I don't think I have a better hockey mind, but it looked to me like they were doing a combination of better dump ins and more coordinated support of the puck, like loading up one side but having the back side D in place to stop the weak side clear. In past games they never seemed to have support in place, which led to dumping but then either losing or never even touching the puck.
I’d be stunned if we actually won this series but at this point I would be thrilled if we took it to 7 or at least some Stars down with us and put a huge damper in their chances to actually win the Cup (once Benn, Suter and Dutchy are gone then whatever to them winning)
Didn't really look that different from usual.
I think it’s unlikely but we’ve also only seen 2 teams in NHL history go 7 in the first two rounds and escape the conference finals. It’s funny too because both were the same year
Streaks are meant to be broken. It's not like DeBoer will go undefeated in game 7s his entire career.
Momentum isn’t something that necessarily carries over game to game. It’s more off an in-game thing, imo
Call it confidence then maybe? The Avs will have all the belief in the world, the Stars may have seeds of doubt. Plus the pressure of performing in front of your home crowd. The Avs are currently 2-1 in Dallas.
I agree to a certain extent, but I don't want that to be the focus. I feel like when the Avs focus on being physical, they forget to focus on what's really important, which is tracking and puck support. I certainly want everyone finishing checks (from MacK on down), but not getting out of position to do so. I think instead the main strategy should be to run down those D by getting the cycle going.
I don't want them to go out of their way to finish checks, but they have to finish every check when the puck is around. Joel Kiviranta of all people was left alone for a slot one-timer last night because Tanev heard Colton's foot steps and got rid of the puck immediately by rimming it around the boards right to Miles Wood (could have been other way around). The fear of getting hit when you are hurt is real.
Thought the exact same about Tanev. If he's hurt he'll consider it being a hero or looking tough when it's actually just stupid and he'll play like trash.
They owe the home crowd a win in this series otherwise you just did the Kroenke's a favour with the game 5 win.
MacK never finishes checks
I know. I want to see it in game 6. A boy can dream can't he? Just imagine MacKinnon forechecking like Miles Wood for a few shifts. It would put the fear of God in those Dallas defensemen.
agreed. Not take cheap shots but make the game count for something if you aren't planning on winning. It's a marathon series and you can beat them in other areas.
Yeah, we actually used Landy's LTIR and I have to believe the Duhaime pickup was a direct response to LOC's injury rather than just adding him for depth. So they've both essentially been replaced for the season before the playoffs began.
Nothing will ever come close to the Paul MacLean lookalike:
