Forsberg might play; Theodore simply must

Goalie, forward want to bounce back for Game 3

By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Whether the Avalanche can stage a comeback against the Detroit Red Wings depends on a number of factors, none more important than the ability of goalie Jose Theodore to bounce back from two poor performances and the availability of Peter Forsberg.

"I didn't play the way I wanted to, and I know I can play better," Theodore said Monday. "If we're going to have a chance to win, I have to play better. That's no secret."

Down 2-0 in the series, the Avalanche's chances also would improve if Forsberg plays tonight at the Pepsi Center after sitting out both games in Detroit because of a nagging groin injury.

Including the regular season, the Avalanche has a 12-3 record when the 34-year-old left wing is in the lineup and 2-6-1 since his return to the team when he isn't.

"It's pretty obvious what a difference Peter makes," captain Joe Sakic said. "He's one of the better players in the game, and he creates a lot of attention.

"It's a must-win for us to try and get back in the series."

Forsberg practiced Monday for the first time since reaggravating the injury in the morning skate before Game 1 on Thursday.

"Peter skated and looked OK, so we'll visit with him again (today)," coach Joel Quenneville said. "It's positive that he skated and looked good."

Quenneville said there's "a chance" defenseman Scott Hannan could play. Hannan was scratched Saturday with what Quenne ville said is a "foot problem" and he didn't practice Monday.

Forsberg was a bit testy after the workout, obviously not pleased the seriousness of his ailment has been questioned in some quarters.

"It's hard sitting on the side," he said. "I worked hard at home for eight months and I didn't come here to sit in the dressing room or not play in the playoffs. Hopefully, I can play (tonight)."

Forsberg took part in the pregame warm-up Saturday but didn't feel well enough to play. Asked how close he came to suiting up, he said: "I don't know, you tell me. I know it's a long playoffs and I wasn't good enough to play."

Asked how he felt Monday, Forsberg said with a touch of sarcasm: "It felt fabulous."

Forsberg practiced on a line with Joe Sakic and Andrew Brunette. If he plays tonight, he'll be on a line centered by Sakic or Paul Stastny.

"I think I have to be in the situation where I cannot reinjure it," he said. "I try to go out and do my best every single game, and if I can't play it's unfortunate. Nobody wants to play more than I want to play, but what am I supposed to do? If it doesn't feel good and I go out, I'm going to hurt it even more and be out for the rest of the playoffs.

"I've been having this groin problem for a long time. I had it for ages. I played with it before, and if it's not good enough, I just reinjure it and I'd be out for a much longer time. That's why I didn't dress."

Even if Forsberg plays, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said, it's imperative his team not stray from the "blueprint" that was so successful at Joe Louis Arena.

"It just makes it another guy you have to be aware of," Babcock said of Forsberg. "(He's) as good at puck protection and as low of panic as there is in the league. He's a dynamic player. I just think it gives them one more weapon and one more guy to scare you.

"But as far as our plan and how we go about our business, it's going to be the same. Everyone knows who No. 21 is."

Three other Avalanche forwards - Milan Hejduk, Ian Laperriere and Ryan Smyth - didn't practice Monday, but Quenne- ville said they would play tonight.

So will Theodore, who looked fine in practice.

"He's feeling a lot better," Sakic said. "A couple days there he wasn't looking that good. He's got his energy back and he looks good."

Theodore started Game 1 despite feeling ill and was replaced by Peter Budaj at 1:13 of the second period after allowing four goals on 16 shots. He was yanked again in Game 2 at 10:11 of the second period after giving up four goals on 20 shots.

"I was ready to go and I didn't play as well as I wanted to," Theodore said. "There's no excuse. There wasn't an excuse in Game 1, either."

The Avalanche had Sunday off, giving Theodore a chance to catch up on some rest.

"Having a day off and having some food gave me a lot of energy," he said. "That's why I was able to push it really hard. I worked hard and I'm going to be ready to go."

