Sigh. A 6-3 loss against Atlanta. I had hope after the Florida game but I'm slowly losing it. Sure, they still have a chance but let's be honest, can they really make it the rest of the way and lose 8 or less games? It doesn't seem terribly likely. However, as dismal as I am feeling about missing the playoffs...it ain't over 'til it's over! We've been spoiled by a decade of playoff births and 2 Stanley Cups. Try to remember that if the team ends up teeing off in mid-April instead of fighting for the Cup again.
It was Jose Theodore's second start in a row and after 3 goals on 11 shots in the 1st, Peter Budaj was put in net to start the 2nd. The goals were not weak goals and I'd say pulling Theodore was a mercy move as much as it was a move to wake up the team. The first 2 goals were complete defensive breakdowns and the third goal was off a deflection. I can't really blame a goaltender for those goals. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop some people from doing so.
It's likely the last start for Theodore for a while but not due to mediocre play. It's simply due to him losing the #1 role earlier in the season. Unless of course the Avalanche do decide the season is lost, which it won't be for at least 5 more games, and stick Theodore in and ride him until the season ends.
It was another one of those nights where the Avs fired off a trillion shots (48 actually) and just couldn't get anything past Lehtonen. He made some great saves but there were plenty of times where the shots were right into his chest. It seems that at times the Avs get very tense and starting seeing the goaltender rather than the twine in the back of the net. It's frustrating to watch and is even more frustrating for the players out there.
Brad May made a successful return to the ice. And by successful I mean he managed to take 2 penalties. However you can't fault the guy for trying. It's too bad he doesn't have softer hands as he had a few chances tonight but just couldn't finish. I'm sure he was a bit jittery in his first game back so I'll wait another game to see what his play will be like this year. Hopefully he fights for the puck in the corners harder than the man who was scratched to make room for him, Brad Richardson. Not to knock Richardson much because not many Avs fight for the puck in the corners.
Karlis Skrastins successfully broke the iron-man record for defensemen tonight and did it while blocking 3 shots and logging 20:03 of ice-time. Clark was again the #1 man in ice-time, followed by Leopold then Skrastins who were a mere 9 seconds apart. Clark was -3, Skrastins -2, Leopold, Liles, and Vaananen were -1, and Sauer was even. Yep, Kurt Sauer was not on the ice for a single goal tonight and he had 18 minutes in ice-time. The rest of the defense should hang their heads in shame at that. Even Ossi managed to go -1 with a mere 8 minutes in ice-time. This loss, to me, hangs squarely on the defenses shoulders. Not a single person, just the defense as a crew.
The Good
- 48 shots (I guess it should go here)
- 3rd line showed a pulse
- May delivered some grit
The Bad
- flat start after a huge win
- 6 goals against
- the whole "forgetting 60 minutes" for the umpteenth time
The Ugly
- Guite's hit (he left his feet, it was not a legit hit)
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Post-game vs Atlanta - Feb 8, 2007
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3 Comments:
Nice write-up. May was indeed a mixed blessing tonight. He provided some of the energy we were expecting but they just couldn't take advantage of it. Hopefully they'll get used to playing like it matters asap.
I'm like you, where I don't realistically see any playoff light at the end of this tunnel. Hopefully, management will realize this soon and start developing some talent during the last bit of the season but getting some of the younger players more ice time. Perhaps riding Theo (as much as it pains me to watch him play net) and seeing if there is anything left in the tank and possibly move him this summer is an option too.
Anonymous,
Yep, hopefully it's not too late for them to wake up and make a run.
Mike,
Given the talks of buying out Theodore's contract, which would give about a 2 mill cap hit I think, then they might as well ride him once the season is out of reach and see what happens.
Thanks for reading!
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