In this episode, the second part of our conversation from this week, Ian Cerveny, Preston Underwood, Dan Olson, and I (Jason Ackerman) talk about the Avalanche – we start with a little Foppa-related nostalgia, then we talk about the two major trades – the Craig Anderson deal, the Stewart/Shattenkirk for Johnson/McClement deal, and we wrap up with some talk about what has happened to the Avs, and is Joe Sacco to blame?

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Chris Stewart getting ready for a scrimmage at Avalanche training camp (photo credit: Jason Ackerman)

This is a morning habit I’d like to break at some point – turning on the computer after a night blissfully disconnected from the wired world, only to find that the local team is involved in yet another trade. A day after sending goalie Craig Anderson packing to Ottawa, the Avalanche traded winger Chris Stewart and rookie standout defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to the St. Louis Blues for former number 1 pick and US Olympic team defenseman Erik Johnson and forward Jay McClement. The teams also swapped draft choices in the deal, Colorado’s second round pick going to St. Louis for a first round pick, this year or next, depending on how St. Louis finishes the season.

While the trade of goalie Craig Anderson was done more the change of scenery and the perceived loss of confidence, this trade clearly marks a shift in the Avalanche’s direction in rebuilding the team. As recently as a few months ago, Stewart was considered one of the hottest young forwards in the league, posting goals at a blistering pace before breaking his hand in a fight in late November. Since coming back from that injury, he struggled to find a consistent zone, and has yet to regain his scoring touch. Giving up on Stewart so early however could come back to bite the Avalanche (as early as Tuesday when the Avs play the Blues) as Stewart is young and passionate, and still has the potential to have a fantastic career ahead of him. This trade also may serve to show how deep the depths of Joe Sacco’s doghouse can reach.

Kevin Shattenkirk was the darling of the rookie class this year – a defenseman with the ability to score from the blue line. He was invited to participate in the skills competition at the All Star Game this year, and while Sacco tends to send guys up and down to Lake Erie like errand boys, Shattenkirk has enjoyed the consistency of being on the Avs roster without interruption since his call up early in the season. It seems clear that this trade was made for defensive reasons, and the thinking is that Johnson is an upgrade over Shattenkirk, and Stewart was part of the deal to ‘sweeten the pot’ for St. Louis to pull the trigger.

Erik Johnson was the number one overall pick in the 2006 draft, but missed all of the 2008-09 season due to a knee injury suffered in a golf cart accident. The Avs are counting on his presence on the blue line, to bring back the ability to grind out games that end up being played in the trenches. The Avalanche’s extremely aggressive attacking style, running and shooting (remember the NFL run and shoot offense?) before opposing defenses could get set, is no longer getting the job done now that teams have figured out how to throw them off their game.

This may just be another step in the overhaul of the Avalanche defense – small, speedy defensemen are exciting to watch but when that’s all you have, it’s hard to consistently win hockey games. Throw in a goaltender’s struggle, and you have a recipe for – oh, say, a 9 game losing streak for instance.

Both Johnson and McClement will be in tonight’s lineup against San Jose, and the first head to head matchup with Stewie and Shattenkirk on the opposing side takes place Tuesday, as the Avs play a “makeup” game in St. Louis.

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Craig Anderson gets loose at Avs training camp before the 2010-11 season (Photo Credit: Ian Cerveny)

The Colorado Avalanche traded struggling goaltender Craig Anderson to the Ottawa Senators Friday in return for Brian Elliot, the Senators’ own version of a struggling goaltender. With a 9 game skid and the season rapidly imploding, it’s not surprising to see the Avalanche make a move. It’s not even all that surprising to see a goaltender trade, although to trade one goalie on a mind-bending skid for another seems odd, with very little financial incentive in the deal. (The Avalanche are almost at the FLOOR on salary – they can’t trim much else.) It makes one wonder how things were progressing with Anderson behind closed doors. His story and Elliot’s are nearly identical – played a career season a year ago, led the team to the playoffs, then struggled to regain form this year, each goalie posting only 13 wins.

