GDT: WCQF: Game 4 - Dallas Stars @ Colorado Avalanche | 7:30PM MT

[MacKaRtin]

Guys DeBoer didn't rest Otter in a 3-0 game with a full period to play. He's lying.

He thought it would shake up the team and it backfired.

Nah, remember Game 1 in 2021? DeBoer knew his team wasn't ready to play after the long 7 game series against the Wild and threw Lehner to the wolves (Avs) to rest Fleury. He knew his team wasn't at the races tonight and thought it would be best to let his goalie mentally regroup

 

[UncleRisto]

Necas put Marchment down. So he gets a pass.

Necas also almost created a goal in the third and I only saw the third, so as far as I see it he played excellent.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

had to watch the game way late today.

Freakin' great game. All the stars stepped up today. MacKinnon and Gabe following O'Connor's lead. Boys, and girls, it made my bitter heart warm a bit. Still not close to thawing... but it was noticeable.

Such a great game to watch. Also.. probably the most enjoyable "broadcast" of the year for me. They were definitely calling it like a home game for the Avs. But I think the Avs play largely dictated what they were talking about.

Also... Columbus Blue Jackets are damn lucky. They've got their own version of McNab in Jody Shelley. Jody's really getting to shine in the national spotlight. He just seems like such a cool, relaxed guy and he's knowledgable of the entire league and does not speak ill of people. Also, has an understated sense of humor... All just like Maxy.

 

[RECKLESS]

"It wasn't just a playoff goal. It was a life goal." -Nate

Damn Dawg. Didn't know he was such a sweet poet inside.

 

[RECKLESS]

I wanna shoutout Sammy G., too. I think the feisty little f***er played an awesome game!

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

He’d be skating if it was day-to-day.

He’s nowhere to be found right now.

He Nuked himself?

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

It's just frustrating. If we came out like this at the start of the series it would be either 3-1 for us or over. So annoying. Where the hell was this before?? What were we waiting for?? Put the ***** effort in and this team is good.

This is how we must play to win the Stanley Cup. No more lazy assing it. You are good but not that good.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Momentum needs to continue to Monday. Can't be happy blowing them out in game 4 if you still end up losing the series.

Hope Gabe has the boys ready for the same kind of effort on Monday night because I expect Dallas to play a lot harder than they did tonight.

Exactly. This is how they must continue rest of the playoffs. No more half ass effort. All in or nothing. Keep going.

 

[MacKaRtin]

It's just frustrating. If we came out like this at the start of the series it would be either 3-1 for us or over. So annoying. Where the hell was this before?? What were we waiting for?? Put the ***** effort in and this team is good.

This is how we must play to win the Stanley Cup. No more lazy assing it. You are good but not that good.

Makes me wonder why Landy wasn't out there for Game 1, unless they were being extra cautious to see how his body reacted well after the Eagles games

 

[expatriatedtexan]

The Avs played a different game tonight then they've played in games 1-3. Tonight they played with swagger. That second period... damn. Every single board battle, they turned into a f***ing war they refused to back down from. And basically in doing so, they just ellusive gear where they can not be denied.

Tonights game felt more like a march of destiny than a tightly contested playoff game.

But, I have no doubt game five is going to have a very different feel but the Avs need to approach it in the exact same manner. Every single clear, dump in and board battle needs to be executed perfectly and with clear purpose.

Was a very fun game to watch. O'Connor's face while congratulating on his goal from the bench. Everyone was filled with joy... but the guys that played with Gabe... their reactions all had something more. Mack's huge hug, Lehky's stoicism completely breaking down into a huge, laughing grin. The way Nuke was hugging Landy on the ice after the goal. Just such a phenomenal moment in time.

 

[Richard88]

Stars fans are also convinced Oettinger has one really bad playoff game every single series he plays, and that he hasn't had it yet.

Here's hoping it's game 5 after he got embarrassed by his coach.

Oettinger didn't get embarrassed. If anything it was an embarrassing indictment of the rest of the Dallas team by DeBoer, basically telling them that he thinks they're playing so badly that playing the 3rd period is a complete waste of time.

Beyond resting Oettinger it maybe also gave DeBoer something minor to motivate his team with in that otherwise meaningless 3rd period... "Win the period for Casey DeSmith" who likely won't play another game this series/season.

 

[Richard88]

I'm warming up more and more to the idea of Malinski as the future 2RD.

