsi Center when the Avs are rushing up ice.
“I still don’t like Sakic at the point”
you know, I don’t either, but that’s another check mark for Granato. He’s basically got Liles back there alone and Sakic is up in the slot. That’s how, IMO, the PP has improved even though the personnel hasn’t changed…
I was not a fan of the Granato hiring, but, so far I’m with Dario. He’s really done a great job. (Granato, not Dario).
All this talk is making me pissed I am going to miss most of this season, now that the Avs are back to exciting hockey.
Sorry DDC, I had no idea you made the cup forecast before the year rather than after the last 5 games.
I still think the Avs have a bunch of areas to improve before they can be considered serious cup contenders, but I respect your opinion otherwise (since it isn’t based only on the last 5 games, lol).
It’ll be awhile before I’m sold on Budaj, though last week sure was a step in the right direction. The Avs’ PK is frightening. To me, beating Detroit by more than a couple goals will go a long way in making me a believer because it feels like they haven’t done it since 1998.
I agree - it’s not a slam dunk by any stretch of the imagination. Goaltending has to be more consistent, the PK has to get a lot better AND they need to stay healthy. None of those are a given. But they are definitely doable.