obe24

Minneapolis, MN • United States • 31 Years Old • Male

Punchless Avs Lose Again

There are few sins a team can commit that are more egregious than getting shutout at home. It envelopes the home crowd in apathy. In this game, they got to see one goal and the home team lose. Not something that will bring back the sellout streak anytime soon. And speaking of streaks, the Avs are now back on a losing one.

The Avs played better than they did in Calgary on Tuesday, I'll give them that, but that's a pretty low bar to clear. The offense is at such a nadir that Granato must be considering a huge shakeup. It's been 5 games now that the offense has looked progressively worse. Time to press the button on the lineup blender, especially if Sakic isn't back for Saturday's game.

Again, the goaltending and the penalty killing were stellar. Those were the only bright spots. The PP is getting embarrassing. There doesn't seem to be any urgency in the offensive zone whatsoever. The Avs finally started pushing the play halfway through the third period last night, and hey, it was actually tolerable to watch for awhile. And then they took another stupid penalty. The Avs should start rolling with a two man forecheck immediately. Don't wait to be down a goal halfway through the third period. Get two guys on the puck in the offensive zone and start working for chances instead of floating and hoping someone gets you the puck. At the very least, it will be more fun to watch. We'll find out if Granato can coach or not, because this team needs help.

Just for fun - here's how my lineup blender would look for Saturday's game:

Hejduk-Stastny-Jones
Smyth-Wolski-Svatos
Tucker-Hensick-Willsie
McCormick-Lappy-McLeod

Yes, I called up Willsie and scratched Arnason. Actually, if we're playing pretend, then I skated Arnason at practice until he puked and then scratched him. The point is that Granato might as well shake it up. How sad is it that the answer to the Avs' troubles is Brian Willsie? But that's what it has come to. I also am in favor of putting Wolski at center at this point. What the hell?

Sakic and Guite can't come back soon enough. This team is lost right now. I haven't been a part of the "Fire Granato" chorus in the past, and I still think it's too early to fire a new coach, but he is being severly tested - and it would be hard to give him a passing grade at this point.

Hopefully some goals will be scored by the Avs on Saturday.

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