I think that was more Roy being positive like he usually is. They didn't play anywhere near as bad as those two recent losses, but they made some sloppy plays as well, especially in the first. They were on the verge of breaking down on a lot of plays because of small mistakes with the puck especially, but were getting lucky on bounces until the end. I think it was also because Columbus doesn't have a lot of poise with the puck, because they're so focused on playing this gritty style with gritty players.
Zadorov's gap was pretty bad all night unfortunately. I hope they get some practice time in because he really needs to run some drills at NHL pace. He just gets away with it because his reach is so long, and he skates well, but he nearly got beat on a lot of plays.
I think he looks nervous out there. He's scared to make a mistake. Kinda like the last few games before he was sent down earlier in the year. Beauch or EJ or someone just needs to pull him aside and tell him not to worry. Get him to think about something other than making mistakes, so he can just go out and play his game. I think he's capable of getting it figured out during this stint, he just needs to settle down a bit. That will let him be decisive and react quicker.
I think Zadorov was fine after the first period, which he really struggled with. He had a rough shift at the end of the second, and his last in the third prior to the goal, but other than that, he really calmed down. He was on for 12 shot attempts against in the first period but was only out there for 8 in the last two. I don't really agree that his gap control was bad all night. It was on the first goal, but I think he was trying to go for a change and got caught too long, which was why he was on the right side.
They showed Beauchemin talking to him after his turnover during the 4 on 4, so he's trying to help. You're right, though. I don't think the two young guys have gotten an actual practice in that's not a morning skate. That might help. He does look a little nervous, but he's been good tracking his guy in the defensive zone, and not getting beat one on one. His decision making has been an issue. Right before his turnover on the 4 on 4, he played the odd man rush perfectly and broke it up, only to have that happen after. He's 20, he's still going to make mistakes, I just would like to see Roy let him work through them. He got some pretty tough minutes playing with Beauchemin tonight, so he's not exactly getting sheltered.
I really don't think the Avs were that sloppy at all after the first. The first was bad, but they were definitely the better team the last two periods, and I don't even think it was close in the second period. They only gave up 23 shot attempts through the last two periods at even strength, compared to 18 in the first. I'm pretty happy with the way the team has played defensively the last two, but Winnipeg on Monday will be a much bigger challenge.
Mitchell and Comeau have been frustrating the last two games. A lot of holding onto the puck and not doing anything with it.