GDT: Avalanche at Stars (Game 5): Do We Really Have To?

[missionAvs]

I think 29 and 8 have too much pride to lose every home game in a series.

I really don't see us getting blasted at home.

Chet you're usually very level headed with your takes/predictions. Why are you reaching into your bag of blind homerism with this take? You know we're getting smoked next game. I know you know.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

We did have a week off before this series started. MacK being that tired has me a bit worried. If Toews was sick, and it wasn't concussion related, I hope MacK didn't catch his bug.

MacK has looked that tired for some time now. Not a new thing.

 

[CharlesPuck]

8:20 puck drop for Friday

Gabe hits the ice at 8:22 and rips home a wrister and we never look back.

 

[the_fan]

Bednar said Mikko was good, so it doesn’t matter what you guys say

 

[sethro109]

MacK has looked that tired for some time now. Not a new thing.

I hope it's not cocaine withdrawal.

On a more serious note. He did get way too much time in the regular season. Bednar needs to cool it next year.

 

[Eltuna]

Game was similar to games 1-3, biggest difference was Oettinger played poorly and Georgiev didn’t let in any soft goals. I actually liked games 1 & 3 Avs more but Colorado seemed to get the bounces tonight which they really haven’t been thus far into the series (not counting game 4 which was a mess).

I still think special teams are a problem, Stars look they are going to score on almost every power play they get, Avs penalty kill has no confidence right now

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Bednar said Mikko was good, so it doesn’t matter what you guys say

He looked like he cared today and he was playing the body. Definitely better than usual.

 

[sethro109]

Bednar said Mikko was good, so it doesn’t matter what you guys say

His effort in the 3rd was the best he's looked this year. That trip was horrible though. Even if it was a dive, you know they're looking for it, play smarter.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Bednar lies. Alot. Mikko did everything in his power to end the series tonight. Ditto Devon Toews.

 

[the_fan]

He looked like he cared today and he was playing the body. Definitely better than usual.

I honestly don’t like to comment on Mikko. On one hand I understand the criticism because he can look lackluster, but on the other hand he still puts up points so whatever

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

Bednar lies. Alot. Mikko did everything in his power to end the series tonight. Ditto Devon Toews.

Toews...........geez..... delay of game, outlet passes directly on the stick of Star players....... don't get me started......

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[The Shermanator]

Mack hardly got through his interview there. Hopefully he sleeps 12 hours tonight. Another day of rest for Toews will go a long way too.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Toews...........geez..... delay of game, outlet passes directly on the stick of Star players....... don't get me started......

Hard to play well when your brain is bruised.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

Hard to play well when your brain is bruised.

So he's found way to skirt the concussion protocol?

Or is he a bear of little brain to start with? LOL

 

[sethro109]

Ugh. I hate the NHL. Dallas fans must double hate the NHL.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

One of the all-time greats in team history, but he's been brutal for 90% of this postseason

 

[chet1926]

Bednar lies. Alot. Mikko did everything in his power to end the series tonight. Ditto Devon Toews.

Yep these guys were ass tonight. The only note worthy play between the 2 was 96 getting cross checked in the face to allow us to get tied.

Other than that it's was tough to watch between those 2.

 

[wayninja]

Dallas isn't really huge, though. They just play INSANELY defensive then turn on the counter attack. They hardly throw hits anymore. If not for Benn they'd have less than 10 hits a night in all likelihood.

It's the Avs who have to continue playing big, physical hockey. Chances were created tonight because Stars defensemen felt the pressure and wanted nothing to do with it - Tanev especially. Even Heiskanen when he goes back is looking over his shoulder constantly and if there's anyone, he's rimming the puck. More often than not the Avs are stealing it or stopping Dallas wingers on the boards.

It has to continue. The Avs have to forecheck like hounds and punish, punish, punish.

Yeah, I don't mean like they are playing a hard hitting game, but they are definitely overall bigger than the avs, and the play a stronger puck possession style. They are great at winning physical battles that require out muscling opponents. They keep guys glued on every free avs so as soon as the avs have the puck, there is no space, and simply a muscle battle for possession.

So, you are definitely right, the avs HAVE To play a harder hitting game to create that space get the Stars peeking from the puck to avoid hits. They stopped doing that after game 1 and tried more cute breakout shit that just got smothered.

I think we agree, the avs have to go super intense hitting and battling hard for every stalled puck, punishing the stars for trying to slog things up. That seems to be the thing that gives them chances.

 

[forsbergavs32]

Hopefully this game gave the boys some confidence, they finally broke through on Oettinger and were able to generate some chances. The big boys getting on the board was huge and Mitts looked much better.

Keep the fire in game 6 and likes tie this series up Friday.

 

[GeoRox89]

So he's found way to skirt the concussion protocol?

Or is he a bear of little brain to start with? LOL

Concussion symptoms peaking a couple days later isn’t that unusual.

Had a very bad one in an accident where I still have cognitive problems, noise sensitivity and struggle with bright lights 8 years later that the symptoms gradually got worse and peaked around 48 hours. They missed it at the hospital that night because I had so much adrenaline I seemed fine enough to not set off alarm bells (though that I was missing 30 seconds of time and probably knocked out during it should’ve been a clue)

Had a second one a couple year ago when a car door slammed into my head. Was pretty much fine that night. Was a little off the next day. By day 3 I was so dizzy for another week that I couldn’t walk to the bathroom from the kitchen without almost falling.

Avs doctors being clowns would not at all surprise me but symptoms becoming a problem a couple days later wouldn’t either

 

[The Shermanator]

I don't know if us playing so bad gives me confidence for the rest of the series or makes me feel bad about it. We have to get out of the funk eventually right? What if our big boys come alive and we just cruise through the next two games? Could happen right?

lol jk

 

[wayninja]

Yeah, I'm not holding my breath for a miracle 3 game run, just will be nice enough to make a legit series.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

So he's found way to skirt the concussion protocol?

Or is he a bear of little brain to start with? LOL

I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to deduce he's concussed. Huge hit to the head, and then a mystery "illness" two days later?

 

[avsfan09]

Having Drouin back has been important. Guy has poise and hands that we were missing. Also impressed with his compete.