I seriously cannot recall the last time I truly loved the Avs' penalty kill. I've never understood why a team that emphasizes up-tempo play with excellent skaters up and down the lineup employs such a passive penalty kill. It's not just Bednar, his predecessors did it too. There's no reason IMO they can't do what the Rangers, Canes, and Stars do on a regular basis.
Also, I was reading a Jack Han breakdown of--I think--Toronto's penalty kill and why it had suddenly broken down, he blamed the fact that not having a RH RD really limits a team's ability to clear the puck. Thing is, the Avs' current system actually does this on purpose. I'm assuming they like having the LH/RH guys on their off-side so that there are sticks in the slot area. But then this makes it that much harder for them to dig out pucks and clear it. Just one aspect of many where I just don't like the choices the coaches make on the penalty kill. It is my one consistent criticism of Bednar's tenure.
Last critique--someone see if Mark Barberio is interested in coming back as a chip-the-puck coaching specialist, because I swear he is the only Avs player I've seen in the last 5-plus years or so who could do it consistently. Too often the guys are either rifling it all the way down the ice, and when they try to lift it they either don't get enough on it and it's intercepted, or they sent it sailing over the glass.
Anyway, not really mad or anything about the effort tonight. I think they're definitely in "start the playoffs already" mode (heavens knows I definitely am) so a somewhat uneven effort like this is to be expected. Glad they turned it on long enough to pull out a decisive win and Justus was more than good enough.