KRIEGER: Avs figuring out right mix
By Dave Krieger, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Friday, March 28, 2008
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There are certain games you have to win in the NHL if you are to be taken seriously. Certain games you have to win to show you have a clue what's at stake.
Friday night, against an Edmonton team ready to be put out of its misery, was one of them.
There is something infuriating about the Avalanche on nights like this, when all they have to do is beat an inferior defensive team to put it permanently in the rearview.
Instead, the Avs dither around, over passing, breaking down on defense, frittering away a two-goal lead and suddenly trailing, looking at being thrown back into the pack, as the precious minutes dwindle down.
Maybe this is the way they like it. Maybe they are adrenaline junkies. Maybe this is the only way they can summon the urgency they need. We have seen it before, dating all the way back to the good old days, during Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote's first Colorado turn, when there was so much talent on the ice it was almost embarrassing.
In the final moments of regulation Friday night, that's what it looked like again. Down 4-3, Joel Quenneville pulled goaltender Jose Theodore and dispatched Forsberg, Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny, Milan Hejduk, Andrew Brunette and John-Michael Liles.
In those frantic final moments, the urgency returned, as if they had suddenly realized what was at stake. With 6 seconds remaining, Sakic slid a rebound past Dwayne Roloson.
"The place was rocking," said Stastny. "Basically it was a playoff-like atmosphere. It was unbelievable to play in."
"We knew if we could win this one we'd put ourselves in pretty good shape," Sakic said. "We've still got to go on the road and play well, and hopefully we can get two points out of Minnesota and make a race out of the division as well."
That was the enormous difference in Friday's outcome. Lose in regulation and the Avs would have been just two points ahead of Nashville and three up on Edmonton facing two of three remaining games away from the comfort of home ice.
Instead, they can now look upward at Minnesota. With two of the Avs' final games against the Wild, they still have a chance at the division title and home ice in the first round. These are the extremes of which the Avs are capable.
It's not just a matter of parity in the congested Northwest Division. It is a matter of a team only just now coming together trying to find itself at the most difficult possible time.
Forsberg now has six assists in the last two games, even as he tries to work out the timing with his new teammates. Asked how he thought the team played for most of Friday's game, he was characteristically blunt:
"So-so, I think. I don't think we played as good as we wanted. Their skilled forwards had a little too much time, I think, and got to do a little too many moves. But we battled and we came back. We came back a couple times; we tied it up 3-3 and 4-4, so just overall it's a great win for us."
Forsberg now has nine points in seven games after not playing in the NHL for nearly a year. And he's clearly dissatisfied; clearly anxious to be crisper with his new teammates.
"Hopefully it gets better and better," he said. "I hope I can get better. We'll see if it happens or not."
It's asking a lot. Sakic missed half the season with injury and is struggling to get his rhythm back, Friday's big goals - he scored in the shootout as well - notwithstanding.
Hejduk was missing in action for much of the season but is heating up at just the right moment.
Ryan Smyth, the big free-agent acquisition, has been, frankly, a disappointment.
Stastny, the child of the group, has been the most consistent contributor all season. Now he finally has help.
And then here come Forsberg and Foote, adding the talent and experience that could make them a postseason force if they can only learn how to play with one another in time.
The factor that gives them a chance to make some noise, of course, has nothing to do with any of these guys. Since Jan. 1, Theodore has trailed only Anaheim's Jean-Sebastian Giguere and New Jersey's Martin Brodeur in goals allowed per game.
It would be nice if they had another month to put all these elements together, but they don't. Friday's was a game they had to win and they came within 6 seconds of blowing it. But they didn't. When push came to shove, they shoved back.
"It's a huge turnaround for us to get the goal in the end and the shootout win," Forsberg said. "We're sitting better now."
They are still maddeningly inconsistent, which could easily spell doom sooner or later. But the ingredients of success are there, too. All they have to do is put them together.
Comments
Posted by mrfxx on March 29, 2008 at 3:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The one who is maddeningly incosistent is Theodore. How many 2 or 3 goal leads does he have to blow before others stop saying how wonderful he is?
Posted by T_Bone44 on March 29, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you think the Avs should sign Roy's son? If he doesn't stop the puck, he'll go after the guy who scored on him, or go after the other goalie. They may not win much, but it would be entertainment for the fans.
I do think Theodore is the best bet inbetween the pipes. His confidence is much better now and he is getting the W's. You can't rotate goalies (for key games) and expect them to do well. It's like rotating QB's in football. You tear down the confidence of this key position and they can't focus.
Jose should excel in the playoffs and prove his value to the team. That's what he was brought here for. He'll finally win over fans who have been calling for a change.
