Congrats to Ryan and his Avs. 
It was a great series just like we were expecting to see. Minne had a great season and deserved their first division title. You guys have plenty of young talent and should be good for years to come, so I'd fully expect to see the Wild compete for another division title next year. Hopefully for your sake you guys can hang on to all of your good players over free agency this offseason.
I'm amazed the Wild only held the lead for about 4:30 in the entire
series and it went to six games. It really goes to show how well they managed to hang in there and how great Theodore played. We could have easily lost the lead/tie several times and would have had try to come from behind on Backstrom and Minne's (admitting injury depleted) D. I can't believe Schultz came back last night, that took some real heart.
The Avs have had me so excited lately. They look like a completely different team since the deadline. As great of an addition as Forsberg has been, I think it is the additions of Foote and Salei as well as the play of Theodore that have completely turned this team around. Holding a player like Gaborik to 1 point in a six game series is incredible. Theodore has been on his game since January and now with some added toughness on the blue line he has the support in front he needed. Sauer has really picked up his play as well and has done a fabulous job shutting down the opposing team's top line when he is paired with Foote. Our powerplay which was completely dismal throughout most the entire year has been looking a whole lot better, especially against a good penalty killing team like the Wild. If they can stay hot I think we have a chance of going really deep in the playoffs this year.
Unless Calgary came find a way to come back in their series it looks like the Avs will be headed to Detroit. We got swept by the old rivals in the season series this year, but all of those games were before the deadline. I really think we can give them a run for their money in the playoffs. Plus with Foote and Forsberg back in town and Parker about ready to come off his injury we may see the fire re-lit in that rivalry.
Plus, the team that knocked the Wild out last year (Ducks) went on to win the whole thing, so maybe the Avs can do the same and send Forsberg/Sakic/Foote all into permanent retirement with a win (and then we never have to see them again 
).
If all three of them retired in the same year I think I would lock myself away in my room and cry for weeks.
Foote really looks like he has a few years left in him. Gaborik is young and faster than Foote, and Foote was able to completely shut his down. Sakic never seems to age and I hope he is here for a few more years. If Forsberg can stay healthy ( big if there... ) he seems like he might have another year in him still. This may be the best shot we'll have at the Cup in the next few years though, so I really want to see it back in Denver this year.