The real tragedy in this move is not that the Avalanche chose to trade Anderson – trades happen, and when teams struggle mightily, desperate personnel moves often come into play, as coaches and GMs make the final flailing effort to save their jobs. It’s that Anderson was a brick wall. His first game in Denver was against San Jose, and by the middle of the second period the crowd – no stranger to great goaltending, only a few years removed from the Roy era – was chanting his name in unison. Whether it was just an aberration of a year, or the result of a freak knee injury, Anderson seemed lost as the 2010-11 season rolled on. Finally, with the deadline approaching, they went with the “change of scenery” motif, hoping that Elliot stands a better chance of regaining last year’s form than Anderson does. This will likely not be the last move the Avs make this season, although it’s probably the last goaltending move for a bit – Avs management is eager to see what WHL prospect Calvin Pickard (currently playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL) can do once he is ready to advance beyond major junior level.

Elliot, a former Wisconsin-Madison standout and AHL star, posted 29 wins and a 2.57 goals against average last season for Ottawa, though his numbers this season are significantly worse (13 wins, 3.57 GAA). Visa issues won’t allow him to suit up for Avs straight away, so John Graeme was recalled from Lake Erie to backup Budaj until Elliot can join the team.

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The Avalanche offense, once the best in hockey, has fallen apart in January.  An attack that averaged 3.5 goals per game through December has put up a paltry 2.4 goals per game in January.

With Craig Anderson and the Avalanche defense struggling mightily with consistency, 2.4 goals just doesn’t win a lot of hockey games.  Especially when your defense offers up an average of 3.4 goals per game to opposing offenses.

Now the Avalanche have been bumped out of the playoff picture following dismal performances at home versus Nashville & Boston.  A week that began with a rousing 4-3 win over the league-best Vancouver Canucks sputtered into futility after it was learned that speedy Czech winger Tomas Fleischmann will miss the rest of the year due to blood clots in both lungs.

Colorado’s offense needs to collect itself and rediscover the flow that made it unstoppable early in the season.

Colorado’s defense needs to buckle down and start making stands at the blue line instead of playing chase after the seal has been broken.

Monday, January 24^th vs St Louis Blues (7:30 MST)

After finishing December on a five-game winning streak against some top West competitors, the Blues have struggled even more mightily than the Avs in January.

Like Colorado, the Blues’ defense has been a sieve this month.  Top goalie Jaroslav Halak occasionally backstops a gem, but gets flustered by early goals and gives up 4+ with regularity.

The Avalanche absolutely must come out blazing in this game if they hope to salvage their five-game homestand going into the All Star Break.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 5, Blues 3

Wednesday, January 26^th vs Phoenix Coyotes (7:00 MST)

The Coyotes have come on strong after struggling early in the year.  They play the speedy Avalanche forwards tough and force action to the boards better than any team this side of Detroit.  In fact, their style of play reminds of a Detroit-lite… as in lite on talent.

What they lack in big-name talent the Coyotes make up for in grit and hard-nosed play.  Bad news for the Avalanche.  Phoenix shut out the Avs earlier this month in Colorado, and will be coming off a cupcake home contest against the pathetic Edmonton Oilers.

If the Avalanche want a win, they will either need Peter Forseberg to sweep in and save them, or they will have to simply outwork their opponent in the little battles that decide most hockey games.  Avs fans are praying for the former.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 2, Coyotes 3

**BONUS COVERAGE**

The triumphant return of Foppa?

Looks like it.  Peter Forseberg flew to Denver late last week and has been skating with the team in practice ever since.  Word on the street has Foppa signing with the Avalanche once both parties are convinced that he has his legs back… and that his troublesome foot will hold up under the wear-and-tear of NHL play.

Unlike previous comeback attempts, Forseberg has been resting instead of rehabbing through Swedish league play.  He is reportedly at his best health in years, even at the advanced age of 37.

Here’s hoping for a career Renaissance for our beloved Foppa, Peter the Great, the Swedish Beast.  Although hoping that Forseberg will save our season may be a bit too much to ask.

If Peter does sign with the Avalanche this week, do not expect him to play until after the All Star Break.

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The Avalanche were teased last week with the return of star goalie Craig Anderson.  Now they need him to return to 100% in a hurry to stay competitive in the West.

Anderson played a stellar game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, but saw so much work that he was rested the following night in Tampa Bay.  The dropoff between Andy and backup Peter Budaj was made all too apparent as Budaj allowed six goals.  (The continued poor play of the Colorado defense was also made apparent, as the Avalanche allowed 39 shots to reach Budaj.)

The Colorado offense shone again, however, scoring five goals on just 24 shots.  Makes you wonder what this team could do with a solid defensive core and a healthy Craig Anderson.

