Rick Sadowski: Giguere blanks Penguins; Avs now 8-1

This start is entering the twilight zone. Crosby was so dangerous every time he stepped on the ice tonight, which seemed like half the damn game too. Even better than Datsyuk thursday night, Sidney Crosby is on another level. Scary game seemed like we'd concede at any moment but Jiggy is a legend. I've got a ticket to the Carolina game can't wait to see the Avs skate in person.

I was at this game. After being there in Washington, I'm 2/2 in Avs away games. Holy poop this is fantastic. Pens fans were livid there lol. They'd rather lose to the Avs than to the Flyers or other division rivals still. In that last minute my lungs almost gave up and my heart almost stopped. It was just great.

Avs keep tearing it up!

It wasn't pretty but man Giguere was solid. 8-1 Baby

Very surprised at the Avs start. I had them penciled down for missing the playoffs. Getting insane goaltending from both goalies

Great game by Giguere. Avs were outplayed in virtually every facet of the game except for in net. And even then, only by the slightest of margins. Pens couldn't/didn't get traffic for the rebounds or tips. Great shot blocking by the Avs. But when you get more than a shot per minute thrown in the direction of your net, you're going to need it.

I clearly have been paying way more attention to the western race and every Avs game. Watching Crosby is a treat, that guy is just playing so far above everyone else.

I thought Duchene would have a bigger impact with the puck but everytime they got it low, they were in dying need of a line-change so he was all by himself. Tough to generate much offense when you are running around your own zone so much.

Either way, these 1-0 and 2-0 road wins are impressive only because there is no way the Avs could have pulled those off last year.

This is now a team, playing for one another and for their coach. Last year it was individuals trying to win a game. Sure we let up a lot of shots, but its not like it was a non stop parade of highlight reel saves for Giggy, he had to be good when he had to be and they kept the lanes clear for him, blocking shots, and cleaning out rebounds for him.

In my opnion that was a solid team shut up, Giggy held up his end of the bargain and so did the D and Forwards coming back to help him out.

Most interesting fact is that with a start like this, is if we go .500 for the rest of the season, that will give us around 90pts, and thats a pretty promising total for a team wanting to make the playoffs.

Nice to see Giguere rejuvenate his career.

Nice to see Giguere rejuvenate his career.
- habfanforever

I thought he was toast after hes was a Leaf, everyone was worried about the AVS D not being up to the task, so far so good

Nice to see Giguere rejuvenate his career.
- habfanforever

EDIT: Agreeing with a Habs fan

I thought he was toast after hes was a Leaf, everyone was worried about the AVS D not being up to the task, so far so good
- poohcrumbs

D got instantly better by purging O'Bryne, O'Brien, Zanon, and Hunwick out of it.
Big surprises at how well guys like Sarich, Guenin, and Benoit are playing, just really simple and sound games keepign to their assignments.

Johnson is having a way better start to th eyear compared to last season and Wilson had his best game of the season since returning from injury. Hejda has been solid logging big minutes.

They arent the prettiest and intimidating pairings but they are workign together as a unit under a great system, cant complain.

EDIT: Agreeing with a Habs fan
- glove_was_stuck

A Boston fan agreeing with me? I feel all slimy.

JS was the best player othe ice all night. he was so impressive. good for him. he deserved the win.

amazing start from you guys.

when I first hear, I thought you guys hired Roy as nothing more than a marketing move.

amazed at the type of job that he's done. good for you guys and your team.

this is a prime example of a team that uses early draft picks right (for an example of teams that don't, see Edmonton Oilers)

your team reminds me of the 2007 penguins. 46 point turnaround from the previous lottery pick year, young team, new coach. goes to playoffs, gets beat by a good team but the experience they learned was nothing short of vital for their growth.

best of luck the rest of the way.

amazing start from you guys.

when I first hear, I thought you guys hired Roy as nothing more than a marketing move.

amazed at the type of job that he's done. good for you guys and your team.

this is a prime example of a team that uses early draft picks right (for an example of teams that don't, see Edmonton Oilers)

your team reminds me of the 2007 penguins. 46 point turnaround from the previous lottery pick year, young team, new coach. goes to playoffs, gets beat by a good team but the experience they learned was nothing short of vital for their growth.

best of luck the rest of the way.
- SuperHenderson13

I would love to be in the position by the trade deadline that we have want to add pieces for a playoff run instead of selling off. I think if we are in or close to being in and have the ability to add a guy like Dan Girardi (if Rangers are still in trouble) it would be an incredible change of expereince for us Avalanche Fans.

In the mean time the Pens are still the team to beat, my choice for the cup this year. Crosby is just too good, he looks like he can single handily win the cup

I would love to be in the position by the trade deadline that we have want to add pieces for a playoff run instead of selling off. I think if we are in or close to being in and have the ability to add a guy like Dan Girardi (if Rangers are still in trouble) it would be an incredible change of expereince for us Avalanche Fans.

In the mean time the Pens are still the team to beat, my choice for the cup this year. Crosby is just too good, he looks like he can single handily win the cup
- DDM-Coga

Girardi would be a good pick up I agree.

The aves looked good, but Jiggy looked even better. I'm sorry but they can't keep relying on him like that and expect to go far. I love the aves their my second favorite team (was at the game last night). Hopefully their D steps up a bit more. The Penguins looked good but they need Tanger and Neal back soon. It is apparent that our Offense is Sid and no one else cause if he doesn't score no one else is either it seems.

Girardi would be a good pick up I agree.
- Scabeh

Emelin would be better ha but you guys will are probably going to resign him after he gets back from his injury

The aves looked good, but Jiggy looked even better. I'm sorry but they can't keep relying on him like that and expect to go far. I love the aves their my second favorite team (was at the game last night). Hopefully their D steps up a bit more. The Penguins looked good but they need Tanger and Neal back soon. It is apparent that our Offense is Sid and no one else cause if he doesn't score no one else is either it seems.
- penburgh87

I agree we can't rely on goalies like that but its not like it hasn't been consistent throughout the year. The Avs offense is also top 10 in the league, went from 5th to 9th after the 1-0 win.

I think the avs have to do better on faceoffs and not give up so many penalties first and then go from there.

Ok, I'll be negative Nelly here...

It has been killing to admit this but Wilson is just flat out bad at defense since he returned. I hope he gets back to better form soon because he keeps getting burned. He can still give a good hit and hip check but he's pretty worthless with his actual defensive play...

Ok, I'll be negative Nelly here...

It has been killing to admit this but Wilson is just flat out bad at defense since he returned. I hope he gets back to better form soon because he keeps getting burned. He can still give a good hit and hip check but he's pretty worthless with his actual defensive play...
- Lawdaddy

I thought he had one of his best games in a long time last night with how he actually wheeled with the puck a bit, but yes I do agree, he isnt a long term solution for the blue line, I can see him easily being flipped at the deadline

Avs will have a lot of contracts coming off of the books at the end of this season and this trade deadline (as well as UFA day) will give Sakic and Roy a lot of time time to set this roster and the defense the way they want it to be. Especially now that each team has a week to wine and dine potential UFA's it could really help Sakic and Roy