Gameday: Avalanche vs Flyers

You know what the biggest thought on my mind is for this game? Not who's in net (which never is my biggest thought anyways) but whether the Flyers are going to continue their run of questionable hits and possibly send an Avalanche player to the sidelines.

After Riley Cote became suspension #5 on the season for the Flyers, the team itself was "put on notice." Whatever the hell that means. In the circle of suspensions, Steve Downie has been called up from the AHL to replace Cote. And if you think Downie has learned his lesson, think again. Check out the scoresheet from a recent AHL game between the Phantoms and Monsters and total up his penalty minutes. Good grief.

Anyways, there'll still be a hockey game to watch tonight so let's get down to it. First off, Jose Theodore is in net. I usually don't weight in too much on goaltending but...are you kidding me? After each had 2 consecutive starts, Budaj now gets one shot and it's back to Theodore. And if the team is to win, does Theodore get the next start? Or is the rotation still on? Does Q even know what his own plan is for goaltending or is he just tossing darts at names on the wall?

Joe Sakic will sit out this game as well and be re-evaluated this weekend. In other words, as was speculated here and elsewhere, it's not a minor injury as initially reported. Jordan Leopold participated in full contact practice yesterday but isn't quite ready to return yet. And Kurt Sauer is still out with a neck injury.

I'm still looking forward to this game as I'm a Mike Richards fan and it's not often we see the Flyers come to town. Puck drop is at 9:08 ET and it should be a good game. But I think that every game.

Related Links
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Liles as Trade Bait?
Rocky Mountain News Avalanche Report
Terry Frei on the Avalanche's Underachievements