GDT: G52: Avs @ Isles - 28/01/25 @ 5:30 PM MT - Stopping Saint Patrick on the Island

[Belgican]

Compared to the Rangers game, it’s easy, Avs lacked intensity and emotion, they played at a low tempo imposed by the Isles, and they never went in their game.

 

[the_fan]

The entire coaching staff stinks. All stale.

Bednar is out of ideas other than overplaying the top guys.

Pratt runs the defense (and PK which has been good to be fair)

Bennett runs the PP only and is completely out to lunch

Parkkila now makes every goalie he touches worse

I think it’s mostly on players. They need to do a better job at staying focused for 60 minutes and not have so many breakdowns and brain farts. There is some fault on coaching staff also for sure. Like at the end of the game down by one, you have d zone faceoff and you put Mitts out there to take it who’s not good at all on faceoffs which leads to goal against and ends the game. That’s on the coach. Little things like that make or break the game

 

[CobraAcesS]

The entire coaching staff stinks. All stale.

Bednar is out of ideas other than overplaying the top guys.

Pratt runs the defense (and PK which has been good to be fair)

Bennett runs the PP only and is completely out to lunch

Parkkila now makes every goalie he touches worse

Yeah, it's time, they don't need to even fire anyone if they're that sentimental, BUT BRING NEW PERSPECTIVE IN, for f*** sakes.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Nice choice, cheers as always

You know I love you brother, even when I disagree with you. One of these days I'm buying you a drink at a game.

Its always love my friend. Agree, disagree, orgy etc. . Always love.

The entire coaching staff stinks. All stale.

Bednar is out of ideas other than overplaying the top guys.

Pratt runs the defense (and PK which has been good to be fair)

Bennett runs the PP only and is completely out to lunch

Parkkila now makes every goalie he touches worse

Im beginning to believe Parkkila might be a problem lol

 

[CobraAcesS]

I mean, the fact that they don't practice... AT ALL, should be all you need to know that the coaches have nothing to say or add.

Ouch lol, but can't argue

 

[Avs2022]

We need to get rid of Girard. He’s not the type of defenseman you win with and it’s only going to get worse in the playoffs.

Charmin soft

Agreed. Been posting this for years.

 

[twostroke2023]

We are good offensively 5 on 5
Good on PK
Suck on PP
Suck defensively 5 on 5

So what needs to change here? There are players having brain farts which result in easy goals against too often.

Is that Bednar issue? Nolan Pratt issue? We know Bennett is responsible for the shitty PP so there is that

I hate to be this guy but you can see the issue with the pp. it was beginning to be an issue last year too. The PP folds like a cheap tent on high pressure because the Avs don’t move their god damn feet enough. You might as well not even have a bumper player most of the time because the defenders don’t have to really move to get in the way.

The issue has been double exposed because the seam pass isn’t as much of a threat now because of Mikko being gone (and truthfully it had been figured out about a month and a bit ago). The legit have to pressure mackinnon and Makar into fumbling the puck or put bodies in makars shooting lane and it’s a one and done every time.

It’s no surprise that one pp against New York looked good. Necas didn’t know the system real well and it caused everyone to have to skate to compensate. I’m really starting to believe that the coaches and players have convinced themselves it’s just a tough run and there will be a return to normal. What they’re missing though is the teams have figured it out. It’s too easy to defend.

I would say to mix PP1 and PP2, but I’m not sure it’s going to fix the fundamental issue here. Without a Gabe or Nuke we don’t havoc in front of the net and the Avs want to stand still and be the globe trotters.

That leads me to one of two conclusions. Either coaching sees it and can’t get through to the players or the coaches don’t see it and are taking the “keep trying and it will normalize” stance. Either one way it’s on coaching. You either need shake the lines up and make them listen to you or you or change the system. Neither is being done by the looks of it.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Its always love my friend. Agree, disagree, orgy etc. . Always love.


Im beginning to believe Parkkila might be a problem lol

Maybe it's that our style of goalie has changed. They clearly want a blocker, with athletic ability.

The current goalie coach is best with guys like Varly and Frank.

I absolutely love Parkilla, but if the philosophy has changed and he can't adapt.

I think he's fine, let's see how this season plays out as far as goaltending goes.

 

[S E P H]

I think it’s mostly on players. They need to do a better job at staying focused for 60 minutes and not have so many breakdowns and brain farts. There is some fault on coaching staff also for sure. Like at the end of the game down by one, you have d zone faceoff and you put Mitts out there to take it who’s not good at all on faceoffs which leads to goal against and ends the game. That’s on the coach. Little things like that make or break the game

It's definitely overplaying as @sethro109 mentioned, but when you're a damn good team for so long, opposing teams and coaching staffs will figure you out. That's why the PP is rubbish, that's why the breakout is worse, and that's why Avs keep getting beat by goals right in front of the net.

 

[dahrougem2]

Three unquestionably in CDH, Middleton and Malinski. And now G and Manson are seemingly taking turns joining them every other game. Gotta let Malinski marinate in the AHL...they put too much faith in him way too quickly.

What more marinating? Guy is older than Cale Makar.