I think he's truly starting to figure out the game at the NHL speed. He honestly looked just like Makar tonight with his ability to move along the blue line and create space for himself and get his shots through traffic. And he's clearly showing he can handle the physicality just fine as well.

Playing EJ over him in the first two games is looking moronic based on how Malinski is playing. Hopefully he can keep it up in Dallas where Bednar won't have last change.

 

[Richard88]

I dunno how they could ever do it cap space wise but the 6 Dmen we have right now would make for an unbelievably strong group next year as well quite frankly.


Toews - Makar
Lindgren - Malinski
G - Manson



Could absolutely trust every pairing to play 20 minutes a night.

They have $8.7m in capspace so they could keep that blueline intact if they want, but it would probably mean that Nelson walks, or that they've made space by trading Colton/Wood and/or not re-signed Drouin.

 

[Richard88]

Him and Coyle. Even though Coyle has gone a bit quiet in the series. But yeah, two extremely shrewd moves that I hated initially as well

Coyle has been great but he's unfortunately seen his usage drop because he has to babysit Drouin. Tonight his line saw the least amount of 5v5 icetime.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

They have $8.7m in capspace so they could keep that blueline intact if they want, but it would probably mean that Nelson walks, or that they've made space by trading Colton/Wood and/or not re-signed Drouin.

Those two aren't exactly prooving themselves to be key components of this teams playoff fortunes this year. Just food for thought, especially after an underwhelming season for both. Wood is probably tough to move, but I do believe Colton would be more likely to waive to a team if his buddy Wood was part of the deal. Together, we won't be getting much back, but that's the key...I don't want to say the returning picks are just simply gravy but... the key is to clear cap space.

 

[Alienblood]

had to watch the game way late today.

Freakin' great game. All the stars stepped up today. MacKinnon and Gabe following O'Connor's lead. Boys, and girls, it made my bitter heart warm a bit. Still not close to thawing... but it was noticeable.

Such a great game to watch. Also.. probably the most enjoyable "broadcast" of the year for me. They were definitely calling it like a home game for the Avs. But I think the Avs play largely dictated what they were talking about.

Also... Columbus Blue Jackets are damn lucky. They've got their own version of McNab in Jody Shelley. Jody's really getting to shine in the national spotlight. He just seems like such a cool, relaxed guy and he's knowledgable of the entire league and does not speak ill of people. Also, has an understated sense of humor... All just like Maxy.

Nova Scotia boy

 

[Richard88]

Avs points at 5v5...

Slightly concerning that Mackinnon and Makar have just 1 assist between them at 5v5 through 4 games. At least Mackinnon has been scoring on the powerplay though.

All situations scoring below.

Necas and Nichushkin with one point each. Would be really nice to see more production from them, especially Necas.

 

[Richard88]

The Avs played a different game tonight then they've played in games 1-3. Tonight they played with swagger. That second period... damn. Every single board battle, they turned into a f***ing war they refused to back down from. And basically in doing so, they just ellusive gear where they can not be denied.

Tonights game felt more like a march of destiny than a tightly contested playoff game.

But, I have no doubt game five is going to have a very different feel but the Avs need to approach it in the exact same manner. Every single clear, dump in and board battle needs to be executed perfectly and with clear purpose.

Was a very fun game to watch. O'Connor's face while congratulating on his goal from the bench. Everyone was filled with joy... but the guys that played with Gabe... their reactions all had something more. Mack's huge hug, Lehky's stoicism completely breaking down into a huge, laughing grin. The way Nuke was hugging Landy on the ice after the goal. Just such a phenomenal moment in time.

Someone said it earlier in the thread but the Avs seemed to be focussing more on soft dump-ins in this game, similar to game 1, and I agree with that. Felt like in game 2 and 3 they were trying to force things a bit too much by trying to gain the zone in possession and got frustrated when it wasn't working, but here they simplified things and it worked really well.

The soft dump-ins to the corners allowed them to negate Dallas' NZ defensive scheme and put their Dmen on their heals as our forwards are often faster than their Dmen so they have very little time to recover the pucks in the corners before getting pressured.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Someone said it earlier in the thread but the Avs seemed to be focussing more on soft dump-ins in this game, similar to game 1, and I agree with that. Felt like in game 2 and 3 they were trying to force things a bit too much by trying to gain the zone in possession and got frustrated when it wasn't working, but here they simplified things and it worked really well.

