Any hockey fans out there?

[Wildabeest]

Didn’t have an Avs loss on my Bingo card last night. They really missed Makar. Do I need to start sucking up to the Vegas Hunttalkers for finals tix as well?

 

[seeth07]

Didn’t have an Avs loss on my Bingo card last night. They really missed Makar. Do I need to start sucking up to the Vegas Hunttalkers for finals tix as well?

The Av's looked the same as the rest of the playoffs. They struggled at times against LA and against the Wild too. The are consistent at getting pucks on net though taking a lot of shots even when a lot of them aren't "good" shots. On nights like last night where none of them go in, its tough but just by pure volume it will come and they will win a game here with 7 goals.

 

[Wildabeest]

The Av's looked the same as the rest of the playoffs. They struggled at times against LA and against the Wild too. The are consistent at getting pucks on net though taking a lot of shots even when a lot of them aren't "good" shots. On nights like last night where none of them go in, its tough but just by pure volume it will come and they will win a game here with 7 goals.

Brent Burns is a great fit for that system! Never turns down an opportunity to throw it on net - and gets a surprising number through. Necas and McKinnon are fun to watch when they really get flying up the ice.

 

[Bonasababy]

Getting a dose of what the Wild dealt with in their loss of Brodin and Ek.

 

[cedahm]

Brent Burns is a great fit for that system! Never turns down an opportunity to throw it on net - and gets a surprising number through. Necas and McKinnon are fun to watch when they really get flying up the ice.

It's shocking how consistently he gets pucks through to the net. He definitely shows his age late in games, but has been rock solid all year.

All in all - the Avs looked like a team that hadn't played a hockey game in a week, VGK played good defense and Hart was very good (minus a lot of rebounds allowed). Wedgewood certainly wants that Coghlan 5-hole goal back, that was ugly.

But, if LOC misses that post it was a tie game. PP was noticeably different without #8, Toews is a hell of a puck mover from the top, but the opposition doesnt need to worry about him walking the line and picking a corner so they can gap him pretty easily. NTM he's a left shot which changes the mechanics a little (although @ the NHL level that's not a huge deal).

Didnt think we were going to sweep this one, so a loss is a loss, just can't go back to Vegas down 2-0.

 

[Bonasababy]

It's shocking how consistently he gets pucks through to the net. He definitely shows his age late in games, but has been rock solid all year.

All in all - the Avs looked like a team that hadn't played a hockey game in a week, VGK played good defense and Hart was very good (minus a lot of rebounds allowed). Wedgewood certainly wants that Coghlan 5-hole goal back, that was ugly.

But, if LOC misses that post it was a tie game. PP was noticeably different without #8, Toews is a hell of a puck mover from the top, but the opposition doesnt need to worry about him walking the line and picking a corner so they can gap him pretty easily. NTM he's a left shot which changes the mechanics a little (although @ the NHL level that's not a huge deal).

Didnt think we were going to sweep this one, so a loss is a loss, just can't go back to Vegas down 2-0.

Not playing for awhile is more of a benefit in the playoffs. Heard Erik Johnson talk about this...said rust is not an issue at all. At this stage half the players are hurting and shooting cortisone/ relying on excitement and will to push through he said. He also said although he's still close to them he had no inside info, but was worried Makars injury might be more serious.

 

[cedahm]

Not playing for awhile is more of a benefit in the playoffs. Heard Erik Johnson talk about this...said rust is not an issue at all. At thus stage have the players are hurting and shooting cortisone/ relying on excitement and will to push through he said. He also said although he's still close to them he had no inside info, but was worried Makars injury might be more serious.

Maybe rust wasn't an issue for EJ, but the Avs certainly looked rusty after the first 10 minutes. Notably for our D - Burns, Manson and Malinski all struggled at times and had some lazy plays/missed touches (still not sure why Ahcan got the nod over Blankenburg, either)

Either way, not the worst game, I think the underlying analytics were generally favorable for the Avs despite not being at their best, VGK played well, and it's only game 1. Sky isn't falling. Hopefully #8 is back close to 100% for game 2.

 

[Wildabeest]

Maybe rust wasn't an issue for EJ, but the Avs certainly looked rusty after the first 10 minutes. Notably for our D - Burns, Manson and Malinski all struggled at times and had some lazy plays/missed touches (still not sure why Ahcan got the nod over Blankenburg, either)

Either way, not the worst game, I think the underlying analytics were generally favorable for the Avs despite not being at their best, VGK played well, and it's only game 1. Sky isn't falling. Hopefully #8 is back close to 100% for game 2.

We’ll see how the rusty Canes show up v Montreal tonight. We were actually pretty healthy after the first two series, so don’t need time off to heal.

 

[Wildabeest]

I guess we answered the rust question. First period was just plain awful. Second period I felt we got back to our game and won the period. Third period was too much desperation to really tell. I wish we would have pulled the goalie down 3 with 7 mins left and a power play. Not Brind’amour’s style though.

If we can play the rest of the series like we played in the second tonight, I think we’ll be ok.

 

[Rainer]

Carolina couldn't keep up with Montreals speed. I would've thought they would've played better after having like 10 days off.

 

[Sheltowee]

I guess we answered the rust question. First period was just plain awful. Second period I felt we got back to our game and won the period. Third period was too much desperation to really tell. I wish we would have pulled the goalie down 3 with 7 mins left and a power play. Not Brind’amour’s style though.

If we can play the rest of the series like we played in the second tonight, I think we’ll be ok.

I'm optimistic that Game 1 was a fluke in both conferences. Guess we'll see tonight.

 

[cedahm]

I'm optimistic that Game 1 was a fluke in both conferences. Guess we'll see tonight.

No #8 again tonight. If I was Coach, I'd have Blankenburg in there. Ahcan is a fine 6D replacement in the regular season, but Blankenburg at least has more speed and offensive chops @ the NHL level.

Alex Gagne is a unit and that alone is intriguing against a team like VGK, but that's a tough ask for a young guy in his first Pro season with 0 NHL time.

I'm hopeful my flight lands on time so I only miss a bit of the 1st...inflight wifi is dicey for streaming ESPN games.

 

[Rainer]

I think Vegas might actually take the series, the Avs seem tired. Montreal beating Carolina isn't a fluke, the Habs are now 4-0 againest them this year.

 

[Sheltowee]

I think Vegas might actually take the series, the Avs seem tired.