WCSF - Colorado Avalanche (2) vs. Dallas Stars (3)

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

With Grubauer this series would likely be 3-1 for Colorado right now. That injury gave Dallas a fighting chance.

Hahahahah umm no, they would not be

[Monahammer]

Nj and Philly both goofed hard in that draft- 1 of Heskainen/Makar/Pettersen is going to be the best from that class.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

With Grubauer this series would likely be 3-1 for Colorado right now. That injury gave Dallas a fighting chance.

I think people are overrating Grubauer.

Him and Francouz split starts this season, and there was question coming into the playoffs about who would start between the two of them.

Lots of Avs reporters actually thought it might be Francouz since the team was better with him this season, and he shut Dallas in the qualifying round before Grubauer was injured.

So the injury hurts in that it doesn't give the Avs another option, but both goalies were pretty close this season.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

With Grubauer this series would likely be 3-1 for Colorado right now. That injury gave Dallas a fighting chance.

Don't know about that. Dallas is also playing a backup and neither of them have been convincing.



To me it's more about styles, Colorado is playing defensively more loose and is simply trying to outscore their opponent while Dallas plays more of a playoff style game. Defense generally wins in the playoffs when they put the whistles away and allow more grabbing etc.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think people are overrating Grubauer.

Him and Francouz split starts this season, and there was question coming into the playoffs about who would start between the two of them.

Lots of Avs reporters actually thought it might be Francouz since the team was better with him this season, and he shut Dallas in the qualifying round before Grubauer was injured.

So the injury hurts in that it doesn't give the Avs another option, but both goalies were pretty close this season.

Maybe his stats are over inflated as they played a pretty weak Arizona team but Grubauer had a 0.937 save percentage since the NHL resumed and he looked really solid and comfortable in net. I was certain that he was going to be tough to beat and and would likely take Colorado to the Western final if not all the way to the cup final.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Dallas has those guys that score those around the net tips and crash and bang type goals...perfect for the playoffs. And they have the D that gets the puck to the net.

Yeah, Pavelski has been huge for them in the playoffs so far, and that's exactly what he's doing all the time. He is a really excellent playoffs performer and leader.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think people are overrating Grubauer.

Him and Francouz split starts this season, and there was question coming into the playoffs about who would start between the two of them.

Lots of Avs reporters actually thought it might be Francouz since the team was better with him this season, and he shut Dallas in the qualifying round before Grubauer was injured.

So the injury hurts in that it doesn't give the Avs another option, but both goalies were pretty close this season.

They didn’t split starts.

Grubauer was injured. A couple times (4 times leading to missed games). Big one at the Stadium Series game. He is again. He doesn’t split starts with Francouz and never has.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Maybe his stats are over inflated as they played a pretty weak Arizona team but Grubauer had a 0.937 save percentage since the NHL resumed and he looked really solid and comfortable in net. I was certain that he was going to be tough to beat and and would likely take Colorado to the Western final if not all the way to the cup final.

Right, but he is sure not enough of a difference to swing this series in the other direction. I could see an upgrade in goal buying Colorado another win, but it's not like Dallas has just been floating muffins into the net with impunity.

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[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

With Grubauer this series would likely be 3-1 for Colorado right now. That injury gave Dallas a fighting chance.

With Grubauer, this series might be 2-2, but that's it. Colorado has not impressed me at all this series, especially their defensive play. They really are just a one line team, albeit an elite one line. Dallas has a lot more depth.

[dino7c]

Let's not forget Dallas is also playing their backup goalie

[PepsiFree]

Yeah I'm not sure goaltending make a big difference in this series (as far as who is/isn't available).

All four goaltenders started at least 26 games (Khudobin at the lowest, Francouz at 31, other two above 35).

In terms of SV%, it went Khudobin, Francouz, Bishop, Grubauer. So in theory, each team is playing their best option based on regular season performance.

Grubauer doesn't save this team or even move the needle. Dallas is playing their backup too and winning.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Yeah I'm not sure goaltending make a big difference in this series (as far as who is/isn't available).

All four goaltenders started at least 26 games (Khudobin at the lowest, Francouz at 31, other two above 35).

In terms of SV%, it went Khudobin, Francouz, Bishop, Grubauer. So in theory, each team is playing their best option based on regular season performance.

Grubauer doesn't save this team or even move the needle. Dallas is playing their backup too and winning.

I agree the difference is minimal, although the one advantage to Dallas is that Khudobin come into this series having played two games in the prelims, and five games in round one. Meanwhile, Francouz only played one game in the prelim, and one game in round one, before coming in halfway through game 1.

Even though both Grubbauer and Francouz were good in the regular season, don't discount the psychological loss of losing your "starter" in game 1 as well.

[blankall]

This is still nuts. Who would have possible called Dallas to go deep into the playoffs. Especially with Segiun barely playing above a .5 PPG pace?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by blankall

This is still nuts. Who would have possible called Dallas to go deep into the playoffs. Especially with Segiun barely playing above a .5 PPG pace?

Winning in the playoffs has always been a lot about catching lightning in a bottle. Calgary had all the momentum starting in Game #3 of the first round, and they looked like they would carry out through the next round. But then with that last minute game-tying goal in Game #4 of Round Two, Dallas has looked like a team on a mission. Everything is coming together for them at precisely the right time. Maybe it would have been different if the Flames had not lost Tkachuk, but that's how it goes.

It is pretty crazy how random the NHL playoffs continue to be. But then again, that is part of what makes them so much fun.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by blankall

This is still nuts. Who would have possible called Dallas to go deep into the playoffs. Especially with Segiun barely playing above a .5 PPG pace?

They did go to game 7 double OT with the Blues last season and then added proven playoff performers and young talent

I always thought they were a contender and didn't get why they were ranked so low. 2nd best team in the NHL since xmas

[Flamenspiel]

Dallas came very close to beating St. Louis last year, and a lot of their young players came if age this year. It’s really not so surprising, in addition to Grubauer, Johnson is out so that is very significant. Statistics aside, Francouz has had two bad games and one average one.

Also I believe Bishop is available as a backup.

[Northendzone]

count me as stunned that dallas has colorado on the ropes. i guess the addition of pavelski and perry is paying off nicely

[Tiger]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

count me as stunned that dallas has colorado on the ropes. i guess the addition of pavelski and perry is paying off nicely

Maybe... just maybe... and this is a crazy idea. The flames made some mistakes, but Dallas is just a really good team and the flames did decent against them for everyone to think could've would've shouldv'e about the series.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They did go to game 7 double OT with the Blues last season and then added proven playoff performers and young talent

I always thought they were a contender and didn't get why they were ranked so low. 2nd best team in the NHL since xmas

Yeah I certainly didn’t give them enough credit, but they are built to be exactly where they are.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Bet?

Well it was a prediction. But if you want to come back and call me a “super smart hockey mind” when they do, I’ll do the same for you.