• April 29, 2008

  9:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  psu96 writes:

  SIEVE!!!!

• April 29, 2008

  9:14 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  GoMaltby writes:

  I think that head line is wrong, or maybe just backwards. It should say "Forsberg simply must play; Theodore might"

  The Aves really need Forsberg to play injured or not. If the Wings go up 3-0 on the series, well better luck next year.

  If Theodore gets pulled in this game because of residual flu effects, I'm going to say "I TOLD YOU SO" tomorrow. You should have played Budaj.

  Disclaimer: If Theodore plays well win or loose, I'll admit it.

• April 29, 2008

  10:57 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  pcordoba writes:

  Don't blame Theodore.
  Simply, the team didn't attack.
  How can the Avs want to win a game without offense.
  The last two games were embrasing.
  Q had the whole fault.

• April 29, 2008

  11 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Big_M writes:

  Theodore is a good goalie, and maybe he can't steal a game or a series, but is definitely able to go at least two, maybe two and a half, periods of playoff hockey before getting yanked. Joel Quennville knows hockey, so you know he's on top of it.

  As for Forsberg, he can sit out another game- it's only Detroit, so coming back from 3-0 should be no problem. With him in, they're just that good.

• April 29, 2008

  11:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SE7EN writes:

  Yeah, easy to say that Forsberg must play even when injured. Sure, but he has a groin injury. Let's just say he plays tonight even though he's not ready. We might win, but what if that puts Forsberg out for the rest of the playoffs? That doesn't really help us either.

• April 29, 2008

  12:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GoMaltby writes:

  SE7EN you have a point, but despite Big_M's faith, if the Av's go down 3-0 there playoffs will be over by game 5 or 6 anyway.
  A broken Forsberg is twice as good as Cody McCormick, so the Av's would have the puck more, and keep some of the pressure off Theodore by playing in the Wings end more then in game 1 and 2.

  I feel coach Q is giving the game away by playing Theodore anyhow. The Wings will luck one by him in the 1st, everyone will be wondering when the next one is coming, especially Theodore. If the wings go up 2-0 in the 1st Theo gets pulled. Even if the Av's are up 2 or 3, if the wings get 2 goals in 2 minutes (even in the second or third) Theo probably gets pulled. He's set up to fail. Why not start Budaj, and if you have to pull him, you give Theodore a chance to be the hero, not the goat.

• April 29, 2008

  12:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  psu96 writes:

  good goalies dont win in the playoffs...he is a sieve.
  GO FLYERS!!!

• April 29, 2008

  12:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  psu96 writes:

  GET YOUR BROOMS READY!!!

• April 29, 2008

  12:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  detroitmetal writes:

  Quenville reminds me of George Costanza from Seinfeld. If you walk around with a serious/concerned look on your face, then people will think you know what you are doing and that you are busy.

  I was thrilled when the Avs hired him. If you want to beat Detroit forecheck 2 - drop one back. Quenville would never do that, and if he did, Babcock would switch to dump and chase and most likely win anyway.

• April 29, 2008

  12:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  RustyWon writes:

  Unfortunately, the red wings are the best team in hockey right now.
  They'd probably beat the Pens in 5 or 6.

  The Avs are going to have to play above their heads to win 4 out of the next 6. It can be done, but it's an uphill battle.

  Sort of like the battle Paterno has getting up 5 times every night to take a leak.
  Lions will never win anything as long as he's coach.

  I know psu, it's off the point, but I got nothing else.
  Enjoy it while you still can.

  Go Avs!

• April 29, 2008

  7:04 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  NotanAVeragefan writes:

  Hey, home crowd, Forsberg might be back, it's do or die for the Avs and I assume they're going to be up for this one. I'm sure they can pull this one out of thin air (thin air, get it?)
  Anyhow, if they lose, Quenville probably just should announce that they're conceding and forget about the last game of the series.