The Avalanche are off to a very hot start, one might even say an unprecedented hot start. They are 7-4-0 on the year so far for 5th in the conference with 14 points. It has been a long four day delay since the Coyotes defeated the Kings 3-2 in OT on a goal by Daymond Langkow squeaking out a hard fought goalie duel of a win.
Phoenix is going for their 3rd straight victory against a Colorado squad who has been terrible at home compared to on the road (1-3). While I have still heard Avalanche fans call for Sacco’s head I just can’t understand it, he has been a solid coach so far including an amazing first year to his coaching debut and already starting this year on fire.
The new first line of Whitney-Hanzal-Vrbata has been on absolute fire since their reinstatement 2 games ago amassing 12 points combined. This new look gives a nice blend for the offense allowing some more depth to see some ice-time. The often pre-criticized Smith and Varlamov (Both for different reasons) have started the season off very well for their respective squads with a .919sv% and a .924sv% respectively.
Who's Got The Hot Stick? Vrbata now has 2 goals and 3 assists in the Coyotes' past two games. Martin Hanzal has 3 goals and 3 assists in the last four games. Kyle Quincey has 1 goal and 4 assists during a four-game points streak for the Avalanche to tie him for the team lead in scoring.
Injury Report : Michal Rozsival is still out indefinitely with a facial injury. Newly acquired Cal O’Reilly is day to day with a groin injury. For the Avs, former Coyote wunderkind Peter Mueller is out with concussion-like symptoms and Brandon Yip is out with a broken forearm.
Big Surprise : Not only is Gabriel Landeskog making a case for himself as rookie of the year so far, he is a part of what may be the best 3rd line in the NHL right now, he O’Reilly and (Former Coyote) Winnik have been an absolute force at both ends of the ice so far this season and definitely something to check out.
Coyotes Roster (Which is subject to change at the whims of Tippett) :
Ray Whitney – Martin Hanzal – Radim Vrbata
Lauri Korpikoski – Daymond Langkow – Shane Doan
Taylor Pyatt – Boyd Gordon – Mikkel Boedker
Raffi Torres – Patrick O’Sullivan – Andy Miele
Keith Yandle – Derek Morris
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Adrian Aucoin
David Schlemko – Rostislav Klesla
Mike Smith
Jason Labarbera
With O’Reilly still in unsure health he may not draw in to face his brother Ryan tonight, though this is being handled as a last minute decision so I will be watching for any changes in the line-up. I would love to see the two brothers face-off.
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