Posted by ThomasAVS on March 29, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
not the greatest game for theodore (after the first 10 minutes anyway)
but the oilers have been embarrassing defenses raising GAA's big time
for the last little while
and i disagree about smyth. you talk about sakic "missing half the season and
struggling to get his rhythm back." where do you get off saying smyth is a
disappointment? he busts up his ankle, comes back, and the very NIGHT
he has a breakout game and is looking like he is hitting his stride he gets
hit by jack johnson. a player cant hit his stride when he gets injured (at the
most inopportune times, mind you)
Posted by avs2001 on March 29, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone who keeps saying theo has been inconsistant isnt watching the games. There are only two goalies in the whole NHL with a better GAA since Jan 1. He has only allowed more than 2 goals 11 times in 40+ games since then, and the Avs won 6 of those games. When the offense couldnt find the back of the net, he kept them in those games, AND THE PLAYOFFS! All you theo doubters better start hoping now that the Avs dont let him walk this summer, because there isnt a better option out there.
Posted by Marty on March 29, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Theo was good enough on a night when his defense wasn't spectacular. As long as he's one goal better than the guy in the other net, I'm happy. I was, like most, dissatisfied with his play until around January. All along he has been nothing but a great team player, never complaining just working to get better. Bashing on him now, or worse, dumping him at season's end, would make all we've invested in him a complete waste. Roy didn't stop every shot but he was better than the other guy more than anyone in league history and we need about 19 more games like that from Theo this season and then everyone will be on his bandwagon until he signs on the dotted line.
Posted by IBleedOrange on March 29, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How many of the Theodore critics could even put the pads on right, much less have ever done the job? I've played goal for 40 years, and was as down on him as anybody, but the guy has gotten his game back. mrfxx, were you watching the two goals that tied it in the 1st?!? NOBODY would've had a chance on those. The guy is solid.
Having said all that, I am a little curious about Q's decision not to start Budaj against Edmonton the last 2 games, given his 5-0 record against them this year. Sometimes a guy just seems to have another team's number, so why not go with the guy who has theirs? Otherwise, ride Theodore the rest of the way.
Posted by Shaupeen on March 29, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been on the fence about Jose since he got here. He has just never won me over to his side. I'm hoping that changes in the next month. Here is his chance to earn his spot. So much depends...
Posted by avs2001 on March 29, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i totally agree with you marty, patty roy prided himself on beating the opposing goalie.and thats what jose has done. I would normally agree with IBLEEDORANGE but it seemed last time they played budaj it took theo a little time to find his groove in his next start.
Posted by ccash14 on March 29, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It amazes me how one person can be blamed for a teams under performance. Sometimes the goalie can lose games and sometimes the fault lies with the coaching staff or other players. The Avs are like the Nuggets in a lot of ways in that it appears they play down to their competition. The reality for the Avs is they have to find a way to play together very quickly. The goalie did not almost lose the game, the team stopped playing and got soft. Every team no matter what their record is, should be played for 60 mins. The Avs have to learn that. This was the difference in the Stanley cup teams. The did have more talent to pick up for the big guns when they had an off night. The goalie, no matter how good he is, can stop several defenders coming at him at once. He needs help! He may allow soft goals at times but overall he has played pretty good.
As for the Nuggets, when the stars remember that they have help and get the team involved earl, it makes it easier for them to score later on because it becomes more diffcult for teams to double them when the bench is scoring in aboundance as well.
It becomes a long night when Melo and AI try to get theirs (points) first, then have to go to the team when they have multiple defenders on becomes alot harder because they are in a watching mode instead of contributing mode.
Posted by queenjacyln on March 29, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The main problem I have with this article is this:
"An Edmonton team ready to be put out of its misery,"
What??? Edmonton was one of the hottest teams coming into our building last night. They had won 8 of their last 11 games and are now only 2 points out of the playoff spot. Edmonton had also won a huge game against the Wild early on in this week. They might not be the best team in the league but certainly are playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Don't take anything away from the Avs that the had to and did win this game.
I'm about done with the Theo bashing. Sure he's not perfect and sometimes the offense has to bail him out but that happens on every team. Haven't you all seen Luongo and Kipper have bad nights? Plus Theo's 2.40 goals against average and .911 save percentage is nearing the 2.27 goals against average and .919 numbers that he set back in his great 2003-2004 season with the Canadiens. Theo won the Avs some games when they only scored 1 or 2 goals for the night. Complain about him all you want but who is available who the Avs can go out and get then? Are we going to close Hasek or Brodeur? Is Roy going to get back in the time machine? Some suggestions would help.
Posted by 52hockey on March 29, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Av's have a good team. I realize that you (Krieger) are being paid to put your opinion down in print/online, but back-off. This team is finally at a point where the fans are excited. The players will have bad games. Give 'em a break.
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