Re: your last stray thought, one thing I think didn't get talked about enough after game 1 was that all Dallas's goals came off the rush, which you're pointed out they don't really excel at. (Eye test alert) From what I can tell, they haven't been able to get through and generate much off the cycle so far. It also seems like they preferred to pass on their odd man rush opportunities in game 2 and either held too long and took a bad angle shot, or tried to force the pass and it got broken up.
I feel like Pavelski's really struggled so far too. He's been iffy all year, but against Vegas it seems like he's always just a bit slow to react. Either the puck is just out of reach, or it gets taken off his stick before he's able to make a play with it. Not the only player this is happening to, but the most noticeable for me. I wonder if separating him and Hintz will help Hintz get better opportunities.
Lastly, Dadonov's just not working. I think you were spot on at the beginning of the year about the Stars not needing to re-sign him and now they're in an awkward position where he's "too good" to scratch (I disagree! I think he's still recovering/getting back to game speed) but has no one complementary to play with because the top 9 is basically set. He's positive on xG, but losing on Corsi and I don't think there's any reason to think this this is a line that can consistently produce higher danger chances than they give up. Not the biggest issue, since it's just 10 minutes a night, but when the bounces aren't going your way it doesn't help to shorten the game by half a period.
PDB is the first guy I've criticized. VGK is doing nothing new. He needs to adjust his scheme to how VGK plays. This is playoff hockey for Christ sake.
Totally agree on Pavs too. I don't know if you swap him and Stankoven/Johnston or put him on the 4th line though. I'm afraid on a line with Benn their lack of speed will be flat out catastrophic.
I feel like we can’t keep possession for the life of us. We either have bad passes or they’re always getting picked off. Is that a nod to Vegas or a slight to Dallas? My guess is a little bit of both. Vegas is simply the better team right now despite having a goalie that looks subpar. Like you said in your story before the series “styles make fights” and Vegas is our kryptonite
David, spot on about PDB. The way he's managing the D and #5 has and continues to be a bad joke. You point out the direct impact of constantly changing the pairings. Several weeks ago you also highlighted that Suter is actually much better when he plays with #5. This blind spot he has is seriously hurting the team to the point, whether he's right or wrong about #5, that he has to do something else. Play this Porter (sp?) person or anyone. For god sakes just play the 2 other pairs for 75% of the game but keep them together. Play 20 and 5 every 6th or 7th shift but stop f'ing with the other pairs. You're also right about Pav's. Unfortunately he's too slow to play with Hintz and Robo; however, with the little bit we saw yesterday I'm not sold on Stank up there either. I'd put Seguin (if he's healthy....) or Wyatt for the speed. Is Seguin healthy? Doesn't appear to be. What's up with 95? They've totally locked him down.
It was a fun season with what will likely be a horrible ending. That's sports and why they play the games. I don't want to hear the LTIR excuse, so far the team we drew has played better. So, do the Stars have another gear? They've had a lot of amazing comebacks this year so I'll be watching until the bitter end.
Keep your great analysis going, really appreciate your hard work!!!!
So “4 scoring lines” is NOT working. I’m now on the punt strategy team before it’s toooo late… maximize top 6 into our BEST 6.
I love that Stanky and Robo think the game alike! I’d put them with Wyatt for new number one line. It must be embarrassing for our other vets, that these undersized kids are the only ones who can drive the net thru Vegas’s huge d-men!!!
Maybe Duchene and Hintz can put something together with Benn!!! Benn HAS been effective against Vegas!
Seguin and Pavs on new 3rd line with Bourque… get the kid up now!!!
Go back to 4th line that was so effective at keeping the puck out of our end… Steel, and Smith, and Faska… sitting Marchment/Daddy.
Great summary of the situation and, yes, PDB's roster/strategy/tactical decision making needs to be pointed out. On top of what you exposed about the D, why in hell put Dadonov on the 4th line and destroying the chemistry built by Faksa-Steel-Smith?
It looks like PDB is kind of "panicking" in playoffs by changing stuff that was working before.
If he has balls, he will demote Pavelski and reinsert Smith. If he had extra balls, Bourque would be called up. I would play him with Steel and Smith.
This team needs an extra insertion of electricty because,as it stands, they have 99,99% chance or going on the golf courses next week, and a 80% of getting sweep.
lol Changed the title. How I let that one through is beyond me.
