LT
Global Moderator
- Jul 23, 2010
- 41,764
- 13,300
You notice how every team right around the Stars has shown they're capable of a good surge late in the game. Minnesota just did it to the Jets, Yotes last win was come from behind, Hawks just did it to the Ducks and even the Canucks did it to the Avs tonight. Does anyone who follows the Stars believe this team is capable of a late 3rd period push to salvage or even steal a game? I know that I don't believe they can do it. They've had nothing late in games, no push back, it's always hang on mode in the 3rd. It's pathetic to watch, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Stars don't even get back in to a playoff spot in the final 19 games. If they lose to the Kings they're in free fall mode IMO.
I hear ya KCB, it's like the playoff push has come and all other teams have shown an urgency in their play, a desperation that is generating points for them.
The Stars try to make a late push, the goalie comes out and it's automatically an empty netter. A lot of that is on Monty though. It's just sickening to watch other teams push and push and comeback and we know it's clearly something the Stars are incapable of.
Indeed, well said. Win those games and the Stars deserve to be in. Otherwise, they don’t. Simple as that.Stars still play the Avs twice at home Minny twice and the Hawks and the Canucks twice ( all three one home and one road ) . Those are the games where the playoffs will be decided
Something else that's frustrating, is Josh and Razor spend so much time talking about how the Stars rarely get on the powerplay, but if they're stuck in their own zone constantly and never applying consistent pressure offensively, of course they aren't going to see much PP time. Not to mention we almost never see odd man rushes. This teams goal when they hit the ice seems to be to only prevent the other team from scoring, dump it in, allow a clean exit by the opponent because of a pathetic forecheck, and then rinse and repeat. They don't seem to ever go out for a shift and be determined to score a goal unless they're down late in the 3rd and about to pull the goalie (and we know how that goes). It's always defense first and defense only. If they successfully get out of their own end and dump the puck in to get a line change, that's considered a successful shift under Monty nowadays. Very rarely do we see a pushback from the Stars. Occassionally we get lucky and see Hintz or Gurianov get a chance because of their speed or someone else take a shot from the blue line and force a faceoff (I'd say probably at least 70% of our shots are like this and not dangerous at all), or maybe a dman comes up and gets a good look. That's it.
There is no breakout, it's just dump the puck up the ice and chase it. It's a tactic that works decently in youth hockey, but is quickly shut down at any organized level.
That was the biggest difference when they went on that 5 game win streak . They were spending time in the opponents end and drawing penalty’s over and over . That was the only period during the season where they were having full minute shifts back to back in the other teams end . I think a big part of that was the lines being switched to benn-faksa-comeau , hintz/janmark -seguin -radulov but when comeau got hurt he switched up the lines and that’s when the winning streak turned into a losing streak . He had that line back together basically against Chicago but with Zuccarello in comeaus spot and we looked good again . But now of course benn and Zuccarello are injured so we might just be screwed .Something else that's frustrating, is Josh and Razor spend so much time talking about how the Stars rarely get on the powerplay, but if they're stuck in their own zone constantly and never applying consistent pressure offensively, of course they aren't going to see much PP time. Not to mention we almost never see odd man rushes. This teams goal when they hit the ice seems to be to only prevent the other team from scoring, dump it in, allow a clean exit by the opponent because of a pathetic forecheck, and then rinse and repeat. They don't seem to ever go out for a shift and be determined to score a goal unless they're down late in the 3rd and about to pull the goalie (and we know how that goes). It's always defense first and defense only. If they successfully get out of their own end and dump the puck in to get a line change, that's considered a successful shift under Monty nowadays. Very rarely do we see a pushback from the Stars. Occassionally we get lucky and see Hintz or Gurianov get a chance because of their speed or someone else take a shot from the blue line and force a faceoff (I'd say probably at least 70% of our shots are like this and not dangerous at all), or maybe a dman comes up and gets a good look. That's it.
I mean it depends who is on the ice . There is too much dump and chase i agree but there are breakouts when the personal that can handle it is one the ice. Sadly there aren't many of those players on the roster.
That was the biggest difference when they went on that 5 game win streak . They were spending time in the opponents end and drawing penalty’s over and over . That was the only period during the season where they were having full minute shifts back to back in the other teams end . I think a big part of that was the lines being switched to benn-faksa-comeau , hintz/janmark -seguin -radulov but when comeau got hurt he switched up the lines and that’s when the winning streak turned into a losing streak . He had that line back together basically against Chicago but with Zuccarello in comeaus spot and we looked good again . But now of course benn and Zuccarello are injured so we might just be screwed .
The Stars have certainly had their scoring surges. I expect perhaps one will eventually come near the end of the game. Hope so anyway.
Had to laugh when Razor mentioned the other night that they scored "the all important first goal" when its clear that its the entire 60 minutes that determins the outcome.
Overall, its either talent, desire or maybe conditioning (Knights had more rest) that keeps the Stars down when other teams rise in the later season games. Never forget the Gretsky story of going by the winners locker room and seeing how hurt they were and they still won. Stars still, after a decade, need to learn how to win enough in big games just to get to the post season. After that, they can start learning how to win playoff series. Sad, but true.
That’s a good point . They have looked like shit at home lately too though . They just don’t beileve in themselves . You could see when Zuccarello was playing how the team was playing with more confidence like they believed they were a good team now .I think a big part of it was having 4 of those 5 games be at home.
Stars are like 4-20-5 when the opponent scores first so it is important because if the Stars don't score first they don't win.
That’s a good point . They have looked like **** at home lately too though . They just don’t beileve in themselves . You could see when Zuccarello was playing how the team was playing with more confidence like they believed they were a good team now .
Yea a combination of that and the top players having a little bit of pressure taken off knowing that there’s another guy who can create offense.What, if anything, does it say when the guys play better to impress the new guy? Sort of like buying flowers for the wife because the guy next door does it, you can step up your game but won't unless someone shows you up?
Jim Nill was on with Bob and Dan today. He really said nothing special beyond making it clear how he blames injuries for a lot but still thinks this is a good team. When asked about why they aren't scoring, he rambled for 90 seconds about the defense and goaltending before saying Radulov was the only forward he can identify as having a breakout or All Star kind of season.