Blues/Avalanche playoff series discussion

[Reality Czech]

Yes...and no accident by Kadri....he knows what he's doing.

Shame on the Blues for not regrouping and taking it to the Avs in terms of goals. Most frustrating are 18, 89, and 91. Zip. Nada. Nyet.

The only way we advance is if these guys get going. If they don't, we are done in 5 or 6.

Absolutely. As devastating as the innjury to Binner was, we didn't deserve to win last night's game. You can't expect to beat the #1 seed when half of your top 9 don't show up. Tarasenko and Thomas had several great scoring chances and couldn't bury it, and unfortunately that's not good enough. We did a great job limiting their top line, but the Avs 2nd-4th lines outplayed ours and that was the difference.

We have played well with our backs against the wall before, so I expect a big response but this is a tough loss to swallow.

 

[Celtic Note]

Ok? Doesn't mean he can't right the ship. Dude had a freaking shutout 4 games ago and I'm willing to bet he wasn't mentally ready to jump into this game less than 10 minutes into the game either.

Dude literally carried us the entire season to a playoff berth while Binner was in a covid rut. And 99% of the board wanted Husso in the starters net went the playoffs started as well.

We turn on our goalies way to quick if they even show a shred of a crack in their armor.

Husso wasn’t good last night and had some not so great games against Minny (after the first one). Binnington has been playing at an elite level since he took over the net. So, I understand the inclination to see the disparity in current play and how that would make some people nervous.

Husso has shown he can be stellar in spurts. If he can find that game again, the we should be good to go. There is one problem though, he needs to to do that by next game, as we cannot afford to lose the next game. This Aves team is too good and we are already down a game.

So, does it look promising at the moment? I don’t think so. Is there hope and evidence that could change? Absolutely.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Husso wasn’t good last night and had some not so great games against Minny (after the first one). Binnington has been playing at an elite level since he took over the net. So, I understand the inclination to see the disparity in current play and how that would make some people nervous.

Husso has shown he can be stellar in spurts. If he can find that game again, the we should be good to go. There is one problem though, he needs to to do that by next game, as we cannot afford to lose the next game. This Aves team is too good and we are already down a game.

So, does it look promising at the moment? I don’t think so. Is there hope and evidence that could change? Absolutely.

Yes, Binner has been amazing. But Husso has done amazing this year as well. Husso had a bad 1 amazing game, 2 bad starts, and let in one softy after being put in less than 10 minutes into the game he probably didn't expect to be playing it. Husso has shown he has another gear
He just needs to shift into it. I will never understand how we just throw in the white flag after any form of injury or we lose a game. Maybe in years before the cup win in 2019, but this is a different team from before then.

 

[Celtic Note]

Yes, Binner has been amazing. But Husso has done amazing this year as well. Husso had a bad 1 amazing game, 2 bad starts, and let in one softy after being put in less than 10 minutes into the game he probably didn't expect to be playing it. Husso has shown he has another gear
He just needs to shift into it. I will never understand how we just throw in the white flag after any form of injury or we lose a game. Maybe in years before the cup win in 2019, but this is a different team from before then.

You can be concerned about Husso’s recent play and not be waiving the white flag at the same time.

Husso has had three straight game that have been poor. I agree that being thrown in last night is a hard thing to do.

If this were the regular season three bad starts wouldn’t be a big deal. There is time for goalies to come out of funks. In the playoffs, you don’t have that convenience. Your funks can only be a game or less usually if you want to win a series.

Again, Husso is capable of taking over games and getting hot. If he goes on a tear like the middle of this season, we are golden (Binnington just did what I am suggesting…it happens). But, who knows if that will happen. Recent history shows he isn’t there, but that can all change over the course of one day off. A hot streak can happen at any time.

Expect the worst and hope for the best. That’s where I am at.

Husso absolutely can overcome this. The question is will he? I certainly hope so.

 

[Ridge1982]

Yes, Binner has been amazing. But Husso has done amazing this year as well. Husso had a bad 1 amazing game, 2 bad starts, and let in one softy after being put in less than 10 minutes into the game he probably didn't expect to be playing it. Husso has shown he has another gear
He just needs to shift into it. I will never understand how we just throw in the white flag after any form of injury or we lose a game. Maybe in years before the cup win in 2019, but this is a different team from before then.

