Be thankful for Joe Sakic, who keeps the Avs two chess moves ahead. Be thankful for Tim Connelly, who makes sure, even if every punch doesn’t land, that the Nuggets keep swinging. Be thankful for John Elway, who wants to win as badly as you do, even if that same pride too often blinds the Broncos from reality. Be thankful that none of them are cowards. Be thankful that none of them are given the rope to run their front offices the way Jeff Bridich is allowed to run his. The Brain Surgeon came out from the bunker late Wednesday afternoon.