I really thought Dallas played overall quite a lot better than the Avs. Also the „more physical-forecheck“ style they played seemed to overwhelm the Avs at times. This should be a confidence boost. Also I noticed the Stars players irritating MacKinnon quite a bit compared to the first game, which is nice. :)
For team that lives off the counter attack like Dallas, physicality is necessary to create those opportunities in the playoffs, especially with both teams having a deep understanding by this time of year of each other's tendencies & attack strategies.
Every line needs a checker isn't a trueism of hockey, but given the 4 line wave attack Dallas likes to play, it can be very useful.
Build your 4 best offensive forward pairing knowing your muck rackers are meant to give way to more eliete scoring talent via quick shifts on the fly.
Until Robo gets back, I'd like to see what a Hintz-Steel duo could do to shut down Mac.
Hintz-Steel
Dutch-Donuts
Granny-Rant
Benn-Johnston
Bottom line Wyatt opens ample opportunity to grab unexpected zone starts and creates chaos for defenders to figure out on the fly, while minimizing Benn's exposure.
The thing with the physicality though is that it worked on Colorado because they're been outcoached. Most teams can't be run out of the building or ground and pound. If Dallas takes this approach to Winnipeg, they'll lose. Again, I think it worked last night for a few reasons. But it won't work for every opponent, and it's not something that has defined them in the DeBoer era.
I don’t know if it the Avs overall speed or just better positioning but it looks like at time that it is 6 on 5 out there. There is always a Avs player there when the puck goes around the wall. The Stars at least held their own in the game. The aggressive forcheck and the hitting needs to be there every night if they are going to win the series. If the Stars can somehow win game 3 I think you will see a change in Blackwoods game. He made some great stops in game 2 but was not the brick wall he was in the first game.
As quick as I was to criticize Mikko in Game 1 , He came out to play in Game 2 ; especially when that Finnish Mafia Line suddenly exploded on the scene ! . Man , does this team need Miro to get the puck out of their zone . Otter was solid . This was a very good Playoff Style game !
I agree with most of what you wrote, but not so sure about Colorado’s secondary scoring not offering much. Sure, the Avs’ big guns did most of the damage in Game 1, but tonight Jack Drury and Logan O’Connor got big goals in the second to erase a Stars lead and give one to the Avs. That seems to be the sort of secondary scoring that the Stars will have to clamp down.
Getting goals from your fourth line is not secondary scoring. It's just a bonus. Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, Valeri Nicushkin, and Jonathan Drouin have been mostly invisible. Theoretically the only kind of secondary scoring they can sustainably count on.
I really thought Dallas played overall quite a lot better than the Avs. Also the „more physical-forecheck“ style they played seemed to overwhelm the Avs at times. This should be a confidence boost. Also I noticed the Stars players irritating MacKinnon quite a bit compared to the first game, which is nice. :)
That was a Megalodon effort. And I am not talking about the fish of the first movie!
Harley just shy of 36 minutes of play.
If there is a silver lining from the injury to Miro, that's clearly it.
We now know that we have 2 Elite Top pairing D. Just a shame that they are both LD.
I am far from convince that they will go through Colorado, but is there a better feeling than a win in OT...During PO?
You sleep so well after...
Otter’s night seemed to also follow the pattern. Maybe soft goal #1. Too deep on 2 & 3?
After that seemed to gain more confidence and better positioning. Hope this is a turn for him as well. Would like to not get to 3 GAA in Denver.
David ….. Any News on Miro ??
Same as the old news: he might come in at some point, and he's on the road trip to Denver, but who knows.
For team that lives off the counter attack like Dallas, physicality is necessary to create those opportunities in the playoffs, especially with both teams having a deep understanding by this time of year of each other's tendencies & attack strategies.
Every line needs a checker isn't a trueism of hockey, but given the 4 line wave attack Dallas likes to play, it can be very useful.
Build your 4 best offensive forward pairing knowing your muck rackers are meant to give way to more eliete scoring talent via quick shifts on the fly.
Until Robo gets back, I'd like to see what a Hintz-Steel duo could do to shut down Mac.
Hintz-Steel
Dutch-Donuts
Granny-Rant
Benn-Johnston
Bottom line Wyatt opens ample opportunity to grab unexpected zone starts and creates chaos for defenders to figure out on the fly, while minimizing Benn's exposure.
The thing with the physicality though is that it worked on Colorado because they're been outcoached. Most teams can't be run out of the building or ground and pound. If Dallas takes this approach to Winnipeg, they'll lose. Again, I think it worked last night for a few reasons. But it won't work for every opponent, and it's not something that has defined them in the DeBoer era.
I don’t know if it the Avs overall speed or just better positioning but it looks like at time that it is 6 on 5 out there. There is always a Avs player there when the puck goes around the wall. The Stars at least held their own in the game. The aggressive forcheck and the hitting needs to be there every night if they are going to win the series. If the Stars can somehow win game 3 I think you will see a change in Blackwoods game. He made some great stops in game 2 but was not the brick wall he was in the first game.
As quick as I was to criticize Mikko in Game 1 , He came out to play in Game 2 ; especially when that Finnish Mafia Line suddenly exploded on the scene ! . Man , does this team need Miro to get the puck out of their zone . Otter was solid . This was a very good Playoff Style game !
Maybe Benn &. Seguin get a little more sleep and rest on the road by not having to do the night feeding ?? 😂
Blackwell earned his ice! Hate to see Bourque sit, but Steel and Beck deserve their ice too. Lines are still a bit off, imo…
Back should absolutely go. Bourque is simply the better player.
I agree with most of what you wrote, but not so sure about Colorado’s secondary scoring not offering much. Sure, the Avs’ big guns did most of the damage in Game 1, but tonight Jack Drury and Logan O’Connor got big goals in the second to erase a Stars lead and give one to the Avs. That seems to be the sort of secondary scoring that the Stars will have to clamp down.
Getting goals from your fourth line is not secondary scoring. It's just a bonus. Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, Valeri Nicushkin, and Jonathan Drouin have been mostly invisible. Theoretically the only kind of secondary scoring they can sustainably count on.