It’s exactly what Avalanche fans want and need: a second round match-up with rival Detroit. These two teams clash in the playoffs for the first time since 2002 (and the sixth time since the Avalanche arrived in Denver) and the thought on everyone’s mind is whether this will help restore the rivalry that was once considered at the top in the NHL.
And there’s even an old school feel to the match-up considering Sakic, Foote, Forsberg, Kris Draper, Darren McCarty and Kirk Maltby are all still around from the battles that ensued in the late 1990s.

In their last playoff meeting the Wings were able to sneak by with a game seven victory after the Avalanche lead the series 3-2. There may be somewhat of a payback element here but more likely it’s a matter of do-or-die for the Avalanche. It’s no secret that their roster is aging and the strong push at the end of the season was a way of saying, “We want to win and we want to do it now.”

Just take a look at a few of their stars. Sakic will turn 39 in the offseason, Forsberg is 34 and battling injuries, and defensive enforcer Foote is 36. 

The good news is that all of them are playing with an extra hop in their stride and their may not be a scarier team in the playoffs. With their firepower, experience and how the team is finally able to have consistent units on the ice, it’s no wonder.

Detroit dominated the season series this year, winning all four games (three by shutout) but the Avalanche clearly aren’t the same team that played in those match-ups. The last meeting came Feb. 18, a week before Foote and Forberg returned and Ruslan Salei entered the mix. All have been heavy contributors since arriving, especially in the playoffs.  

“No doubt about it. More experienced, obviously, a lot more experienced. It’s so much different, the hockey in the regular season than the playoffs,” Jose Theodore said according to the Avs Web site before heading to Detroit for game one. “You can’t really compare; the intensity and emotions aren’t the same. We have a lot of guys that played against these guys before, which is good. I’m sure it’s going to be a really fast-paced and exciting series.”

The Avalanche hasn’t really had a chance to play as a well-oiled machine this year considering the injuries and late-season acquisitions. Finally in the Avalanche-Wild series, things looked to come together. When given the opportunity to play the same team in a series, the Avs appeared to have found a way to prepare and produce.

It’s not to say that the series was much of a cakewalk but the only two games that Colorado lost happened to be in overtime. They closed the series very strong, winning the final three games behind the impressive net play of Theodore. The former Hart and Vezina winner has shown he still has it in him to carry a team, the reason the Avs pursued him in the first place. Theodore has reassured the Avalanche that keeping him around this season was a good idea after losing the starting job last season and splitting time with Budaj early this season. If he keeps up his dominant play, the Avs should ride him deeper into the playoffs.

And as for the rivalry…Sakic can speak to it just as well as anyone.

  “I know the guys who were around for that time, we’re definitely excited,’ he told the Avalanche. “We can feel it. You know the buzz around the whole city is there.”

There’s no doubt about it.