Malinski to me is what he is, an AHL defender who can be called up as an injury replacement for a few games playing sheltered 3rd pair minutes. Nothing more.

 

[The Merchant]

We are good offensively 5 on 5
Good on PK
Suck on PP
Suck defensively 5 on 5

So what needs to change here? There are players having brain farts which result in easy goals against too often.

Is that Bednar issue? Nolan Pratt issue? We know Bennett is responsible for the shitty PP so there is that

It's team defense as a whole as far as I'm concerned. Toews is the ONLY defenseman on the roster you can rely on to be steady defensively and even he's had his struggles this year. Manson also has the ability, but we all know how rocky that's been. That leaves two out of your 6 D that can play legitimate defense. Throw Cale in there too if you want to.

So if your defense can't play D, you have to supplement that with overall team defense from your forwards. Who's reliable? Lehky, Nuke, Landy, Drury, Drouin and maybe LOC. That's 5/6 of your 12 forwards and three of them either can't stay in the lineup or haven't even touched the ice. Team D was one of the Cup team's greatest strengths and now it is a glaring weakness.

The PP, yeah, whatever. It's ass and Bennett's strategies have clearly grown stale. But it's not the difference between this team being a borderline playoff team like it is now and being a legitimate contender again.

 

[the_fan]

If the goalie coach is the issue for Blackwood recent games being sub 900, how come he was like the best goalie in the NHL for 7 or 8 games after the trade and he actually got into Vezina conversation. It wasn’t a goalie coach issue then, and suddenly is now? I don’t get it. I just think this entire team is inconsistent and has been for the majority of the season. Maybe they just don’t have the motivation this year. This team has always needed an excuse to be motivated and to go on long runs.

 

[AegonLeConqueror]

Positives to take from tonight:

- Avs outplayed the Islanders for the most part
- MacKinnon and Necas seem to have instant chemistry
- Wood-Drury-Colton rebounded nicely after a horrific game against NYR and was great tonight. Drury another goal, I like him a ton already
- Lehkonen another goal

Negatives...

- Another 24+ minutes for MacKinnon and Necas after Bednar seemed to insinuate that wouldn't happen much anymore.
- Jonathan Drouin doesn't look good lately, and I have a feeling this is the Drouin we're going to get the rest of the way because of his injury that won't heal
- Avs lost the trenches battle both offensively and defensively. Way too easy for NYI
- Neither MacKinnon nor Necas seem willing to shoot when they have the shot to take
- Samuel Girard showed why come playoff time he's likely got to be the #5. He can't battle in front or in the corners.
- Casey Mittelstadt was yet again a bum, as he had the worst Corsi on the team and was on the ice for 0 high danger chances for but 2 high danger chances against. He had 1 shot, 0 rebounds created, 0 rush chances, 0 hits, 1 hit taken. Another nothingburger of a game.

The tough thing about Girard is that if an opposing player is just a little bit taller than him, and can handle the puck even a little bit, he loses any and all ability to defend said player

 

[CobraAcesS]

It's team defense as a whole as far as I'm concerned. Toews is the ONLY defenseman on the roster you can rely on to be steady defensively and even he's had his struggles this year. Manson also has the ability, but we all know how rocky that's been. That leaves two out of your 6 D that can play legitimate defense. Throw Cale in there too if you want to.

So if your defense can't play D, you have to supplement that with overall team defense from your forwards. Who's reliable? Lehky, Nuke, Landy, Drury, Drouin and maybe LOC. That's 5/6 of your 12 forwards and three of them either can't stay in the lineup or haven't even touched the ice. Team D was one of the Cup team's greatest strengths and now it is a glaring weakness.

The PP, yeah, whatever. It's ass and Bennett's strategies have clearly grown stale. But it's not the difference between this team being a borderline playoff team like it is now and being a legitimate contender again.

Nice post

 

[expatriatedtexan]

What more marinating? Guy is older than Cale Makar.

Malinski to me is what he is, an AHL defender who can be called up as an injury replacement for a few games playing sheltered 3rd pair minutes. Nothing more.

Would've been a time we would've killed for him to be on our second pair.

Yes, there are teams that suck very badly on defense and he could actually carve out a few years on a worse team. I mean, he's no Patrice Brisebois, but plenty of lesser dmen have had a career. I hope we get a good piece and he gets a good home.

 

[twostroke2023]

If the goalie coach is the issue for Blackwood recent games being sub 900, how come he was like the best goalie in the NHL for 7 or 8 games after the trade and he actually got into Vezina conversation. It wasn’t a goalie issue then, and suddenly is now? I don’t get it. I just think this entire team is inconsistent and has been for the majority of the season. Maybe they just don’t have the motivation this year. This team has always needed an excuse to be motivated and to go on long runs.

It’s not. Honestly Blackwood wasn’t amazing tonight or for lots of the streak but until these bozos realize they need to play with a brain in their own end and not give up odd man rushes all game from low percentage idiotic plays in the neutral/offensive zone, our goalies are going to struggle. I get we want a quick transition game but they need to stop flying the zone too. Our D isn’t what it has been in the past and it’s costing them because the passes are getting picked off.

