Pre-Game Talk: Week in the Wild West (@SJ, @LA)

[tigervixxxen]

One more back to back (why not?) in California before the All-Star break and some much needed rest for the boys in burgundy.

Should be a low news week with only two games an no pressing decisions. Maybe we'll hear of how Skille survived his own lawn chair moment or any other lineup shuffling.

Also taking part at the end of the week are the All-Star festivities for Matt Duchene and Mikko Rantanen. NHL skills competition on Saturday at 5pm MT and the ASG on Sunday at 3pm MT. The AHL All-Star game is also this weekend with the AHL skills competition on Sunday at 6pm MT and the ASG on Monday at 5pm MT.

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[the_fan]

If they win one of the two I'll be happy

 

[dahrougem2]

Bigras will be sent down after this week I'm sure of it

 

[Balthazar]

If they win one of the two I'll be happy

3 pts and I'm happy.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

If they win one of the two I'll be happy

I agree. Extremely tough games and away as well. I'll take two points.

 

[Over the Pants Landy]

If we can run these 2 and keep the streak going before the break that would be amazing. However, I feel like every year we go into the all star break on a high then come out flat for the first few games afterwards.

 

[Realize]

Extremly funny right now watching the AVs playing, hopefully 2-3 pts for those guys.

Btw: the TV moderator on altitude absolutely loves saying Varlamovs name, doesn't he?
That scares me

 

[Iceberg]

I HATE the All-Star break!!!

 

[NothingLikeAnEJ]

Bigras will be sent down after this week I'm sure of it

When do the AHL games end before the break? Might be good for him to go down and play a game or two if he can.

 

[Foppa Frossa]

Bigras will be sent down after this week I'm sure of it

Hopefully Bigs plays great and they send down Guenin.

 

[Freudian]

 

[Jarey Curry]

Btw: the TV moderator on altitude absolutely loves saying Varlamovs name, doesn't he?
That scares me

"Another save by Varlamov!"

 

[landy92mack29]

If they win one of the two I'll be happy

If the offence wakes up I'll be happy

 

[UncleRisto]

Extremly funny right now watching the AVs playing, hopefully 2-3 pts for those guys.

Btw: the TV moderator on altitude absolutely loves saying Varlamovs name, doesn't he?
That scares me

Usually he has a lot of chances to do so too.

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

"Another save by Varlamov!"

You forgot "brilliant".

 

[UncleRisto]

You forgot "brilliant".

And just straight up shouting far too loudly.

 

[tigervixxxen]

I thought there was some rule if you were on the NHL roster on X date then you were entitled to the NHL all star break.

I think Bigras is safe for a bit, as long as he keeps playing with one of the bums I don't see why they would change. They kept him to be on the third pair, they knew this going in to it.

 

[Foppa Frossa]

Previously they had said that Pickard would get both of these starts. Anyone know if this is still the case? I wouldn't mind Picks against SJS and then Varly the next night against LAK. Pavelski is going to light us up no matter what

 

[tigervixxxen]

Oh no, Picks isn't getting both. I think Varly has told Roy he likes playing in LA, he will get the start there.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I'm thinking we beat the Sharks and then get steamrolled by the Kings as we limp into the All-Star break. Would love 4 points, just don't see it, but who knows with this team.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Also, how solid do people think our top 4 is?

Beauchemin - Johnson
Holden - Barrie

EJ - good #1
Barrie - elite #2
Beauch - very good #3
Holden - passable #4

Yes, Bigras will jump past Holden in a year or even less, but I'm talking right now. How good is this top 4 in comparison to our rivals? How comfortable are we, as fans, in this top 4? Patrick seems very happy with it.

 

[cgf]

I'm thrilled to have a legit top 4 for once.

 

[Avs71]

Also, how solid do people think our top 4 is?

Beauchemin - Johnson
Holden - Barrie

EJ - good #1
Barrie - elite #2
Beauch - very good #3
Holden - passable #4

Yes, Bigras will jump past Holden in a year or even less, but I'm talking right now. How good is this top 4 in comparison to our rivals? How comfortable are we, as fans, in this top 4? Patrick seems very happy with it.

The way Beauchemin has played this season, I think you'd have to considered him a good #2. He has basically been the Avs #1 defenceman all season.

I wouldn't trade the Avs defence core for Minnesota's, Jets', or Stars'. I like the mix on the Avs better than the Blues, even though their core is more talented. Nashville's top pairing is probably the best in the league, so I'd take them over the Avs, and of course would take Chicago's defence.

 

[freeboy]

If the offence wakes up I'll be happy

this.. but I honestly would rather win than see us playing great goals on fire..

Our needs also included cutting down on the stupid mental errors in turnovers in our end..
cafe city

 

[dahrougem2]

I thought there was some rule if you were on the NHL roster on X date then you were entitled to the NHL all star break.

I think Bigras is safe for a bit, as long as he keeps playing with one of the bums I don't see why they would change. They kept him to be on the third pair, they knew this going in to it.

I can't see Roy changing his top-4 (nor should he) and he plays them an insane amount of minutes. Bigras playing 8-10 minutes isn't doing him any good. Yes it's better than the tire-fire's we'd typically ice but Roy has repeatedly mentioned long-term development. If Bigras continues to see 8-10 minutes I think we'll see him sent down very soon.

Also, how solid do people think our top 4 is?

Beauchemin - Johnson
Holden - Barrie

EJ - good #1
Barrie - elite #2
Beauch - very good #3
Holden - passable #4

Yes, Bigras will jump past Holden in a year or even less, but I'm talking right now. How good is this top 4 in comparison to our rivals? How comfortable are we, as fans, in this top 4? Patrick seems very happy with it.

I'm very comfortable with it, but that is always going to depend on how Holden plays. This season, he's exceeded expectations beyond belief. So we'll see how he continues to play after the all-star break.

Also, I'd call Beauchemin a very good #2 given how he's played this season. That isn't what I want him to be long-term (though I wouldn't mind if his play never drops off), but he's been a legitimate top-pairing defensemen this season.

When is the last time we as fans could say we have arguably 3 top-pairing defensemen on this team? 2001? Even if they aren't top-pairing players in terms of their abilities, they all have shown to have the capability to play top-pairing minutes this season and thrive. I love it. I'm very confident in the top-4.

The 3rd pairing on the other hand...