Now the Avalanche have made their bi-weekly trip out of the 8-team Western Conference playoff field.  The ongoing flux of West contenders should have Colorado back in the hunt by week’s end, but the second half of their east-coast road swing stands in the way.

Tuesday, December 7^th @ Florida Panthers (5:30 MST)

The Avalanche have always enjoyed a thorough dominance of the Panthers.  Dating back to Colorado’s Stanley Cup sweep of their Eastern cousins, the Avs have always taken care of business in Florida.

Last season the Avalanche escaped with a point from a shootout loss in Florida before trouncing the Panthers in Colorado 0-3.  This season the two teams meet just once, and the battle will be fought in Sunrise, Florida’s BankAtlantic Center.

Expect the Avalanche to grab an early lead against an inferior team.  If Anderson plays, we might see ol’ Craigers pitch a shutout against his former team.  If Budaj starts and the Avalanche take their typical mid-game nap, this one could get too interesting for comfort.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Panthers 1

Friday, December 10^th @ Atlanta Thrashers (5:30 MST)

Atlanta has been on a tear that included a 3-2 OT win in Colorado a week ago.

Bad news for the Avalanche, especially considering the rise of young goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.  After all, no defense can stop the Colorado offense, but a hot goalie can.

In their last nine games, the Thrashers have lost just once; to the equally hot Pittsburgh Penguins, winners of ten straight.  Worse than the Thrashers’ great play is the awkward scheduling levied against the Avalanche on this road trip.  Another road game, another opponent playing on multiple days rest.

Atlanta has the entire week to get ready for the Avalanche and a charged home crowd to motivate them for a big Friday night game.  This combination does not bode well…

PREDICTION: Avalanche 2, Thrashers 3 (SO)

Saturday, December 11^th @ Washington Capitals (5:00 MST)

Remember that awkward scheduling comment?  It comes into play again when the Avalanche travel to Washington for their second back-to-back set on this 5-game road trip.  Also working against Colorado is a Capitals team that just got their semi-regular 3-game losing streak out of the way for the month of December.

For a club with the talent level of the Washington Capitals there is no greater gift than a road-weary opponent with bad defense.  Expect the Caps to score often.

Can the Avalanche keep up in a scorefest?  No doubt.  Can they do it at the end of a long road trip in the second half of back-to-back games?  Not bloody likely.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 3, Capitals 5

**BONUS COVERAGE**

Not much extracurricular activity this week for the Avalanche.  Last week I talked about the Avs’ acquisition of two new readheaded hockey demons, so we’ll just do a status update on center Tomas Fleischmann.

Excitingly enough, Tomas is rumored to be skating this week with countryman Milan Hejduk and powerful young forward Matt Duchene.  I hinted at the powerful combination of Czech forwards last week, but we’ll go a little more in-depth here.

The Czech style of offensive attack is amazingly similar to a lot of the run ‘n gun transition offenses of the modern NHL.  Fleischmann’s former team, the Washington Capitals, come with speed and authority through the neutral zone, and Tomas has had no trouble translating that aspect of his game to the Avalanche.  (He logged two assists and three shots on goal at Tampa Bay.)

But in Washington Fleishmann was relegated to third line play.  With the Avalanche he has a chance to shine.  And with Milan Hejduk & Matt Duchene for linemates he has a chance to get comfortable and produce consistent offensive effort.  In fact, a big week from the newest Avalanche forward could swing a losing road trip in Colorado’s favor.

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A perfect week for the Avalanche (4-0) launched them from 9^th in the Western Conference to 3^rd as the leaders of the Northwest Division.

Colorado’s offense was already rolling along at a league-leading 3.6 goals per game clip.  The return of top goaltender Craig Anderson versus the NY Rangers on Friday sparked a defense that has struggled through injuries to four of its top six defenders.  The Avs blew past New York in that game to the tune of a 5-1 shellacking before edging the Stars in Dallas on Saturday.

Now the Avalanche get Anderson close to 100% in a stretch of games that will determine whether or not Colorado keeps its tenuous hold on the Northwest.  This week is all about division play, and it starts tonight as the Avs travel to Vancouver to take on the 2^nd place Canucks.

Wednesday, November 24^th @ Vancouver Canucks (8:00 MST)

The Avalanche stole a point in their first trip to Vancouver this season, forcing Overtime in a game eventually won by the Canucks.  That was the night almost a month ago that Craig Anderson limped off the ice after hurting his knee in pre-game warm-ups.