Were they different last year when Faulk was taken out ?

 

[Ridge1982]

When it got to 4-2 the Blues should of had some fights and retribution.
Instead SOFT.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I don't agree. Kadri targets our best player so going after him is a good trade to him. Going after Makar or Mckinnon however might actually get the point across.

Kadri is one of their best players.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Were they different last year when Faulk was taken out ?

The Blues had a ton more issues last year than this year.

Last year
Broken Parayko
Broken Tarasenko
Broken Faulk
Broken Sunny
Broken Thomas
Disinterested Schwartz
Covid Perron
Poor depth

 

[Louie the Blue]

Husso wasn’t good last night and had some not so great games against Minny (after the first one). Binnington has been playing at an elite level since he took over the net. So, I understand the inclination to see the disparity in current play and how that would make some people nervous.

Husso has shown he can be stellar in spurts. If he can find that game again, the we should be good to go. There is one problem though, he needs to to do that by next game, as we cannot afford to lose the next game. This Aves team is too good and we are already down a game.

So, does it look promising at the moment? I don’t think so. Is there hope and evidence that could change? Absolutely.

I think Husso's been fine, for the most part, after the first Wild game.

Last night the third goal is one he'd probably want back and I'm not sure if the 4th goal is on him, Perunovich, or the staff. That shouldn't have happened and something was miscommunicated.

The issue is Husso playing as he is now won't be able to cover up half of the top 9 doing nothing offensively while Binnington's play has been able to do that.

 

[PocketNines]

I'm putting a curse on that franchise to never win the Cup and each year get bounced due to not puck luck nor being outplayed, but due to another team year after year after year after year running their best players out of the series. Corner-cutting bunch of f***ing losers. Nathan MacKinnon and that team have no idea what it takes to win.

 

[TheDizee]

series feels like 2019 west conf finals, even down to the game 3 shenanigans.

need a big game from the entire roster in G4!

 

[Ridge1982]

I'm putting a curse on that franchise to never win the Cup and each year get bounced due to not puck luck nor being outplayed, but due to another team year after year after year after year running their best players out of the series. Corner-cutting bunch of f***ing losers. Nathan MacKinnon and that team have no idea what it takes to win.

Their first Cup belongs to Quebec City anyway. Thieving shits.

 

[Louie the Blue]

Losing Binnington stinks, but that doesn't give the team an excuse to lose this series.

Husso's more than capable of playing well and, unlike last season, the defense is healthy (enough) and the forwards are healthy. Half of the top 9 need to wake up and start playing a lot better. Being out manned or out classed by Colorado isn't an excuse either. Their best players haven't been playing great either.

 

[TheOrganist]

series feels like 2019 west conf finals, even down to the game 3 shenanigans.

need a big game from the entire roster in G4!

It's easier to turn the page on a controversial, missed call than it is to recover from losing your backbone, Cup winning goaltender who was leading the playoffs in SV% and playing brilliantly.

 

[TheDizee]

Losing Binnington stinks, but that doesn't give the team an excuse to lose this series.

Husso's more than capable of playing well and, unlike last season, the defense is healthy (enough) and the forwards are healthy. Half of the top 9 need to wake up and start playing a lot better. Being out manned or out classed by Colorado isn't an excuse either. Their best players haven't been playing great either.

their depth outplayed ours last night (even if one goal was offsides, blues should have challenged). that will not happen again in this series if the blues wanna advance.

hope the note either gets good news on binner and hes ready to go or call up chuckie and get Husso ready for g4.

thomas had his best game of the playoffs last night, he seems like hes close to breaking out of his slump. lets hope that continues and we can get 91/89 going too.

 

[PJJJP]

I hope there are no more injuries on either team first an foremost. The biggest thing for me is our breakouts. Binnington was a huge reason why we could shut down the Avs forecheck and Husso isn't as good as Binnington in playing the puck.

 

[Louie the Blue]

It's easier to turn the page on a controversial, missed call than it is to recover from losing your backbone, Cup winning goaltender who was leading the playoffs in SV% and playing brilliantly.

You're not giving Husso enough credit then. He outplayed Binnington during the regular season. Binnington's been phenomenal during the postseason, but Husso isn't Chad Johnson.