Re: your last stray thought, one thing I think didn't get talked about enough after game 1 was that all Dallas's goals came off the rush, which you're pointed out they don't really excel at. (Eye test alert) From what I can tell, they haven't been able to get through and generate much off the cycle so far. It also seems like they preferred to pass on their odd man rush opportunities in game 2 and either held too long and took a bad angle shot, or tried to force the pass and it got broken up.
I feel like Pavelski's really struggled so far too. He's been iffy all year, but against Vegas it seems like he's always just a bit slow to react. Either the puck is just out of reach, or it gets taken off his stick before he's able to make a play with it. Not the only player this is happening to, but the most noticeable for me. I wonder if separating him and Hintz will help Hintz get better opportunities.
Lastly, Dadonov's just not working. I think you were spot on at the beginning of the year about the Stars not needing to re-sign him and now they're in an awkward position where he's "too good" to scratch (I disagree! I think he's still recovering/getting back to game speed) but has no one complementary to play with because the top 9 is basically set. He's positive on xG, but losing on Corsi and I don't think there's any reason to think this this is a line that can consistently produce higher danger chances than they give up. Not the biggest issue, since it's just 10 minutes a night, but when the bounces aren't going your way it doesn't help to shorten the game by half a period.
PDB is the first guy I've criticized. VGK is doing nothing new. He needs to adjust his scheme to how VGK plays. This is playoff hockey for Christ sake.
Totally agree on Pavs too. I don't know if you swap him and Stankoven/Johnston or put him on the 4th line though. I'm afraid on a line with Benn their lack of speed will be flat out catastrophic.
I feel like we can’t keep possession for the life of us. We either have bad passes or they’re always getting picked off. Is that a nod to Vegas or a slight to Dallas? My guess is a little bit of both. Vegas is simply the better team right now despite having a goalie that looks subpar. Like you said in your story before the series “styles make fights” and Vegas is our kryptonite
I think the PDB magic has run out. Time to find a new voice.
David, spot on about PDB. The way he's managing the D and #5 has and continues to be a bad joke. You point out the direct impact of constantly changing the pairings. Several weeks ago you also highlighted that Suter is actually much better when he plays with #5. This blind spot he has is seriously hurting the team to the point, whether he's right or wrong about #5, that he has to do something else. Play this Porter (sp?) person or anyone. For god sakes just play the 2 other pairs for 75% of the game but keep them together. Play 20 and 5 every 6th or 7th shift but stop f'ing with the other pairs. You're also right about Pav's. Unfortunately he's too slow to play with Hintz and Robo; however, with the little bit we saw yesterday I'm not sold on Stank up there either. I'd put Seguin (if he's healthy....) or Wyatt for the speed. Is Seguin healthy? Doesn't appear to be. What's up with 95? They've totally locked him down.
It was a fun season with what will likely be a horrible ending. That's sports and why they play the games. I don't want to hear the LTIR excuse, so far the team we drew has played better. So, do the Stars have another gear? They've had a lot of amazing comebacks this year so I'll be watching until the bitter end.
Keep your great analysis going, really appreciate your hard work!!!!
So “4 scoring lines” is NOT working. I’m now on the punt strategy team before it’s toooo late… maximize top 6 into our BEST 6.
I love that Stanky and Robo think the game alike! I’d put them with Wyatt for new number one line. It must be embarrassing for our other vets, that these undersized kids are the only ones who can drive the net thru Vegas’s huge d-men!!!
Maybe Duchene and Hintz can put something together with Benn!!! Benn HAS been effective against Vegas!
Seguin and Pavs on new 3rd line with Bourque… get the kid up now!!!
Go back to 4th line that was so effective at keeping the puck out of our end… Steel, and Smith, and Faska… sitting Marchment/Daddy.
Great summary of the situation and, yes, PDB's roster/strategy/tactical decision making needs to be pointed out. On top of what you exposed about the D, why in hell put Dadonov on the 4th line and destroying the chemistry built by Faksa-Steel-Smith?
It looks like PDB is kind of "panicking" in playoffs by changing stuff that was working before.
If he has balls, he will demote Pavelski and reinsert Smith. If he had extra balls, Bourque would be called up. I would play him with Steel and Smith.
This team needs an extra insertion of electricty because,as it stands, they have 99,99% chance or going on the golf courses next week, and a 80% of getting sweep.