AVALANCHE ALERT!!

     With Patrick Roy's impact, the Avs have stormed out of the gate reaching 6-0, and gaining 12 points in the process.  The Avs look way more disciplined, and Varlamov looks to have taken an icredible step forward under Roy.  With the youth, you do have to hope that they can maintain this type of momentum, and not burn out after the All-Star break, heading into the playoffs.  Yes, the Avs will make the playoffs, and I guarantee it.  Roy expects no less, and the players are delivering.
     Perhaps the most important part of the Avalanche's success, has to be Varlamov's confidence, and that should be sky high right now.  In 5 starts he's had over 30 saves in each game, and has been in the 3 stars 4 times, posting a 1.20 GAA(Goals Against Average), and a .965% saving percentage.  At only age 25, these are dangerous numbers, and will probably only get better in time.
     Duchene looks to be in great shape, and he showed that on Monday night, scoring 2 goals against the Stars.  One of those was a breakaway goal, and that should have made top plays on Sportscenter.  Welcome home Alex Tanguay, and he's playing probably the smartest hockey of his career with his veteran presence on the team. 
     As long as the Avs can control their overwhelming speed, they will tire down there opponents, the way they did in Boston against the Eastern Conference Champions.  Now looking ahead to Thursday's game against the Red Wings, in what will now be a once, maybe twice a year meeting since Detroit moved to the Eastern Conference, it's going to be quite a show to see, Roy going against his nemesis team.  He has to bring back that rivalry with these players, especially since the Red Wings have walked all over the Avs for the better part of the last decade.  As long as the Avs can continue to get points, and stay in first place, Denver will regain its reputation as a great sports city.  So thanks to Patrick Roy, and Joe Sakic for returning some excitement to the fans, its been to long for such loyal fans to be proud of their team.