I did get to watch the game after all, and I’m glad I did. The Avs AHL team looked really good against the Rangers, and the 4-3 OT win was a heck of a lot of fun to watch. It was physical (lots of hitting by both teams) and contentious (Cody McLeod fought with Brandon Dubinsky and Ian Laperriere fought with Ryan Hollweg). There was a lot of back and forth action, and both goaltenders were sharp (that Henrik Lundqvist is a hell of a goalie).
I thought the Avalanche youngsters played well in the game. As I saw it, TJ Hensick (5 shots) was the standout among the rookies. I think that was his best game so far. McLeod had his first NHL fight, and was sticking up for teammates in his limited opportunity (he only had 12 shifts). David Jones had just 11 shifts but got some early PP time and recorded a couple of hits.
vs. last year:
The “vets” looked terrific as well. Wojtek Wolski looked much more comfortable on the Stastny line than Andrew Brunette did the night before. Milan Hejduk was great, Jeff Finger was terrific, John-Michael Liles looked strong in both ends of the ice. And, of course, Peter Budaj was steady in the crease. I can’t really think of one Colorado player who didn’t have a good night. It gives me a lot of hope that this team can become really, really good when they get Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth back.
Lines
The line report is up. I basically went with how Altitude had it listed, but they were kind of a mess all night (partly due to a large number of penalties). The 1st and 3rd lines were generally consistent, but the 2nd and 4th lines were not at all. If you look at the shift chart, you’ll see that Q generally was doing that thing where he pairs up 2 players and rotates in a 3rd. Hlinka and Svatos were often together, as were Hensick and Jones, with Brunette and McLeod shuffling around.
Quick Hits
- The Avalanche improved to 3-0 against the Atlantic Division. All 3 wins were by 1 goal.
- Jeff Finger led both teams with 6 hits.
Other Recaps
Next Up
The Avalanche host the Canucks on Sunday. The teams are currently tied with Minnesota for 1st place in the NW.
Meaningless Anecdote
A few years ago, my wife gave me an awesome Christmas present - a trip to the All-Star game in Tampa. I flew down a couple of nights before the game. My flight had a stop in Pittsburgh, where, to my surprise, Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka got on the plane. Jagr ended up sitting down right behind me. I’m not the kind of guy to bug anyone for an autograph, so I left both of them alone (Straka gave me a funny look anyway, perhaps because I was wearing a Senators jersey). I did, however, maneuver slightly so that I walked off the plane with Jagr. Two friends of mine who were also going to the game were picking me up, and I thought it would be cool for them to see me walk off the plane next to (at that time) the greatest player in the world.
Unfortunately, no one was waiting for me. Both friends were delayed by bad weather (the same weather that no doubt had bumped Jagr and Straka to my flight). When they finally arrived, the players were long gone. To this day, neither of them believe my story.
It was a good game for the Colorado Monsters. Budaj was good despite the low shot total, almost every Ranger shot was a very good quality shot and Budaj had to be strong. I liked the energy, especially early on as Mcleod and McCormick seemd unafraid to hit any Ranger they crossed paths with. Even Hejduk fed off of it and made a couple of hits/checks along the boards. I was hoping Jones would record his first NHL point. He played well during his limited time.
Hannan is certainly picking up his game and even Skrastins stayed on his feet, which late in the game allowed him to break up an odd man chance by the Rangers.
Great read and jump into the play by Finger on the game winning goal. Even better read by Wolski to get back to his feet and go to the net for the tip in.
I miss the RPM line, but I agree that Wolski is much better suited to play with Milan and Paul (WoMP line???) than Brunno is (AMP). It showed with how those three teamed up on the first two goals. They just fed off each other and worked the puck for the great chances that became goals.
That was the first avs game i’ve been to this year, and it had a great atmosphere. The whole building was pretty energized, something that I think has been sorely lacking at home games this year.
I do, however, have to disagree with you on Hensick. I thought that was his worst game of the year. From my perspective (third deck, right behind the goal that the Avs attacked twice; I had great view of the GTG and GWG) he looked awful. Constantly a step behind the play, and his passing was atrocious. His passes were very slow and weak, leading to at least three neutral zone interceptions, and at least once at our own blue line. He may have been pretty good in offensive zone, but his play was sorely lacking in the other two zones.
almost every Ranger shot was a very good quality shot
I agree. those were some well-placed shots.
Interesting observations of Hensick, Selanne - I’ll have to watch him more carefully, I guess.
and yeah, nice to hear the PC rocking. Too often this year it’s come across as rather tame on TV.
Great game. The only negatives that I took away was at least one time when Liles showed a little panic with the puck as he skated out in front of the net, which resulted in a turnover. That was in the closing seconds of the 2nd and Boots was forced to make a great save.
Wolski looked great, adding more fuel to the fire that ANYBODY (except Bruno apparently) looks good with The Duke and SoS.
King Henrick was unreal in the 1st period. If Boots framed the point he singlehandedly earned from the Ducks game, I’m sure Henrick will hang that one from the mantle when he gets back to the Big Apple. That 1st period looked like a couple of others the Avs have had this season, except in those instances, they were up 2 or 3 goals going into intermission. Lundqvist was having none of it though. He’s a stud, that’s for sure.