GDT: [Emergency GDT, 3/16/25 1:30 MT] Avs vs Stars and the Battle for the Moose's Soul

[nightonthesun]

More than any other player, Nichushkin is able to drive his own line away from MacK and gives teams a very difficult assignment matchup.

If you want your best D pair to focus on MacK, Nuke is going to feast on your weaker pairings.

Like @dahrougem2 said, he’s a complete hockey player. He lacks absolutely nothing.

When he’s on, opponents have to try and shut down MacK and Nuke for over 40 minutes of a 60 minute game. Good luck.

Which, by the way: it’s telling that Mikko was never given that trust. And ultimately was traded, while Nichushkin was delicately pulled back from the brink of a potentially career-ending rendezvous with a Netflix Mini-Series grade drama spree by the Avs PR team

 

[lionsDen]

Great win, keep building confidence and trust. Love this team a few tweeks I’d have made. Regardless this team is gonna be a tough out, coming through the central is gonna be tough for anyone. Wins like today are gonna build some more resilience in this team

 

[nightonthesun]

IYKYK what a massive bitvh-wagon douchenne is. I spent a many year rooting for him as an AV. I suppose the good news is that if this is the prevailing thought from the stars they fail to see what happened tonight and we will keep beating their asses. Better refs … could have been worse for them.

Ok - keep the winning boys

Truly a cautionary tale of what happens when you make country music your whole personality

 

[flyfysher]

More than any other player, Nichushkin is able to drive his own line away from MacK and gives teams a very difficult assignment matchup.

If you want your best D pair to focus on MacK, Nuke is going to feast on your weaker pairings.

Like @dahrougem2 said, he’s a complete hockey player. He lacks absolutely nothing.

When he’s on, opponents have to try and shut down MacK and Nuke for over 40 minutes of a 60 minute game. Good luck.

How much do you think Nuke could have demanded following the SC final? IMO $6.125M/AAV was a steal. Off ice problems aside, I would have been more upset had the Avs not re-signed Nuke than I ever was when they traded Rants.

 

[MacKaRtin]

Wow, did you really need to take pot shots at my mom??

Tell your mom not to make awful graphs then

 

[The Pwnerer]

He's proven me wrong. All it took was taking his boyfriend away but Colton had looked real good these past few weeks. He's going to be vital in our playoff run. A menace to handle in the bottom six. Keep it up Ross! Lock up Wood and throw the damn key out.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

The refs made a bad call on Marchment when it was clear Toews is the one that tripped Makar.

Other than that, which of the penalties were debatable?

- Jamie Benn runs the goalie for a clear goaltender interference penalty.
- Benn then high sticks resulting in blood. Automatic 4 minutes.
- Lyubushkin handles the puck like a grenade, it gets chipped past him and he doesn’t even pivot to go for the puck just two hands stops and interferes.

Like, those three are as automatic as they get.

Now, let’s look at our gripes…

- f***wad Furlatt makes no effort to get out of the way on our clearing attempt, resulting in Dallas’ first goal. Fine, “bad luck” but this asshole is brutal with us every game.

- Robertson viciously cross checks Makar to the face, Cale drops down hurt and holding his face. No call.

- Girard, Lehkonen, MacKinnon were all slewfooted on different occasions. Girard one was super blatant behind our net.

Those were just off the top of my head.

Once it was obvious Dallas couldn’t skate with us, DeBoer resorted to “playoff hockey” with stickwork on every shift. They got away with tons for a regular season game and have no leg to stand on when it comes to gripes or complaints.

Like, what the f*** is this…

 

[JoeSakic13]

Tell your mom not to make awful graphs then

 

[Metallo]

8-0-1 since he’s been back.

13-0-1 in his last 14 games.

Last regulation loss with him in the lineup was December 16 against Vancouver.

GOAT gonna keep GOATing.

 

[dahrougem2]

The refs made a bad call on Marchment when it was clear Toews is the one that tripper Makar.

Other than that, which of the penalties were debatable?

- Jamie Benn runs the goalie for a clear goaltender interference penalty.
- Benn then high sticks resulting in blood. Automatic 4 minutes.
- Lyubushkin handles the puck like a grenade, it gets chipped past him and he doesn’t even pivot to go for the puck just two hands stops and interferes.

Like, those three are as automatic as they get.

Now, let’s look at our gripes…

- f***wad Furlatt makes no effort to get out of the way on our clearing attempt, resulting in Dallas’ first goal. Fine, “bad luck” but this asshole is brutal with us every game.

- Robertson viciously cross checks Makar to the face, Cale drops down hurt and holding his face. No call.

- Girard, Lehkonen, MacKinnon were all slewfooted on different occasions. Girard one was super blatant behind our net.

Those were just off the top of my head.

Once it was obvious Dallas couldn’t skate with us, DeBoer resorted to “playoff hockey” with stickwork on every shift. They got away with tons for a regular season game and have no leg to stand on when it comes to gripes or complaints.

Like, what the f*** is this…

It's typical Matt Duchene whining. He and DeBoer are a match made in heaven with how much they whine publicly.

