Regarding Millen - I think he is one of the better ones, generally. Knowledgeable, even keeled, and unbiased. Usually.
One thing that I consider to be an important quality in a commentator is the ability to let the game dictate the story. Too many of the weaker commentators bring a pre-set narrative into the game, and then spend the entire game trying to fit the game into that narrative. The good ones run with the story that is unfolding in front of them.
Another key factor is knowing your audience. If you are doing regional coverage for one team (and the other team has their own coverage), go ahead and tailor the narrative to the locals and be a bit of a homer. However, on a national telecast, and in this case a two-Canadian-team telecast, your narrative has to be more balanced.
Last night, Millen failed on both accounts. Yes, the story going in was about whether the Canucks could keep their playoff dreams alive. However, the game that unfolded was a pre-playoff clinic from the Flames. They were dominant, they were physical, and they looked like a team that is ready for the playoffs.
But Millen couldn't shake the narrative that he wanted to tell. And he had no interest in talking about the Flames. I had no problem with his original narrative, but when the Flames were dominating, and when they blew it open in the 3rd, he needed to run with that. Instead he sulked.
So IMO, yeah, he deserved the criticism last night.
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