GDT: Avalanche vs Flames 7:00PM MST 03/12/24 (Non Emergency Edition GDT)

[BaconNater]

Crazy that a 2 point night for Mackinnon still leaves me wanting more. Dangit I want him to beat McDavid so bad this season. At the end of the day I hope he gets atleast one of the Hart or the Art Ross!

 

[Tralfamadore]

Nice to see they kept the ice time down for the top guys. Mack played under 18 minutes. His lowest all season.

 

[Miri]

Does Annunen come with subtitles?

Perkele!

 

[ABasin]

Anyone know if they're going to fly home after the Vancouver game or stay on the road until Saturday?

Big snowstorm hitting Denver tonight through Friday am.

 

[Cake Malar]

Annunen doing nothing to dispel the notion that goalies are voodoo. All I read on here this year from people who watched him play in the AHL was that he wasn’t even a good AHL starter. I’m sure he’ll come back to earth a little once teams get more tape on him, but can’t help but be encouraged by his play as of late.

 

[niwotsblessing]

JJ needs to be paired with a RHD who is more defensive. The Johnson and Johnson pair had its good moments.

JJ looked his best this year paired with Malinski.

 

[Muffin]

Weird Trenin decided to change his number after 1 game. RIP to all those who bought his #15 jersey

 

[Ceremony]

Weird Trenin decided to change his number after 1 game. RIP to all those who bought his #15 jersey

Rycroft said in commentary that he wanted that but they only had enough 3s and 7s to make Mittlestadt's jersey.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

2-0 with only 3 goals against since Bo left

 

[the_fan]

2-0 with only 3 goals against since Bo left

Between Bo not being happy for not getting top pair minutes, and RyJo’s lazy tactics, it’s easy to see why there was a destruction in the Avs locker room.

Val coming back also helps

 

[The Moops]

Weird Trenin decided to change his number after 1 game. RIP to all those who bought his #15 jersey

All 3 of us

 

[NateTheGreat]

Drouin is at his best when anticipating the actions of elite skaters and making cheat code passes to them. Right now, he is paired with another pass-first player, and a guy CMac got for the 4th line; having played literally only minutes with his line-mates; having never played with EITHER linemate until this week.

Furthermore, there is less than zero chance that Landy plays top 6 this year...if at all.

While Bednar is too stubborn to try it full-time, the best top 6 is:

Drouin - Mac - Nuke
Lehky - Mitts - Mikko

Each line has a facilitator, a sniper and a dirty work guy. I am not saying that Drouin is better than Mikko - not even better than Lehky. But this is placing assets where they can be most valuable on a team. Again, Landy is absolutely NOT playing 1LW in the playoffs. Do you understand what his injury is? They are literally regrowing cartilage. His physician says 12 to 18 months. Mid-May is 12. If he slips in the shower and screws up the cartilage, it is another 12 to 18 - meaning his career is functionally over.

Mac looks like he has a good shot at the Ross and Hart this year. His best production was with Drouin on his left. That is not a coincidence.

I wouldn’t count out Landy playing top 6 if he comes back, unless of course you have direct knowledge on the situation. Yes I’m aware of his injury, but if he returns that tells me they’re confident in his knee holding up. They wouldn’t risk it otherwise.

I maintain that I’d prefer Drouin not be in the top 6 come playoff time. JD operates well when he has time and space to make a play and yes having Mackinnon as an elite skater helps create that space, there will be a lot less of it come playoff time.

Also, Mackinnon’s best production comes with Rants and one of Nuke/Lehky on his line at 5v5.

I can see your argument for JD to play top line in order to balance out the scoring but my whole point was that IF Landy’s able to play in playoffs, ideally your wingers in the top 6 are himself, Rants, Nuke and Lehky.

If Landeskog doesn’t come back or can’t play top 6 for whatever reason, then yes Drouin will be in the top 6 by virtue of having no other option.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I hope we are actually able to get Mitts some steady linemates at some point, haha.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

I hope we are actually able to get Mitts some steady linemates at some point, haha.

Lehkonen being ill is just bad timing haha, though I didn't hate Duhaime there

 

[Spirits]

All 3 of us

Collectors item!

 

[John Mandalorian]

The confidence level in Annunen continues to increase.

It would be nice to see him against a stronger team before jumping to conclusions but it’s hard not to be a little impressed and/or optimistic.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

The confidence level in Annunen continues to increase.

It would be nice to see him against a stronger team before jumping to conclusions but it’s hard not to be a little impressed and/or optimistic.

Not tonight obviously being a B2B but I agree. It is time to give him a tougher team to see how he handles it.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Even worse. An offside in the first period of game 1.

Which wasn't an offside. Oilers fans still don't understand that Makar's goal was onside.

 

[Miri]

I wouldn’t count out Landy playing top 6 if he comes back, unless of course you have direct knowledge on the situation. Yes I’m aware of his injury, but if he returns that tells me they’re confident in his knee holding up. They wouldn’t risk it otherwise.

I maintain that I’d prefer Drouin not be in the top 6 come playoff time. JD operates well when he has time and space to make a play and yes having Mackinnon as an elite skater helps create that space, there will be a lot less of it come playoff time.

Also, Mackinnon’s best production comes with Rants and one of Nuke/Lehky on his line at 5v5.

I can see your argument for JD to play top line in order to balance out the scoring but my whole point was that IF Landy’s able to play in playoffs, ideally your wingers in the top 6 are himself, Rants, Nuke and Lehky.

If Landeskog doesn’t come back or can’t play top 6 for whatever reason, then yes Drouin will be in the top 6 by virtue of having no other option.

Yeah, i think if Landy comes back for playoffs and will prove to be good enough to play on top-six, it will be him, who will do so, as he is superior player. Whether Drouin will be bumped to bottom six then, or it will be Lehkonen (as he might be more useful in such role than Drouin, being grittier), is anyone´s guess. I would not even be surprised to see Drouin end up healthy scratch in playoffs, if Landy returns.

 

[GeoRox89]

Big snowstorm hitting Denver tonight through Friday am.

Meanwhile, the annual false spring is rolling into southern BC. Would make sense for the team to just have fun in Van, go practice at UBC tomorrow and fly out late Friday

 

[AvBuff]

I'm really liking Duhaime's game so far - physical, scrappy and he can skate. Not just some palooka running around trying to intimidate people. The "Anti-Derm" if you will.

So far, a sneaky-good pick-up by CMac.

 

[Pokecheque]

I'm really liking Duhaime's game so far - physical, scrappy and he can skate. Not just some palooka running around trying to intimidate people. The "Anti-Derm" if you will.

So far, a sneaky-good pick-up by CMac.

Yes, I've always asked that if the Avs want to get a tough guy, just please get a tough guy who can play, or SKATE at the very least.

I certainly didn't like him when he played for the Wylde but he's winning me over pretty quick.

 

[Avs9296]

Guys, just how good is Valeri Ivanovich Nichushkin though?

What a player my goodness.

 

[AvBuff]

Guys, just how good is Valeri Ivanovich Nichushkin though?

What a player my goodness.

He is one rested, angry, talented - and sober - Russian. Dude might be the most underrated player in the NHL.

 

[Miri]

Guys, just how good is Valeri Ivanovich Nichushkin though?

What a player my goodness.

I would say he pretty much achieved Landeskog levels of quality.