This time around Colorado is predominantly healthy and absolutely deadly on offense.  The two teams have been heading in opposite directions of late, with the Avs winning four straight while the ‘Nucks lost their last four.

Expect a no-holds-barred brawl in Vancouver tonight with just two points separating the Canucks from the Avalanche at the top of the Northwest Division.  Bottom line – if Craig Anderson can return quickly to elite form, the Avalanche win.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Canucks 3

Thursday, November 25^th @ Edmonton Oilers (7:00 MST)

After a resurgent season in 2009, the Oilers are back to square one.  They are an NHL-worst -33 in goal differential, allowing an absurd 82 goals in 20 games this season.

For you math wonks, that’s 4.1 goals allowed per game.  Introduce the Avs’ 3.6 goals per game to the equation and what you have is a scorefest mitigated by Colorado’s ability to stop a few transition chances.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 5, Oilers 2

Friday, November 27^th vs Minnesota Wild (7:00 MST)

Playing the Oilers for the first time this season is one thing.  Playing the tough-as-nails Minnesota Wild for the first time this season is something else entirely.

Even if this version of the Wild will never be an elite team in the hyper-competitive West, they could win a division in the East on the strength of their defense alone.  That D-first approach regularly frustrates the Avalanche on offense, and undisciplined defense eventually becomes their undoing.

Now, Joe Sacco has Colorado playing remarkably responsible hockey for a club packed to the gills with young talent.  If the Avs win, it will be thanks to Sacco’s guidance, but the Wild are veteran scrappers and this smells like an upset to me.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 2, Wild 3

**BONUS COVERAGE**

Roughly 20 games into the season the wild, wild western conference  remains predictably tight.  A mere five points separate the #1 Red Wings from the #8 Vancouver Canucks, and if the playoffs started today that would be as fiery a first round matchup between top and bottom as you are ever likely to see.

The West really only has one truly bad team in the Edmonton Oilers, and those Oilers have already beaten the Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks twice this season.  The Calgary Flames have the West’s only other sub-.500 record, and the Flames are still just -2 in goal differential despite going 2-8 following a heart-stomping 6-5 home loss to the Avalanche.

The moral of the story is this:

Every Western Conference team needs to win against the bottom half of the league if they hope to make the playoff field.  The difference in team talent is marginal amongst the top 15 teams in the West, and it will be dedicated team play on both sides of the puck that decides the top eight.  Against the East?  Fuggetaboutit.  The teams that win in the West will do it by dominating their sickly sisters along the right coast.

Where do the Avalanche sit in all of this?

Outside of bad losses to Calgary at home and the Islanders in New York, the Avs are playing up against every opponent.  They compete in almost every game, and are seeing young defenders stepping in to shore up a loose defense.

Colorado has routinely roughed up the weaker Eastern Conference opposition in seasons past, and can challenge the West leaders with a strong five-game East road trip to kick off December.

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When a visit from the Calgary Flames elicits a sigh of relief, you know the Western Conference has gotten rough.

Through 13 games Colorado is hanging tough in the middle of both the Northwest Division & the Western Conference.  Despite losing goaltender Craig Anderson to injury, the Avalanche have continued to win tight games by virtue of their scoring depth.  A 3-1 loss last week to the very good Vancouver Canucks broke up a string of 5-goal games that was renewed with Saturday’s 5-0 romp in Dallas.

Tuesday, November 9^th vs Calgary Flames (7:30 MST)

The Avalanche will look to extend an embarrassing stretch of four consecutive losses for the Flames that dropped them from the top of the division to near the bottom.  Calgary continues to struggle on offense, as they did the last two seasons.  Consecutive 1-2 losses to Detroit & Minnesota make them unlikely winners coming to Denver.

Colorado probably won’t keep its 5-goal streak alive tonight, but the likely return of key role-player David Jones to the lineup bodes well for a win.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 3, Flames 2

Friday, November 12^th @ Columbus Blue Jackets (5:00 MST)

Peter Budaj had a great game in net for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over Columbus a couple weeks ago.  That rout took place in Denver, and the Avalanche actually play better on the road.  Given the Blue Jackets’ woeful attendance and average offense, Columbus will again have nothing to counter Colorado’s far superior team ferocity and speed.

