Pre-Game Talk: Week of Returning Players? (Sea, @Wpg, Car)

[CobraAcesS]

IMO it comes down to teams knowing that if you simply contain the top line and don't give them 2-3 goals at even strength. Odds are you'll win the game. So they simply focus on that and the key is extremely limiting MacK.

It's very early, but Mikko isn't on track to prove he should make as much as Mack, especially if containing Mack kills the top line entirely.

 

[henchman21]

It's very early, but Mikko isn't on track to prove he should make as much as Mack, especially if containing Mack kills the top line entirely.

Problem is... Mikko doesn't have to prove anything for that. If he absolutely wants that, all he has to do is just has to wait.

 

[sethro109]

Avalanche your mission should you choose to accept it. Is to survive the next 5 games with at least 2 wins. Where at that time you should be able to reunite with much-needed reinforcements. Sacrifices in the bottom of the lineup is acceptable, but should any more high value players sustain an injury, the mission will be deemed a failure. This message will not self-destruct in 5 seconds to avoid any further injuries.

-Mission impossible Avalanche.

 

[Vaslof]

Problem is... Mikko doesn't have to prove anything for that. If he absolutely wants that, all he has to do is just has to wait.

He'll get the bag from someone by waiting, but maybe not from us. If he continues to look bad out there, and Nuke comes back and performs like a 1st liner and doesn't get caught in a coke bender, then at that point it might be realistic to consider moving on from Rantanen. Even if he fell off and scored half the points he usually does, he'd still be our best RW if those conditions on Nuke don't come true. That's why we're in a pretty shitty situation.

I admit I also get nervous watching him have bad games, but I tell myself it's important not to judge based on a limited amount of games.

 

[dahrougem2]

I don't know about that... Kivi produces a lot more individual chances. Kovalenko works hard and can pass, but doesn't shoot and can't finish. Kivi actually shoots the puck. Given Mitts' natural hesitance to shoot himself, you can't have two guys like that on a line and expect a lot of offensive production.

I thought 51/37/25 was doing fantastic before he put Ivan there

 

[henchman21]

He'll get the bag from someone by waiting, but maybe not from us. If he continues to look bad out there, and Nuke comes back and performs like a 1st liner and doesn't get caught in a coke bender, then at that point it might be realistic to consider moving on from Rantanen. Even if he fell off and scored half the points he usually does, he'd still be our best RW if those conditions on Nuke don't come true. That's why we're in a pretty shitty situation.

I admit I also get nervous watching him have bad games, but I tell myself it's important not to judge based on a limited amount of games.

I just don't see the Avs letting him walk. Worst case they'd do the same as they did with Landy and Nuke. Wait until the last minute and cave. Though given the complexities moving forward, I doubt they want to wait this deal out. Too many moving pieces to wait until the last minute.

Even as bad as Mikko has looked (and I think he always has these stretches), he's still at over 100 point pace. In a league where offense tends to get you paid, he provides and awful lot of it.

 

[henchman21]

I thought 51/37/25 was doing fantastic before he put Ivan there

It is a small sample (around 50 minutes), so tough to derive too much from it. The analytics point to a line that controls the puck, but does nothing of substance with it. A perfect Hurricanes sort of line.

 

[dahrougem2]

It is a small sample (around 50 minutes), so tough to derive too much from it. The analytics point to a line that controls the puck, but does nothing of substance with it. A perfect Hurricanes sort of line.

For what this lineup is at present, a Hurricanes sort of line is very much welcomed.

 

[the_fan]

Can we have the Avs forfeit the Jets game on Thursday? We are not gonna be healthy enough and gonna get annihilated. The game is in Winnipeg, they’re the best team in the NHL right now, and they gonna remember what we did to them in the playoffs. Let’s just skip this one because it’s not gonna be pretty. We gonna get crashed badly

 

[MaKarter]

Can we have the Avs forfeit the Jets game on Thursday? We are not gonna be healthy enough and gonna get annihilated. The game is in Winnipeg, they’re the best team in the NHL right now, and they gonna remember what we did to them in the playoffs. Let’s just skip this one because it’s not gonna be pretty. We gonna get crashed badly

You don't even care about Makar points anymore? If we win all the games Makar chooses no points. When we lose, he has to score.

