I have to be honest, I’m having a hard time getting fired up for round two. I think it’s mostly due to the fact that I have a shitload of real life stuff going on at the moment, although I suspect the prospect have having to listen to this moron drop names for the next seven games might have something to do with it as well. I can’t even find the energy to rebut this fine piece of writing. I have to say, I think it’s T-rific that this guy has been able to find his post-career calling as a hockey blogger. (Seriously, it’s an inspired article and I never get tired of that Ricci to Garcia banner. It’s too bad Bill has such shitty taste in hockey teams).
Here’s what I think about round two:
I think it’s unfortunate that Hasek laid an egg too early. Chris Osgood is the better goalie, and it’s too bad that Hasek’s choke job against the Predators forced Mike Babcock to go with Osgood. I would have much preferred to go against Mr Stick-Throwing Gimpy Groin. Oh well.
I think Datsyuk and Zetterberg will be tougher for Foote to shut down than Gaborik and Demitra. Gaborik had a little success when he shifted from moving forward to moving left to right, and I think he would have had more success if he’d kept up with that (remember Sauer getting that holding penalty when he got caught flat-footed with Gaborik racing down the right wing).
I think Valtteri Filppula needs to pick a hair color to match his eyebrows. I don’t need to be wondering if the curtains match the drapes when I’m watching hockey.
I think I’d rather have Jeff Finger in the lineup over Jordan Leopold. Nothing against Leopold, I just think Finger is a little steadier and tougher, and I think those qualities will be more critical than Leopold’s puck movement.
I think I had no idea Dallas Drake was still playing hockey. Oh wait, just glancing at his stats I think Drake retired two years ago, but just hasn’t bothered to tell anyone.
I think I’m going to get really tired of hearing that Tomas Holmstrom and Ryan Smyth are the best in the business at working in front of the net. Someone needs to tell the suits that nobody gives a fuck the NHL and the only people watching are already well aware that Holmstrom and Smyth like to work in the crease. This isn’t curling - we don’t need the talking points spelled out to us.
I think Paul Stastny is due. Overdue.
Beyond everything else, I think this is going to be a hell of a series. Two good goaltenders, two deep forward units and some terrific players on the blueline. The Avalanche powerplay stunk during the regular season, but has improved substantially since the deadline. I think the Avs will need to play almost perfect hockey to advance.
I have faith, though. I think they will win in 7.
Way ahead of you buddy
Good stuff Jib. I didn’t want to bother with it either as it would just stroke his ego. But I honestly worry that the guy will have a heart attack at some point.
I’m always exited to watch Avalanche playoff games. It’s the reason I’m a fan, it’s the best time to watch your favorite team compete. With that said, Detroit presents a lot of problems.
First, their Powerplay is a killer. They can take the air out of your sails pretty damn quickly and Holstrom can frustrate a goaltender to total distraction. A lot of pundits including Dater and Avs fans all over are saying you have to hit, hit and hit some more. There’s a big problem with that mind set if the Avs get in to a mode where they are chasing players to lay big hits, especially in the neutral zone. Hitting is a key, but it has to be done in the right areas, partitularly on the forecheck. How many times have the “old” Red Wings been targeted with a gameplan of being physical against them? Many, many times. The reasons they have not only survived such tactics but at times excelled in such circumstances is because the Red Wings will kill you on special teams. If McLeod tries to take a run at Zetterberg in the neutral zone they will just pass out of trouble and get their defensemen rushing the offensive zone to get a scoring chance. You’ve got to stay out of the penalty box with Detroit. It’s OK to be physical but it’s not OK to take runs at guys that will get you out of position or in the box, ala the Wild in game five.
With that said, Detroit defensemen don’t care too much for a strong forecheck in their own end, the forwards should finish all their checks and get the Red Wings defense to short arm some passes and create some turnover chances.
The other thing Detroit is uncomfortable with (in the games I watched) is a pinching defenseman off the rush. Detroit got in all kinds of trouble in games I saw where coming through the neutral zone a defenseman pinched down. Their forwards really key on covering the point and defensemen. I noticed that when the Avs played them this year their forwards would shift off coming out of our zone and if Liles or one of the other Avs defensemen sprinted up ice instead of taking the predicted line change the Red Wings would start to scramble. That’s saying something for a Wings team that is a heavy puck possession club that limits shots.
So again, some believe running Lidstrom is the key. I really don’t think that 1. It can really be done at all. Lidstrom has seen every tactic there is. He’s just too good to get off his game. There’s no use in trying. He has ice in his veins, great anticipation and skating that’s second only to Neidermeyer. 2. even if you forecheck Lidstrom he’s usually in good position to recover and limit a scoring chance with the man he’s against. If Lidstrom shifts against Forsberg the defensemen for the Avs are going to play an important role. Shot creation against Lidstrom’s shift is going to be created at the point. Forsberg is really gifted at seeing the ice and an open man at the point.
So, to me the key to this series are the Avalanche defensemen and of course we need strong goaltending. If the Avs defensemen don’t score then the Avs won’t win this series.
I agree with you Dario, running Lidstrom is not the key. If the Avs have the opportunity to hit him clean and hard, by all means do so, but going out of their way to hit him will be as big a mistake as the Wild expending all their effort on Forsberg last round. It opened up the Sakic line all series because they were so focused on Forsberg.