If the Blues don't win another game or the series, they have no one to blame but themselves (barring another position group having multiple injuries). Using Binnington's injury as an excuse to not compete or win is weak.

 

[CraftyVeteran]

I'm thinking this could be an indicator for a roster change. I am kind of tired of seeing local sperstars but half-cocked NHL stars on the roster. I dunno fellas. We just don't seem to have a game breaker on the roster.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Its not Husso's play IN the net that is the issue so much. Its the loss of the puck-handling and its effect on the transition game. Husso instead of Binnington opens up a lot more strategic choices for Colorado. The Blues can still win, but the strategy game plays into their hands now.

I don't think intent even matters with the Kadri play. I really don't understand the league's apparently concerted decision to not protect the goalies this playoffs. We've seen several guys injured.

their depth outplayed ours last night (even if one goal was offsides, blues should have challenged). that will not happen again in this series if the blues wanna advance.

hope the note either gets good news on binner and hes ready to go or call up chuckie and get Husso ready for g4.

thomas had his best game of the playoffs last night, he seems like hes close to breaking out of his slump. lets hope that continues and we can get 91/89 going too.

Has a singled challenge been overturned this playoffs? Maybe one I can think of. But every call that was close to 50/50 has stayed a goal. I don't think they were going to overturn that call, and giving up the PP with a cold Husso would have been even worse. It would have been 2-1 in no time.

I really hate this f***ing auto-merge feature.

 

[Louie the Blue]

Its not Husso's play IN the net that is the issue so much. Its the loss of the puck-handling and its effect on the transition game. Husso instead of Binnington opens up a lot more strategic choices for Colorado. The Blues can still win, but the strategy game plays into their hands now.

Sure, but I don’t think Husso’s puck handling is the big issue.

It’s half of the top 9 doing almost nothing offensively and having to be bailed out by an other worldly performance by Binnington.

Husso could put up a .920 save % over the next 3 games and it could still not be enough how the forwards are playing.

 

[TheOrganist]

You're not giving Husso enough credit then. He outplayed Binnington during the regular season. Binnington's been phenomenal during the postseason, but Husso isn't Chad Johnson.

If the Blues don't win another game or the series, they have no one to blame but themselves (barring another position group having multiple injuries). Using Binnington's injury as an excuse to not compete or win is weak.

Not grasping the severity of losing a rock goaltender in net with the mental toughness of Binnington and how that confidence festers through the rest of the lineup (not to mention his other plus abilities like puck handling) makes me question how many Blues playoff nightmares you endured pre-2019. Would love to be wrong, but it's a series-changing loss.

 

[PocketNines]

Nathan MacKinnon has a leadership style like Neidermeyer from Animal House. That guy went on to be fragged in Vietnam by his own troops

 

[Louie the Blue]

Not grasping the severity of losing a rock goaltender in net with the mental toughness of Binnington and how that confidence festers through the rest of the lineup (not to mention his other plus abilities like puck handling) makes me question how many Blues playoff nightmares you endured pre-2019. Would love to be wrong, but it's a series-changing loss.

Just because Husso hasn’t had to shoulder the load of a playoff run before doesn’t mean he can’t.

People were doubting if Binnington could carry the load for the POs and he did.

I don’t think Husso’s mentally weak and he’s a good goalie in his own right.

Game 4 is in STL as opposed to Denver. Give the team a chance to recalibrate and see what happens. I don’t think this series is over yet.

 

[TheDizee]

Sure, but I don’t think Husso’s puck handling is the big issue.

It’s half of the top 9 doing almost nothing offensively and having to be bailed out by an other worldly performance by Binnington.

Husso could put up a .920 save % over the next 3 games and it could still not be enough how the forwards are playing.

thomas is the key. if he can get that 2nd line going, the avs are gonna have a nightmare trying to shutdown ROR and 18 lines.

he was so close to popping in a goal in the 3rd last night and he was very noticeable, almost had a couple breakaways. i think hes close if he keeps working hard.

91 looks lost still and Buch is the same.

 

[tfriede2]

Bottom line, last night is a turning point - either the Blues will use it as fuel, get focused, and beat the Avs like they did to the Sharks in 2019, or they’ll be thrown off the rest of the series and use it as an excuse when the Avs beat them. It’s up to the Blues which track they want to take, that’s the good news.