 

[dahrougem2]

The tough thing about Girard is that if an opposing player is just a little bit taller than him, and can handle the puck even a little bit, he loses any and all ability to defend said player

The Isles 3rd goal wasn't even a puck battle. He got shoved into the Avs net by Horvat like an 8 year old son trying to push back against his father, then he can't do anything to Horvat when the puck does go around the net, gets shoved out of the way AGAIN and Horvat scores.

The guy - as good as he's been this year - will never not have that happen because of his size.

 

[RECKLESS]

Put Drury on the D zone faceoff ffs.

Also Drury this game and Wood last. Get the f*** off the blue paint. So pissed off about these lame coache's challenges, but we give em to em.

Bummed to see the PP being coached back to lameness, it really was a one-off against Rags and that wild horse has been tamed.

Edit to add: our third pair is still the most glaring hole.

 

[CobraAcesS]

If the goalie coach is the issue for Blackwood recent games being sub 900, how come he was like the best goalie in the NHL for 7 or 8 games after the trade and he actually got into Vezina conversation. It wasn’t a goalie coach issue then, and suddenly is now? I don’t get it. I just think this entire team is inconsistent and has been for the majority of the season. Maybe they just don’t have the motivation this year. This team has always needed an excuse to be motivated and to go on long runs.

Blackwood is fine, he's coming back to earth a little, but he truly gives them the chance to win every night.

He's not an 8 or 10M goalie. He's awesome, but he's not paid to be the one to bail them out even most nights..

He hasn't lost a single game where I felt it was on him. That is everything these days.

 

[dahrougem2]

Put Drury on the D zone faceoff ffs.

Also Drury this game and Wood last. Get the f*** off the blue paint. So pissed off about these lame coache's challenges, but we give em to em.

Bummed to see the PP being coached back to lameness, it really was a one-off against Rags and that wild horse has been tamed.

Drury and Wood did in these two games what the Avs need to do for their offense to work. Yeah, it got 2 goals called back but it won't happen every game.

If the Avs don't cause mayhem in front, their offensive strategy is not as effective.

 

[the_fan]

It’s not. Honestly Blackwood wasn’t amazing tonight or for lots of the streak but until these bozos realize they need to play with a brain in their own end and not give up odd man rushes all game from low percentage idiotic plays in the neutral/offensive zone, our goalies are going to struggle. I get we want a quick transition game but they need to stop flying the zone too. Our D isn’t what it has been in the past and it’s costing them because the passes are getting picked off.

Yup well said..

The D just breaks down too often and gives up super easy scoring chances. They have been bailed out by Blackwood often, but he can’t save them all

 

[CobraAcesS]

Drury and Wood did in these two games what the Avs need to do for their offense to work. Yeah, it got 2 goals called back but it won't happen every game.

If the Avs don't cause mayhem in front, their offensive strategy is not as effective.

Yeah, but they need to take heed. Go in, f*** it up, but get the f*** out if the puck is coming at the net.

This year they're calling it back if you've got both feet in the paint. It's clear

 

[twostroke2023]

Drury and Wood did in these two games what the Avs need to do for their offense to work. Yeah, it got 2 goals called back but it won't happen every game.

If the Avs don't cause mayhem in front, their offensive strategy is not as effective.

Honestly I agree with this statement 100000%. If they get 2 of 10 net front goals called back they still end up 8 to the positive. You’re going to get bounces and rewarded with greasy goals if they were to all do that during the game.

Yeah, but they need to take heed. Go in, f*** it up, but get the f*** out if the puck is coming at the net.

It’s a fine line when playing that way. The only reason it’s an issue for us is because it happened two games in a row and the Avs almost never have anyone near there consistently in the first place. Extrapolated over a long enough time, they end up better off toeing the line.

 

[drhiii]

I suspect... just suspect ... can't prove a thing..... that the Avs found out (as a consequence of his medical recovery) that Nuke is inebriated again and are drying him out.

When, gobsmacked, Avs conducted their actions with Nuke, now 3 times and god knows how many unknown additionals.. and they chose to try 4th time's a charm with the guy, that they didn't assign a security babysitter rotating detail to him 28 hrs a day, 12 days a week, 45 days a month... chances of failure close to 100%. Who does not see this coming, again?

Say it ain't so. Hope it ain't so. No proof. But FFS... says a great deal about bednar and company too, if...

 

[twostroke2023]

When, gobsmacked, Avs conducted their actions with Nuke, now 3 times and god knows how many unknown additionals.. and they chose to try 4th time's a charm with the guy, that they didn't assign a security babysitter rotating detail to him 28 hrs a day, 12 days a week, 45 days a month... chances of failure close to 100%. Who does not see this coming, again?

Say it ain't so. Hope it ain't so. No proof. But FFS... says a great deal about bednar and company too, if...

I truly believe this isn’t the case, but if it is this issue again, I completely blame the player assistance program rules in general. I wouldn’t report the damn guy either. Great way to have uncertain cap issues yet again. My understanding is it’s not necessarily grounds for contract termination for sure and the non ability to ltir the player is a joke.