[PGT] Avs 3 Flames 2 on the brink

[flylock shox]

I think people clamoring to trade Gaudreau or characterizing him as a player you can't win with are simply over-reacting.



He's a small, skilled player. He's not a strong player or a speed demon. To be useful, he needs space, and he can't have space when his linemates pose zero offensive threat on their own.



The Avs could legitimately double-team Johnny every shift, knowing there's no risk either of his linemates is going to score unless he can set them up.



Put him on a line with another guy who can drive play and score goals, and he'll be as good as he is in the regular season. Right now though, he's basically alone out there and getting frustrated. But he's still the same wizard he's always been and we're lucky to have him.

[tvp2003]

Monahan and Gaudreau aren’t going anywhere. Monahan will need more surgeries during the off-season and once they’re healthy they’ll light it up in the regular season until Mony gets injured again and the whole line disappears.

Fool me once, shame on you...

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Beninho

This Avs team is gonna be here for many more years too. They get the 4th pick as well, some teams have all the luck. Baring a miracle, Treliving has his work cut out for him


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have my doubts Treliving will be around next year after this debacle combined with the Brouwer and Neal contracts the owners are on the hook for.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by zamler

You don't play a good game and give up 50 shots in fact it is rare to win any game giving up that many.

They did get 40 shots...the shot guy had an itchy trigger finger

[killer_carlson]

I'm ok with Johnny. He'll get through it.

I think Monahan is hurt. He looks to be 1/2 the player he was during the regular season.

I agree with the sentiment that we need a physical presence in our top 6.

I also note the character of guys like Ryan, Backlund and Smith to take the difficult interviews after tonight's game. Good on them.

Backlund was asked hard questions. He didn't shy away.

Smith was asked about his performance - he said he didn't care. It's all about winning. Nice to have personal success but it's about the team.

Well done.


Let's win the next one and see where we are at.

[Flash Walken]

MOD EDIT: Removed quoted post full of insults.

[browna]

Can't not be repeated how much of a goat Backlund is these last 3 games. And to boot missed the OT chance and of course slow back on the gwg after the terrible penalty he took.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

As much as I hated the officiating today, this Fleury tweet also rings true.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1118658440937660416

Well believe it or not, the Avs are absolutely dominating the Flames from an analytics standpoint as well.

[Spinach]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

29 years of... "oh, if only for this break here, or this bounce there, or a goal here or some better luck there".

At some point, the sample size becomes to large to chalk it all up to bad luck. This organization has severely underdelivered and let down its fan base.

It seems inexplicable, although I'd wager statistical experts or someone who knows NHL culture inside and out could offer an explanation. What's really baffling is how the team has been especially cursed in playoff OT since '89.

In '04, they were 7-2 in postseason OT.

Outside of that, since the Cup win they're now 2-15 in postseason OT (if memory serves). I know you can't just discount '04, but even with that run they're 9-17 in extra sessions. What gives?

[Hockey_Ninja]

Embarrassment from top to bottom. The boys have nobody but themselves to blame. One of the best regular seasons we've ever had wasted. They better come out hard in game 6. At least try to make it interesting. But this team is done.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I have my doubts Treliving will be around next year after this debacle combined with the Brouwer and Neal contracts the owners are on the hook for.

Yeah, Treliving is going to be around next year, no question at all.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

It’s staggering how awful Gaudreau & Monahan have been, especially against a very average D core, no Prongers back there.

The Av's d-core is also massive. There are giants out there. Johnny and Monahan need some physical assistance.

it's a different game in the playoffs.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Fans are angry and its a reasonable thing, especially with high expectations. Its better to vent here then to go out and kick a dog into orbit and curse out a baby. So there's that.


He has to find a way to do more, that's on him, but he's not the only one, but he's going to be a focal point for anger.


I think even if these fans were to get into a room with him and resist screaming at him like a steroid overdosing version of my dad we'd see that he's probably just as embarrassed and frustrated as we are.


I'm old enough to remember that ugly playoff season in 1984 I think against the Oilers where the Flames got completely run over and humiliated, and that group of players had to take that beating and learn from it, that's what can happen at the start of your window.


Its how players like Johnny and Monahan learn and adjust between now and Friday and between whenever the season ends and next year.


Absolutely I think changes will happen in the off season if this trend continues on Friday but I doubt that Monahan and Gaudreau will be those players that are moved.

I agree... But we aren't champions.. We have a bunch of millennials on our team..... Soft.., cry baby... Pieces of garbage..

[flames_fan13]

There was a big positive for me in the game though and that was the play of Valimaki and Andersson. Usually when two rookie defensemen are on the ice together in the playoffs the play can be nervous to watch, but with those two it was the opposite. There play seemed to inspire confidence. The future on the back end is bright considering their play. Valimaki doesn't seem to panic when he has the puck no matter the pressure.

[Manhattanboy]

Backlund oh so close. The goat taking the penalty then missing an open net in OT.

Feel bad for the guy.

Smith. What a warrior.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by zamler

Johnny Gaudreau our top forward in title only in reality he's one of the worst players on the team. Playoffs of course.

Emotions are gonna be high for some, so some comments are just gonna be overtop.

The issue with Johnny is that with his size and lack of toughness, he won't be able to do it all on his own when teams lock down on him physically. He doesn't have a player that can take heat off of him since they're not a threat themselves. That's the biggest issue right now.

Johnny need another impact player to compliment him. This is where a true #1 C would pay dividends. If Avs had to fear both Johnny, and another player on the same line that can make things happen themselves, then Johnny and the Flames would most likely be having a different series.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Spinach

It is eerily reminiscent of the 2007 series between the Flames and the Wings. If not for Kipper's brilliance, that one wouldn't have lasted 3 games let alone 6.

The Flames could just as easily have been swept just like the Lightning. They were fortunate in game 1 to get the goaltending they did from Mike Smith who is the only reason why this isn’t series isn’t a complete laugher. This is a joke. This organization looks like a joke right now and sadly Treliving will have tons of fingers pointing at him again despite such an amazing regular season.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SuperMatt18]

I love the guy but in retrospect Sam Bennett not becoming the true elite top line center we thought we were getting at four really hurts.

Probably even more this series when you watch guys like Rantanen and Mackinnon dominate.

I really hope they give him an extended look back at centre next season in a top 6 role with better wingers than Brower and Versteeg like he had in his last run at centre.

[N-E-B]

Words can’t express my disappointment.

Gaudreau, Monahan, Neal, Backlund, Brodie, Hanifin, and Jankowski have been unbelievably awful. Terrible terrible terrible. Absolutely gutless. What is Johnny afraid of?

Shout out to Hamonic, Smith, Mangiapane, Hathaway, Bennett, and Gio. Only guys I think who showed up to play this year.

I don’t know where to go from here but I’m fairly confident this core won’t win in the playoffs. We need a heart transplant.

I am throwing my Neal jersey in the garbage and buying a Giordano jersey instead. It’s to the point where it’s embarrassing to wear his jersey.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Most championship teams get taught a playoff lesson or two before winning.

It sucks to lose like this but maybe it’s a stepping stone.

Blowing up a 107 point team is never the answer.

Wow the eternal optimist haha. Good for you.

You'd think both Monahan and Gaudreau would take strides forward in the playoffs after 3 short runs and in the league in general for what? 5 years?

They are now 1 - 9 on the road in playoff games, and seem to be regressing. Gaudreau is completely ineffective in tight checking fast paced hockey. Now I agree with the poster that stated a large part of that is playing with an anchor in Monahan but you can't deny the soft and timid style of play. He looks scared out there. Thats not growing pains, thats not being able to handle the intensity.