The Avs had a couple of kinds of speed. The speed of an individual that is noticeable when MacKinnon turns on the jets, and team speed that comes with knowing what to do.
The one being talked about when you suggest Things like Neal out, Czarnik in, or Dube in for whomever implies that the individual player speed is what won. You can’t deny how effective MacKinnon was, but that wasn’t the whole story.
The one that matters comes more from team speed. Colorado knew what Calgary’s tendencies were and stripped the puck many times with ease.
No player can skate as fast as a team in control can move a fast moving puck.
Under pressure, you sink to the level of your preparation. Flames were caught not having a plan, and got exposed.
Peters earns marks for overall season results, but loses a ton around play post all star game, and loses many more for how the Avalanche owned the Flames
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