Series Talk: WCQF Dallas Stars (C2) vs Colorado Avalanche (C3) | Stars lead 2-1

[Balthazar]

A few reasons:

1) Vegas has shown an ability to win it all, as of yet Dallas has not. They've continuously come up short in big moments.

2) Dallas' D, even with Heiskanen, leaves A LOT to be desired. Vegas' D, on the other hand, is quite good with Theodore/Pietrangelo/Hanifin/McNabb able to eat basically 50 minutes each night.

3) I like Vegas' centers Eichel/Hertl/Karlsson better than Dallas' centers Hintz/Johnston/Seguin. Eichel > Johnston, Hintz > Hertl (not by much), but Karlsson in the playoffs I am taking over Seguin every day of the week.

Center strength is close but Dallas' forward core is significantly better than Vegas', especially with Rantanen. Goaltending isn't close.

"Ability to win it all" and "come up short in big moments" doesn't mean anything. Look at the Avs track record in the playoffs. There's a reason why cup winners rarely repeat.

 

[dahrougem2]

Center strength is close but Dallas' forward core is significantly better than Vegas', especially with Rantanen. Goaltending isn't close.

"Ability to win it all" and "come up short in big moments" doesn't mean anything. Look at the Avs track record in the playoffs. There's a reason why cup winners rarely repeat.

How is it significantly better? The Stars have scored a whopping 5 more goals than the Golden Knights this season. You can also think that goaltending isn't close but Jake Oettinger is fast getting a reputation for being better then he truly is. Guy got outplayed by f***ing Stuart Skinner in the WCF last year and his numbers this year are not that good for his rep.

You can disagree, but I absolutely believe those who have won before have an ability to - all things health wise the same - deliver in big games compared to those who haven't.

 

[Balthazar]

Maybe it's just me but I feel like their offense is very overrated.

Well since Dallas sucks so f***ing much according to most people here, Avs in 4! Should be a walk in the park.

 

[dahrougem2]

Well since Dallas sucks so f***ing much according to most people here, Avs in 4! Should be a walk in the park.

I've got Avs in 5 bb.

 

[SomaliHackey]

Well since Dallas sucks so f***ing much according to most people here, Avs in 4! Should be a walk in the park.

Dallas does suck.

Avs in 4 easily. Rantanen is going to get exposed this series.

 

[MacKaRtin]

It really doesn't. Use that brain god gave you.

Unless the Oilers' plan is for Nurse to injure all of the star players of their playoff opponents after the whistle, I just don't see how this iteration of the Oilers has a chance this season

 

[SomaliHackey]

Unless the Oilers' plan is for Nurse to injure all of the star players of their playoff opponents after the whistle, I just don't see how this iteration of the Oilers has a chance this season

I really don't understand why people act as if this team got worse compared to last year...especially when they rolled over the same Dallas team some of you are hyping up.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

IDK who this guy is, but PuckPedia retweeted it.

 

[SomaliHackey]

IDK who this guy is, but PuckPedia retweeted it.

What a horrible Saturday schedule outside of the Avs game.

They should at least have Sens-Leafs considering it's a Saturday

 

[GoNordiquesGo]

Wings?

I think the Yzerman/Fedorov era won three cups (97, 98, 2002) but the Zeterberg - Datsyuk era only won one (2008).
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[The Abusement Park]

I really don't understand why people act as if this team got worse compared to last year...especially when they rolled over the same Dallas team some of you are hyping up.

I mean Arvidsson/Skinner/Podkolzin/Brown as the top 6 wingers is a major downgrade from Holloway and Foegle. McLeod was a better fit in the bottom 6 than Kapanen and Jones. There's no Ekholm round 1. Henrique has been a tire fire this year...

There's like no argument the Oilers are worse this year compared to last year.

 

[SomaliHackey]

I mean Arvidsson/Skinner/Podkolzin/Brown as the top 6 wingers is a major downgrade from Holloway and Foegle. McLeod was a better fit in the bottom 6 than Kapanen and Jones. There's no Ekholm round 1. Henrique has been a tire fire this year...

There's like no argument the Oilers are worse this year compared to last year.

I'd say Holloway is the only real loss.

Also do you realize Kapanen and Jones aren't actually regulars? They won't be in the lineup for any playoff games.

 

[SomaliHackey]

I'd say Holloway is the only real loss.

Also do you realize Kapanen and Jones aren't actually regulars? They won't be in the lineup for any playoff games.

Their real top six wingers are...

Nuge
Hyman
Kane
Arvidsson/Skinner/Frederic

 

[Ararana]

I'd say Holloway is the only real loss.

Also do you realize Kapanen and Jones aren't actually regulars? They won't be in the lineup for any playoff games.

I found this great place you should check out:

Edmonton Oilers

forums.hfboards.com

 

[The Abusement Park]

.I'd say Holloway is the only real loss.

