Hockey and the Eve of the New Year…
The Colorado Avalanche (19-16-1) come to town to face the Phoenix Coyotes (17-15-5). By virtue of their crushing win over the Nashville Predators the other night, the Avalanche leap frog over the Phoenix Coyotes and take the seventh playoff position away due to their higher number of wins.
Like I said, winning both games against Los Angeles would be pretty significant. Now, they face a focused, and hot Avalanche team that is 7-3 in their last ten, winning three in a row without Joe Sakic, and their last two without Peter Stasny. Both players will still be out for a significant length of time.
However, head coach Tony Granto has his team playing well without its star players save for Ryan Smyth. One could surmise that Smyth would be carrying his team, but that isn’t really the case.
The Avalanche blue line has gotten pucks through for scoring opportunities. At one point in the Avalanche victory over the Predators, each pair of defensemen had points. That type of scoring is what the Coyotes need also.
It could have been the Predators had to travel a long way to a high altitude on a back-to-back contest (and we have seen that before as well – what is up with that schedule anyway?), but the Avalanche had their way with the weak side pressure to score goals. The Coyotes’ defense must keep their heads on swivels to prevent that from happening.
Additionally, Coyotes’ goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov looks to be game-time decision with a sore back.
It’s a meaningful New Years’ Eve game. Hopefully, it will be a good one.
Other notable links:
From the Denver Post:
Injuries Leave Avalanche Uncentered but Upbeat
From Mile High Hockey:
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