Even if the Avalanche loses again tonight in regulation, it still would hold the edge for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings.
The Avs would be ahead of the Calgary Flames because they would have more victories, and they’d still have a game in hand entering the final week of the regular season.
So why does everybody believe tonight’s 7:30 game with the Flames at the Pepsi Center is a referendum on the Avs’ season? Because, in all likelihood, that’s what it will be.
A loss in regulation and the Avs would have blown a nine- point lead over the Flames in two weeks. And Calgary would leave town with all the momentum in the hunt for postseason play. A Colorado victory, especially in regulation, would make it tough for the Flames to get past the Avs with just more than a week left in the regular season.
In other words, it’s a “four-point” game, but it feels even bigger, more like a Game 7 playoff matchup.
Though his team is reeling in the midst of its worst stretch all season, Avs coach Joe Sacco chooses to look on the sunny side.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position, and it’s going to be an exciting game,” Sacco said. “Before the year, if you’d said we’d be part of a game like this, I think we’d look forward to it.”
Before practice Thursday, the Avs held their second team meeting in 12 hours, a sign of the urgency that has enveloped the franchise this week. The team that had overachieved all season with a youthful, happy-go-lucky feel has looked tense and apprehensive of late.
Whatever happens, Avs rookie TJ Galiardi said, the players won’t quit on the things that got them this far.
“The whole message is to play within ourselves, play our game and be patient on the ice,” Galiardi said. “When we change our game is when we get in trouble. But we believe in here that we’re going to make it. It all starts (tonight).
“I think words like ‘desperation’ are going to be kicked around now. If we’re not desperate, we’re not going to get in, so that’s been our big message too.”
Sacco bemoaned his team’s lack of energy in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to Anaheim. A postgame, players-only meeting initiated by captain Adam Foote led to a discussion of the need to get back to fundamentals.
“Keep it simple” is Foote’s mantra. That, and “No short cuts.”
“The last few games, we’ve been forcing plays too early and getting off our game,” Foote said. “It seems like the plays we’ve forced, it’s been going back in our net pretty quick. That’s not the way we’ve done it all year.”
Sacco will use a different lineup tonight, with the return of forwards Brandon Yip and Stephane Yelle, both cleared after injuries. Yip likely will play on the third line, Sacco said, and Yelle will center the fourth line. Sacco hopes he strengthens a penalty-killing unit that has been woeful.
Sacco also said he will insert defenseman Kyle Quin- cey into the rotation and decide this morning who will sit out. John-Michael Liles might be a healthy scratch on defense. He was on the ice well after practice ended Thursday.
After the two team meetings, Sacco believes the Avs are mentally focused for their biggest game in nearly two years.
“I think we’re on the same page,” Sacco said. “I think everybody understands their role and what they need to do to help the team win. I think the main thing is, we believe in each other and the players believe in each other. That’s the most important thing.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com and
West race
The Avalanche and Calgary Flames continue their battle for the eighth and final playoff spot at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Pepsi Center with the following at stake (Story, 4C):
Colorado regulation win: The Avs would hold a four-point lead, have three more victories than Calgary and have five games to play to Calgary’s four. OT or shootout win would put Colorado up three points.
Calgary regulation win: Teams would be tied with 89 points, and Calgary would have gained nine points on Colorado since March 17. Colorado still would have one more win than Calgary and one more game than the Flames. OT or shootout win would pull Calgary within a point.
TV/radio: ALT, KCKK 1510 AM
NOTEBOOK
Avalanche: Despite some rough outings of late, Craig Anderson will start in goal for the Avs. “Craig’s been solid for us all season long. As a group, we have to do a better job in front of him. We have all the faith in the world in him,” coach Joe Sacco said. . . . Injured right wing David Jones (torn anterior cruciate ligament) skated with the team Thursday but did not take contact. If things progress well over the weekend, Jones will practice normally early next week. . . . Forward Matt Hendricks remains out with a head injury.
Flames: After losing 5-0 at Boston last Saturday, Calgary has won its past two games, at Washington on Sunday and over Phoenix at home Wednesday. “We’ve got to approach (tonight) no different than how we have approached our last few games here,” coach Brent Sutter told . “They are desperate times. We have to play well. Every game to us has been like a Game 7, and that’s the way it has to be approached. Yes, the opponent is the opponent that is two points up on us, and we have that opportunity to close that gap, but our approach needs to be no different.” . . . Miikka Kiprusoff will start in goal.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
Spotlight on Brandon Yip: The Avs will welcome back Yip’s youthful vigor tonight. The former Boston University standout will play his first game in more than a month after a shoulder injury. Yip last played on March 1.
Race to the playoffs
Playoff intensity arrives a little early when the Avalanche meets the Flames tonight. Colorado holds a two-point lead in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Avs’ remaining games:
March 31
vs. Anaheim
L, 5-2
Today
vs. Calgary
7:30 p.m., ALT
Sunday
vs. San Jose
6 p.m., ALT
Tuesday
At Vancouver
8 p.m., ALT, VS
Wednesday
At Edmonton
7:30 p.m., ALT
April 9
vs. Chicago
7 p.m., ALT
April 11
vs. Los Angeles
1 p.m., ALT
