This proves that I'm an apologist, but I think I can see what Gaudreau was at least "thinking."
First off, that is blown coverage no matter how you shake it. But I refuse to believe that in certain situations players just give up.
Gaudreau was with his man in the first stages of that rush, by the looks of it he abandons his man when it looks like Bartkowski was successful on the stick check. Its like he was going to help on a boards battle, or to collect the puck for a breakout. Instead, the ANA players had a good second effort and got the pass across.
Blown coverage for sure, but lets not draw and quarter him. I wonder is 28 year old Gaudreau in his prime would do the same thing, or if this is the ongoing learning process for a young guy.
I have no idea what the nuances of the Flames' system is so it is quite possible that Gaudreau was also asleep at the wheel.
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