God, I can't wait to play them in the 1st round. If today was any indication - and it very likely was because plugs don't magically get better come playoffs - the Stars cannot keep up with the Avs. Their D is too slow, too porous with the puck, and too unskilled offensively to keep plays alive.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

It's typical Matt Duchene whining. He and DeBoer are a match made in heaven with how much they whine publicly.

God, I can't wait to play them in the 1st round. If today was any indication - and it very likely was because plugs don't magically get better come playoffs - the Stars cannot keep up with the Avs. Their D is too slow, too porous with the puck, and too unskilled offensively to keep plays alive.

I would agree we skate better and are more talented than them.

Two concerns:

1. They will wear us down over 7 games. We will get injuries with all the goon bullshit, running goalies, slewfootintg, etc. I don’t see guys like Drouin, Girard, etc. lasting this type of style over two weeks.

2. DeBoer will complain to the refs after the first game or two that they’re getting called for too much stuff and the refs will put the whistles away to an extent.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

 

[dahrougem2]

I would agree we skate better and are more talented than them.

Two concerns:

1. They will wear us down over 7 games. We will get injuries with all the goon bullshit, running goalies, slewfootintg, etc. I don’t see guys like Drouin, Girard, etc. lasting this type of style over two weeks.

2. DeBoer will complain to the refs after the first game or two that they’re getting called for too much stuff and the refs will put the whistles away to an extent.

I get those concerns, but I think the Avs are equipped to handle that physicality this year as opposed to years past. Like you said, this TDL seemed to prioritize big boy hockey. Nelson, Coyle, Lindern. All will hopefully earn their keep this playoffs. Colton looks rejuvinated since Coyle's arrival. Val (Lord please) healthy and clean.

I also think this isn't the Stars of old. Yes, Benn and Marchment are still there but that top line does not play physical hockey, nor does any other forward, really. Their D can be physical but Lybushkin/Ceci/Lindell are more known for defending rather than throwing big hits.

I'm confident.

 

[Sea Eagles]

As expected - beating the top teams now
Going 8 - 0 - 1 in our last 9 games
Not too shabby hey.

 

[flyfysher]

I get those concerns, but I think the Avs are equipped to handle that physicality this year as opposed to years past. Like you said, this TDL seemed to prioritize big boy hockey. Nelson, Coyle, Lindern. All will hopefully earn their keep this playoffs. Colton looks rejuvinated since Coyle's arrival. Val (Lord please) healthy and clean.

I also think this isn't the Stars of old. Yes, Benn and Marchment are still there but that top line does not play physical hockey, nor does any other forward, really. Their D can be physical but Lybushkin/Ceci/Lindell are more known for defending rather than throwing big hits.

I'm confident.

For all the grief people have been directing at Nelson for not being an offensive tour de force, I’d rather have him than Mitts taking the FO, much less in OT. I’m pretty sure more than a few other posters here heartily agree.

 

[NorthernAvsFan]

I would agree we skate better and are more talented than them.

Two concerns:

1. They will wear us down over 7 games. We will get injuries with all the goon bullshit, running goalies, slewfootintg, etc. I don’t see guys like Drouin, Girard, etc. lasting this type of style over two weeks.

2. DeBoer will complain to the refs after the first game or two that they’re getting called for too much stuff and the refs will put the whistles away to an extent.

Disagree here. Colorado has a tougher/grittier roster than Dallas post trade deadline.

Dallas has really changed the complexion of their team. It’s about scoring and everyone being able to do it. It’s not the same style/team they’ve been in the past.

If it’s better, or not, we will see in the playoffs.

 

[JoeSakic13]

Awwww come on Mods, let us play with the troll.

 

[nightonthesun]

Awwww come on Mods, let us play with the troll.

I am disappointed. That was ripe.

 

[Azrael89]

Dallas doesn’t seem as physically tough. Take Benn out and they’re a fairly soft group

 

[dahrougem2]

For all the grief people have been directing at Nelson for not being an offensive tour de force, I’d rather have him than Mitts taking the FO, much less in OT. I’m pretty sure more than a few other posters here heartily agree.

Yeah, I've noticed Nelson is one of those guys who does a lot of little things well and has a heavy, heavy shot. That line is going to work because Nichushkin/Drouin are creating while Nelson is either finishing or creating space in front of the net - just as he did on the Avs 2nd and 3rd goals today.

I think people are being foolish if they expect Nelson to dominate games on the 2nd line. He can be Mr. Complimentary and that is ok, because it's WAY more than what Mittelstadt was providing. I don't have any fear when Nelson is on the ice the way I did Mittelstadt.

The chemistry will come. For now, just let him get used to the system and new teammates after 12 seasons with the same organization.

 

[Muffin]

Guy has always been a loser. Roy knew it right away

 

[JoeSakic13]

Dallas doesn’t seem as physically tough. Take Benn out and they’re a fairly soft group

If they keep playing Lyubushkin on the top pairing I feel like the Avs might buy him a steak dinner

 

[wayninja]

Ah man I missed a troll?

 

[JoeSakic13]

Guy has always been a loser. Roy knew it right away

So many Avs legends in one clip

 

[MonsterMack]

Ah man I missed a troll?

Same. Sad

edit: no one will understand the context, but I mentally read hairstylist instead of tailor.