Happy New Year

Sorry haven’t posted for a bit I have been away. Anyways, I am back and have set a new years resolution to post more!

Also I want to begin a talkcast this year; I am just trying to see the best time to do this. Let me know what your suggestions are.

A lot to catch up about on the Lake Erie Avalanche, woops I mean Colorado Avalanche. The injuries have piled up at a very critical time of the season. With Smyth and Sakic out long term, this team needs every player on the roster to give it their all every shift. The lines are going to change consistently and it’s really going to be an approach of who is fresh at that moment.

Last night’s game was a gutsy performance, yes the Avs ran into a very hot goalie, but if you look at the way everyone played it was an absolute gutsy performance. The player of the game in my eyes was Wojtek Wolski. He looked confident and very strong on the puck. We know he has the talent, the expectations of him maybe to high considering his age, but right now with the injuries the Avs need the young superstars like Wolski to play inspired every game.

For the Avs to get through this injury period there will have to be a new player every game to perform above and beyond they have all season.

Two players who have continued to impress me during this injury period have been Hlinka and Finger. Finger adds that toughness on the blue line and plays with an edge. Hlinka is finally settling in to the NHL and is playing with confidence.

The goaltending during this time has to be better than average. The Avs can’t have one or two good games by the goalies in a row, they need exceptional goaltending every game to stand a chance. It is up to Budaj and Theodore to make sure this happens.

This upcoming 5 game road trip is crucial for the Avs. They are playing the best team in the league in Detroit on Tuesday as a nationally televised game. The Avs have not played well on the road, but if they continue to struggle they will be out of a playoff spot looking in, something they don’t want. The power play needs to begin to capitalize! I say put Lappy right in front of the net

The Avs will also be having their rookie party during this road trip, which always bonds the club. Hopefully this will help them with their performance on the ice as well.

Tyler Arnason has been skating and is aiming for a return on Wednesday in Washington. Also, the Avs reassigned Richardson to the Monsters.

So do the Avs make a trade? I think if the first three games on the road are not played well, Giguere will pull the trigger and the name that comes up is Liles, he is a player many teams want.

The call-ups from Lake Erie have played great, their expectations have been huge, but at the end of the day it’s the consistency that the young players struggle with. Until they get healthy they need Hejduk, Brunette, Stastny and the Goalies to carry them.

The positives are the Avs hold the 8th and final spot and are 6 games above 500. If the Avs can improve their road record during this trip it will say a lot about the character of this team.

Look forward to keeping my new years resolution and for the Avs to keep battling through the injuries.

Next Up Wings on Tuesday

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Puneet Chopra
“Chopper”
choppershouse@gmail.com

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