The soft dump-ins to the corners allowed them to negate Dallas' NZ defensive scheme and put their Dmen on their heals as our forwards are often faster than their Dmen so they have very little time to recover the pucks in the corners before getting pressured.

I definintely plan on re-watching the game and will look for this specifically. That would actually show a pretty big change in gameplan from Bednar.

Thank god ESPN+ actually gives us the ability to rewatch TNT broadcasted playoffs games. I don't believe they did that during the regular season this year.

Also...I'm currently watching WSH-MTL Game 3 right now. Holy crap this was a game and a half. A playoff game in Montreal is on my bucket list.

[edit...Holy shit.... right after I posted this... Wilson and Anderson go full mental, "please throw me out of the league" mode. Jesus, they both fought while on Washington's bench? Good lord, I love me some full on chaos. Who the hell opened the damn bench gate?"]

 

[Raucherhusten]

Perfect game. Nothing to add. If we continue like THIS, Dallas won't stand a chance.

And now on to the next one.

 

[Richard88]

Those two aren't exactly prooving themselves to be key components of this teams playoff fortunes this year. Just food for thought, especially after an underwhelming season for both. Wood is probably tough to move, but I do believe Colton would be more likely to waive to a team if his buddy Wood was part of the deal. Together, we won't be getting much back, but that's the key...I don't want to say the returning picks are just simply gravy but... the key is to clear cap space.

The Avs will have $8.7m in capspace with 16 guys signed this off season. Moving Colton and Wood adds another $6.5m in space, so they'd have $15.2m in total capspace, which might be enough to bring back everyone except Drouin.

Nelson $6.5m
Kiviranta $1.5m
Malinski $1.5m
Lindgren $4m

Those signings, along with Ivan and Prischepov (or other similar caphit depth guys) leave the 22 man roster below with $48k in capspace.

It would suck to let Drouin walk as he's decent value in the regular season, but if you have a choice between Drouin and Lindgren right now Lindgren is clearly more important to this teams success in the playoffs. The Avs simply can't afford another ~$3m+ winger, especially one who's sinking any line he's on in the playoffs the way Drouin has been the last couple of games.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Coyle has been great but he's unfortunately seen his usage drop because he has to babysit Drouin. Tonight his line saw the least amount of 5v5 icetime.

View attachment 1023917

Landy made the second line click. Daaaammm

 

[expatriatedtexan]

The Avs will have $8.7m in capspace with 16 guys signed this off season. Moving Colton and Wood adds another $6.5m in space, so they'd have $15.2m in total capspace, which might be enough to bring back everyone except Drouin.

Nelson $6.5m
Kiviranta $1.5m
Malinski $1.5m
Lindgren $4m

Those signings, along with Ivan and Prischepov (or other similar caphit depth guys) leave the 22 man roster below with $48k in capspace.

It would suck to let Drouin walk as he's decent value in the regular season, but if you have a choice between Drouin and Lindgren right now Lindgren is clearly more important to this teams success in the playoffs. The Avs simply can't afford another ~$3m+ winger, especially one who's sinking any line he's on in the playoffs the way Drouin has been the last couple of games.

View attachment 1023924
View attachment 1023925

That's tight. 48K in space. Not sure how we bank the cap space to make upgrades at the deadline. I'd feel a lot safer with closer to 975K-1M in space but...

Yeah. If at all possible, I'd really like to keep Lindgren. The dude seems to be a bit of a glutton for punishment but relishes it and appears to be tough as nails.

 

[Richard88]

That's tight. 48K in space. Not sure how we bank the cap space to make upgrades at the deadline. I'd feel a lot safer with closer to 975K-1M in space but...

Yeah. If at all possible, I'd really like to keep Lindgren. The dude seems to be a bit of a glutton for punishment but relishes it and appears to be tough as nails.

I agree, it's tight, but we're seeing right now the value a player like Lindgren brings in the playoffs. Guys who can play that nasty brand of hockey and also skate well enough to fit the Avs system are hard to find.

 

[GeoRox89]

Brilliant result to wake up to (Nuggets too). Watched the clips of Landy’s goal repeatedly

Don’t feel like going through this whole thread. Did Bednar make any key adjustments or did the boys just play better and with intensity again?

Just over 5 hours on the countdown clock hoping to make it 3/3 today