Call it a win for the Avalanche and a move to the upper half of the packed Western Conference standings.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Blue Jackets 2

Saturday, November 13^th @ Detroit Red Wings (5:00 MST)

It was Peter Budaj spelling a healthy Craig Anderson that led to a rousing 5-4 SO victory for the Avalanche in Detroit earlier this season.   Peter was stellar in that deciding shootout three games into the season, stopping all six Detroit shooters.

Now the de facto starter, Budaj and the Avs D will need to play better in regulation to steal another win at the Joe.  The Red Wings have returned to top-o-conference form, and are a force to be reckoned with especially at home.

Colorado already got their gutsy (slightly lucky) win in Detroit this season when the Red Wings were still working to find a groove.  Now the Wings have clamped down on defense with young goalie Jimmy Howard holding sway between the posts.  Not a good sign for the Avalanche.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 3, Red Wings 5

**BONUS COVERAGE**

The Avalanche are a work in progress on defense, but their offense is capable of scoring on the Best of the West.

Consider this: Colorado has the second-most goals in the Western Conference with 45 in 13 games.  That’s good for a gaudy 3.5 goals per game.  The only team with more scores?  The Chicago Blackhawks whose 50 goals have come in 17 games which factors out to a much less impressive 2.9 goals per game.

In a Western Conference stacked with tough defensive teams the Avalanche find a way to score 3+ goals almost every night.  Crummy defense or not, Colorado will continue to win high-scoring games against the league’s top teams.

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Colorado had an outstanding Week Three, scoring 14 goals over three games.  The Avalanche stole a point in an OT loss at Vancouver before blazing through Calgary and dominating Columbus at home.

Unfortunately, goalie Craig Anderson was lost to injury for an undetermined period of time last week.  The injury was sustained during warm-ups in Vancouver, and was the product of a non-contact leg extension.  In his stead Peter Budaj has held up okay, but both goaltenders play behind one of the worst defenses in the league.

Thursday, November 4^th vs Vancouver Canucks (7:00 MST)

The Avalanche were the better team in Vancouver, but could not hammer home the win.  Their outstanding offensive play against a Cup contender in the Canucks has me believing that Colorado can beat any team on any given night.

The Avalanche are rested and they play tough in division contests, so I’ll recycle my prediction from last week’s OT loss.  This time the ‘Lanche get the extra-time goal.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Canucks 3 SO

Saturday, November 6^th vs Dallas Stars (7:00 MST)

The Stars are playing outstanding, attack-oriented hockey right now.  They just thumped the Penguins and will play the Coyotes before coming to Denver on short rest.

Colorado & Dallas are similarly defensively challenged and are starting average goaltenders in front of a porous defensive front.  That sounds like a recipe for another Avalanche barn-burner, and likely a win given the Avs’ ample rest this week.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 6, Stars 4

**BONUS COVERAGE**

Defense, defense, defense.

Surely this is the message head coach Joe Sacco has been hammering home all week.

The Avalanche had a curious 5-day break between home games that started last Saturday, so there will be no excuse for the Colorado D to be anything less than crisp tonight.  Personnel is a part of the issue – the Avalanche have a lot of young defenders – but this offense-or-bust mentality is also a part of the reason the Avs give up so many goals.

Sacco rarely has the luxury of an early lead, so it is difficult to do anything but send his team full-throttle to the net.  Still, a focus on defense must be developed for this team to succeed in a stacked Western Conference.  With Andy out for who-knows-how-long, now is the time to get these young defenders and forwards to buckle down and learn to play responsible team defense at an NHL level.

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Mon @ NY Rangers, Thu vs. San Jose, Sat vs Los Angeles

The Avalanche are 3-2 after a long first week that included four straight road games following an Opening Day win over the Cup Champion Blackhawks in Denver.

Colorado’s three victories have all come by a single goal, one of those in Overtime and another in a Shootout.  The third saw Craig Anderson stop 41 shots on the way to a tough 3-2 victory in New Jersey.

Oh, and the Avs bumped off the hated Red Wings in Detroit to kick off the teams’ four-game season series.

In two losses the Avalanche have played well.

They came out strong and couldn’t convert good chances in a loss to the high-scoring Islanders.  More impressively, Colorado came from two goals down to tie the defending Eastern Conference Champion Flyers in Philadelphia before the home team bounced a mucky game-winner past Andy with a couple minutes to play in the 3^rd Period.