Also do you realize Kapanen and Jones aren't actually regulars? They won't be in the lineup for any playoff games.

I forgot Kanes coming back. But if Frederic is anywhere but the 4th line, maybe the 3rd line... That's a problem for Edmonton.

 

[SomaliHackey]

I found this great place you should check out:

Edmonton Oilers

forums.hfboards.com

Yup I've already found it.

Something called liking multiple teams.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I feel like with all the players coming off of extended rest they're going to be flat as pancakes in game 1. Hopefully a lot stronger in game 2 and beyond.

Landy's going to control access to the locker-room. Nuke is preparing pre-game snacks (orange slices sprinkled with sugar fellas...for crying out loud, let's not go back there already).

I have a feeling we'll be fine.

 

[SomaliHackey]

Landy's going to control access to the locker-room. Nuke is preparing pre-game snacks (orange slices sprinkled with sugar fellas...for crying out loud, let's not go back there already).

I have a feeling we'll be fine.

No chance the team will come out flat against the team that eliminated them in the playoffs.

 

[forsbergavs32]

Landy's going to control access to the locker-room. Nuke is preparing pre-game snacks (orange slices sprinkled with sugar fellas...for crying out loud, let's not go back there already).

I have a feeling we'll be fine.

I just really hope Lando ramps it up for Friday's practice and is on the 3rd line, then plays game 1. I wouldn't say I'm concerned yet but it was just disappointing to see him skating with the scratches, so I'm hoping they're being cautious with him.

 

[Ararana]

I just really hope Lando ramps it up for Friday's practice and is on the 3rd line, then plays game 1. I wouldn't say I'm concerned yet but it was just disappointing to see him skating with the scratches, so I'm hoping they're being cautious with him.

I still think it's game 3. Steal a win on the road then inject Landy at home when Bednar can control his matchups. The guy missed three f***ing years, dropping him straight into the playoffs against a cup contender is not going to be easy. Doing it on the road when Dallas can specifically target him could be a disaster both for the series and his long term availability.

Plus Landeskog's first shift in three year needs to be at home. The crowd noise decibel might surpass Makar's first goal levels.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I just really hope Lando ramps it up for Friday's practice and is on the 3rd line, then plays game 1. I wouldn't say I'm concerned yet but it was just disappointing to see him skating with the scratches, so I'm hoping they're being cautious with him.

He played two AHL games in two nights.

The only thing I'm worried about is going to be his conditioning pushing through the next two months. I have a feeling there are going to be nights where his lungs are feeling a special kind of burn that would probably drop me to my knees. But he'll continue to push as hard as he can. I just want one promise from him this playoffs.... just not to push past the place where things starting breaking. If minutes need to be reduced, so be it. If he needs a game just because he needs increased recuperation between games, so be it... we've actually got some fairly decent bottom six depth. Like there is a fair chance we are starting Wood and scratching both Kelly and Kivi. None of them are adaquate Landy replacements.... but each of them capable of playing the 4th line well.

 

[LOFIN]

Whether or not he's on the PP units is going to be defining. Because there is no-way they would play him without being a part of either unit.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Whether or not he's on the PP units is going to be defining. Because there is no-way they would play him without being a part of either unit.

I'm not disagreeing, because I think he'll be better than players on either unit.

But so many things I think seem clear and easy aren't often the case. (between you and me, I think this is part of the reason I have a reputation for being an idiot.)

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I still think it's game 3. Steal a win on the road then inject Landy at home when Bednar can control his matchups. The guy missed three f***ing years, dropping him straight into the playoffs against a cup contender is not going to be easy. Doing it on the road when Dallas can specifically target him could be a disaster both for the series and his long term availability.

Plus Landeskog's first shift in three year needs to be at home. The crowd noise decibel might surpass Makar's first goal levels.

Why?

What in the world makes you not want to have Gabe Landeskog in at the very first opportunity to set the tone, pace and championship pedigree needed and having been sorely lacked these last three years.

Besides, Gabe Landeskog's first shift back did happen at home. It happened at home for the Colorado Eagles. It's over and done with.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

TSN Insider Chris Johnston:

"Right now they are hoping he'll be available for that round one series, but I think it's not much more than hope at this point in time.

It does sound like from sources close to the situation, it's very possible Heiskanen is not available at all during the first round to the Dallas Stars. He had a knee surgery, has been out since the end of January. He did resume skating at the end of March, but that's a pretty long period of time to be recovering.

Obviously, when it comes to the playoffs, sometimes those injury timelines get shrunk and guys find a way to get back in the lineup, but right now it's far from a certainty we'll see Heiskanen in that first-round series."

'Very possible' Dallas Stars D Miro Heiskanen misses first-round series vs. Avs | TSN

It appears the Dallas Stars could be without their top defenceman in a challenging first-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche. TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports that it remains possible Miro Heiskanen will miss the entire first-round series after undergoing knee surgery on Feb. 4.

t.co