 

[the_fan]

You don't even care about Makar points anymore? If we win all the games Makar chooses no points. When we lose, he has to score.

That’s true. The one bright side of this season has been Cale. Need to keep his scoring going

 

[dahrougem2]

Some stats four weeks into the season (everything is per/60):

Corsi: 4th
xGF: 11th
xGA: 19th
Scoring Chances For: 3rd
Scoring Chances Against: 5th
High Danger Chances For: 4th
High Danger Chances Against: 19th
High Danger Save %: 32nd
Shooting %: 15th
Save %: 32nd

So uhh... that goaltending gotta improve lol.

These numbers are all situations, but the real shocker to me has been the PK. Despite it giving up several goals thus far, they have given up the least amount of scoring chances and second lowest amount of high danger chances only behind LA. Only problem is goaltending is 30th in save percentage on the PK. So the skaters have been doing their jobs.

5v5 play is... not pretty lol. But that's to be expected with how many forwards are missing. This team just needs to survive and pray they get bodies back.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Some stats four weeks into the season (everything is per/60):

Corsi: 4th
xGF: 11th
xGA: 19th
Scoring Chances For: 3rd
Scoring Chances Against: 5th
High Danger Chances For: 4th
High Danger Chances Against: 19th
High Danger Save %: 32nd
Shooting %: 15th
Save %: 32nd

So uhh... that goaltending gotta improve lol.

These numbers are all situations, but the real shocker to me has been the PK. Despite it giving up several goals thus far, they have given up the least amount of scoring chances and second lowest amount of high danger chances only behind LA. Only problem is goaltending is 30th in save percentage on the PK. So the skaters have been doing their jobs.

5v5 play is... not pretty lol. But that's to be expected with how many forwards are missing. This team just needs to survive and pray they get bodies back.

Oh they are getting bodies back for sure starting with Lehky tomorrow. The real question is "Can the other bodies stay healthy at the same time?"

History says no and that is very annoying.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1853850498379469160

 

[Pokecheque]

For what this lineup is at present, a Hurricanes sort of line is very much welcomed.

Not really, they need lines that put the puck in the net, not lines that make every opposing goalie look good.

 

[dahrougem2]

Not really, they need lines that put the puck in the net, not lines that make every opposing goalie look good.

Don't nobody put pucks in nets minus the top line, especially since most of our damage is coming via PP.

I'll happily take a 2nd line that can tilt the ice even if pucks aren't ending up in the net.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1853865216435699923

 

[Pokecheque]

Don't nobody put pucks in nets minus the top line, especially since most of our damage is coming via PP.

I'll happily take a 2nd line that can tilt the ice even if pucks aren't ending up in the net.

They're getting something resembling production from Kiviranta and Mittelstadt. Nothing huge, but it's something. Losing Colton for six weeks minimum was more or less the last straw for this offense.

 

[hockeyfish]

I really have no idea why they are wasting cap space and a roster spot on Kaapo.

 

[henchman21]

I really have no idea why they are wasting cap space and a roster spot on Kaapo.

The third goal on Annunen against Nashville is why.

 

[Pokecheque]

The third goal on Annunen against Nashville is why.

I thought the first one he gave up was the absolute worst, but the third one was a direct result of his downright sluggish lateral movement.

 

[hockeyfish]

The third goal on Annunen against Nashville is why.

I get not trusting Annunen, but I don't see how keeping Kaapo really fixes anything.

 

[henchman21]

I get not trusting Annunen, but I don't see how keeping Kaapo really fixes anything.

He really doesn’t… but if George can’t get going. Kahkonen has a higher ceiling than Annunen. There will be a crossroads soon though.

 

[Murzu]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1853865216435699923

Everyday, it's a-gettin' closer
Goin' faster than a roller coaster

 

[Pokecheque]

Ya know one thing that annoys the shit outta me? Why does every other team seemingly know how to deflect pucks but the Avs are the kings of "tipped wide!" shots? Like, the only two players who have shown any sort of consistency in this regard are on LTIR. One is set to return on the 15th, the other may never hit the ice again.

Landeskog said he took it upon himself to develop this particular skill, feels like the coaches should take the initiative and take some time in practice to figure out how to deflect pucks properly.