In all, the Avalanche are making the best of a very tough opening schedule, and the hits just keep coming in Week 2…

Mon, Oct 18^th @ New York Rangers (5:00 MST)

The Rangers make the most of their few offensive chances, and the Avalanche will need to be very focused defensively in this game as a result.

That said, expect Colorado to push the play more often than New York and generate lots of shots on goal.

This early in the season the Avalanche have an odd advantage; they have played five games to the Rangers’ three.  The Avs’ young guns are warmed up and ready to hit high gear.  Meanwhile, New York is already down two top scorers in Marian Gaborik & Chris Drury, both out for multiple weeks after a rough ‘n tumble loss to Toronto.

PREDICTION:  AVALANCHE 4, RANGERS 2

Thu, Oct 21^st vs. San Jose Sharks (7:00 MST)

It’s too early to be sure that the NHL has passed the Sharks by, but still…

Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov tucked tail and headed for the Russian Kontinental Hockey League after failing to carry San Jose to the Cup Finals once again.  In turn, the Sharks signed the goalie that defeated them in their Western Conference Series loss to the Blackhawks.  German import Antti Niemi stood on his head in the final two rounds of the 2010 Playoffs for Chicago, but his body of work over the course of a regular season is less impressive.

The Sharks bankrolled new contracts for the same underachieving duo that has disappeared from five consecutive postseasons: Joe Thornton got a 3-year $21 million extension and Patrick Marleau, realizing he had less value on the open market, got four years at $27.6 million.

Meanwhile San Jose has started out a disappointing 1-2 and will make a tough road visit to hard-hitting Carolina before traveling to Denver.

The moral of this story?

The Sharks’ ship has sailed and this year is the beginning of their inevitable decline from the top of the Western Conference.  The Avalanche are young, talented, playing great team hockey, and coming home from an early gut-check 5-game road trip.  Colorado will play up for this game in a big way after getting muscled out of last year’s playoffs by these veteran Sharks.

PREDICTION:  AVALANCHE 4, SHARKS 3

Sat, Oct 23^rd vs. Los Angeles Kings (7:00 MST)

The Kings are the most dangerous team in the West for the Avalanche this season.

Colorado is the second-youngest team in the NHL with a scary-good nucleus of speedy goal-scorers.  The Avalanche have a chance to build a long-term Cup Contender starting now.  The youngest club in the league?  These LA Kings.

Los Angeles is every bit as potent with their expedient movement of the puck through the neutral zone, aggressive forechecking and underestimated goaltending.  They are the mirror image of our Avalanche, and the games between these teams this season will be the beginning of a long battle for conference supremacy.

As well as the Avs are playing this season, the Kings are playing better.

LA has allowed exactly one goal in three of their first four games, and the three goals allowed in that fourth game (their only loss) were scored on backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier in Calgary.  Starter Jonathan Quick is as good as any goalie in the NHL, and he is just beginning to hit his stride.

PREDICTION:  AVALANCHE 2, KINGS 3 (OT)

WEEK 2 PREDICTION:  2-1

**Bonus Coverage**

The Avs’ 2-5 loss to the Islanders on Saturday came the night after goalie Craig Anderson stopped 41 of 43 shots in a thorough out-dueling of future HOFer Martin Brodeur in New Jersey.  Earlier in the week Colorado backup Peter Budaj stopped all six Red Wings shooters in a 5-4 Shootout victory.

The Avalanche have two capable goaltenders, and Craig Anderson ended up overworked at the end of last season.  That cannot be the case again this year, and the obvious answer is starting Budaj more often.  He is a better post-regulation goaltender than Andy, and more than worthy of shouldering some of the burden.

Despite the ultra-tight Northwest Division and the equally competitive Western Conference, Colorado has to find a way to spell Anderson after taking on 43 shots worth of work the night before a road game.  No excuse for not doing so.

Hopefully in the future we will see a more liberal use of Peter Budaj and a more rested Craig Anderson when the games matter most.

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• December 7, 2010 -- 2010 Avalanche Week 9 Preview (0)
  the Avalanche have made their bi-weekly trip out of the...

So that brings up a question, one that I fear is impossible to answer – who had the most impressive performance this weekend? Just for fairness, I’ll put in Carmelo’s 42 against Utah, but we all know that pales to the greatness we saw on the diamond and on the ice.

[poll id="5"]

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