I really like the Stastny line and the Guite line (I’m calling it the Guite line because he’s the only constant on it with injuries etc…). Those are two solid book ends with no defensive weaknesses on either.

Can’t I just be happy with this and enjoy the moment? Yes and No. I really like the direction of the goaltending and the commitment from the forward lines of defensive pressure. These are all great things, including Hannan’s maturity as a leader back on the blue line. Even in the last game against the Preds I could hear him calling out for the puck from the Altitude broadcast. He’s a big time communicator and you cannot underestimate how important this is for a defense.

On the other hand I don’t think the Avs nor fans can get complacent enough to believe that the goaltending has finally stepped up and we can start streaking again. There’s a LOT more work to be done. The way I look at it is that the goaltender shouldn’t have to steal these games. From time to time you need your goaltender to look across the ice and say to himself, “that goalie isn’t letting in more than two tonight, I have to shut the door”. Roy did this throughout the regular season and playoffs. He recognized games in which two or three goals allowed was OK, and those in which is was not. However, Budaj cannot steal wins all season long.

The first and “fourth” lines are carrying some pretty forgettable play by the forwards in between. If it’s not for a un-Svatos like forecheck and great hustle play on his part the last game is a lot tighter than anyone would want. The Brunette/Wolski line hasn’t been the same since Brunette got the flu, Sakic went out and Wolski started playing point on the power play. By now Brunette should be recovered. Sakic is a huge loss for any line but these guys have to really start making their own magic at this point. I’m starting to also believe that Wolski’s confidence as a player is getting tested on every power play shift he’s on. Wolski has a lot of pressure on him by taking over a point roll for the PP that even Sakic struggled with. The PP looked horrible against Nashville and the only chances we really had were when Clark and Liles played a single shift. When Wolski was skating three strides behind a break away shorthanded attempt by Nashville, all I could think to say in my mind was, “Woolly, it’s not your fault”.

Defensively I’m still not convinced. I know that there are a lot of people happy with our defense right now because the scores are low. However, I don’t think the scoring chances are. The seven defenseman rotation is creating chaos in our own zone and the captain of chaos is Karlis Skrastins. He’s taken it to new levels these past two games. He’s switching sides, chasing forwards up the side boards and collapsing in his own crease when the cycle pressure is on. He’s a total train wreck. Leopold has his Spring swing right now and although he’s had a clear or two that didn’t make it out, he’s looked surprisingly better. Hannan looks his best with Cumiskey or Liles playing on his left side and it’s a shame that Sauer is out indefinitely with the concussion because those two would make a really solid stay-at-home pairing for Hannan.

It’s a little more difficult to pin down the forward lines with Wolski and Burnette because of the seven defensemen. I think as predictable as Q is, that he will put Svatos out with Brunette and Wolski because of his shift that he scored on. I think that Hlinka should have that regular shift though, he’s a good playmaker and is much more consistent than Svatos. Anyway, the biggest improvement the team can make is to fix that power play and get the forwards off the point. It’s just depressing to watch. Budaj needs more help on the defensive side (IMO) and some goal support to boot.

They have also quietly gone 4-1 in their last 5, with strong defensive play in the last 3 (IMO anyways)