GDT: Game XX: Avs @ Les Habitants: Just Win, S'il Vous Plaît (7pm ET / 5pm MT)

[ASmileyFace]

If Bednar goes with JoJo I will probably have to take a break from the Avs for a bit. Just for my mental sanity

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

With the way that Annunen plays, the fact that Montreal has been struggling quite a bit, and the general defensive structure found at the NHL level it's not hard to believe he can play solidly/average. He has a higher ceiling than when JoJo is in net because he has a better overall mental game that can handle the NHL speed better. How much better is to be determined but Annunen has a real shot here to run with the starting position for awhile. We could have an Annunen/Francouz tandem while Kuemper deals with whatever he has going on.

 

[The Abusement Park]

With the way that Annunen plays, the fact that Montreal has been struggling quite a bit, and the general defensive structure found at the NHL level it's not hard to believe he can play solidly/average. He has a higher ceiling than when JoJo is in net because he has a better overall mental game that can handle the NHL speed better. How much better is to be determined but Annunen has a real shot here to run with the starting position for awhile. We could have an Annunen/Francouz tandem while Kuemper deals with whatever he has going on.

What do you think Annunen can turn into? I've always thought backup, maybe fringe starter type guy? But I certainly see no reason not to play him tonight.

 

[dahrougem2]

Mike Johnson on NHL Network Radio said there's no way he goes back to Johansson if he's coach. Said he wouldn't care about ruining his confidence because he's not in the plans for this organization given Kuemper/Francouz are 1-2. You have to change it up after last night's performance.

It's nice to see even the mainstream media acknowledging last night, while still showing Toronto as better, wasn't 100% accurate. Said you can't take anything from that game because Johansson was in goal.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Mike Johnson on NHL Network Radio said there's no way he goes back to Johansson if he's coach. Said he wouldn't care about ruining his confidence because he's not in the plans for this organization given Kuemper/Francouz are 1-2. You have to change it up after last night's performance.

It's nice to see even the mainstream media acknowledging last night, while still showing Toronto as better, wasn't 100% accurate. Said you can't take anything from that game because Johansson was in goal.

I mean even below league average goaltending would've kept us in the game.

 

[dahrougem2]

I mean even below league average goaltending would've kept us in the game. I mean we

Of course. He also said it's amazing that the Avs have the record they do while having the 31st ranked 5v5 Sv%.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Of course. He also said it's amazing that the Avs have the record they do while having the 31st ranked 5v5 Sv%.

I'm just emphasizing your point.

 

[jabubenice]

so official confirm, WE ARE NOT IDIOTS jus waffling... it has been communicated to cale to shoot more and not defer to the big boys ...

MacKinnon tabs Makar as best D in NHL; Bednar says 30 goals possible

 

[ASmileyFace]

Of course. He also said it's amazing that the Avs have the record they do while having the 31st ranked 5v5 Sv%.

As bad as the team's defense has been this season, their goaltending is killing them nearly every night. Is it really to much to ask for a greater than .900 save percentage most nights?

 

[dahrougem2]

As bad as the team's defense has been this season, their goaltending is killing them nearly every night. Is it really to much to ask for a greater than .900 save percentage most nights?

I think they go hand in hand, though. Last night is a perfect example. Awful game by Johansson, but again:

1st goal is basically a breakaway
3rd goal a man all alone in front with nothing but time
5th goal a man all alone in front with at least 3 whacks at the puck before someone even touches him
6th goal a man beats our man to the front of the net for a point blank chance

Our goaltending is letting us down, but our defensive coverage has been horrendous. Bednar has harped on it all season long and it doesn't seem to be improving. Sure, against the bad teams we look like world beaters but against competent teams we struggle tremendously.

 

[Muffin]

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t start Annunen anyways, it’s not like he’s a CHL goalie just starting to play with men, he’s played against men in the Finnish league for years.

 

[JWK]

No matter what, I'm just here for the overreactions

 

[Pokecheque]

With the way that Annunen plays, the fact that Montreal has been struggling quite a bit, and the general defensive structure found at the NHL level it's not hard to believe he can play solidly/average. He has a higher ceiling than when JoJo is in net because he has a better overall mental game that can handle the NHL speed better. How much better is to be determined but Annunen has a real shot here to run with the starting position for awhile. We could have an Annunen/Francouz tandem while Kuemper deals with whatever he has going on.

A look at Jonas Johansson’s ceiling

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

As bad as the team's defense has been this season, their goaltending is killing them nearly every night. Is it really to much to ask for a greater than .900 save percentage most nights?

The teams defense hasn't even been bad.

We're like 2nd in the league for xGA behind only Boston IIRC.


We should be allowing like 2.5 goals per game but thanks to our goaltending it's more like 3.5

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t start Annunen anyways, it’s not like he’s a CHL goalie just starting to play with men, he’s played against men in the Finnish league for years.

And he had a very good November for the Eagles. Was named goalie of the month in the AHL.


I think he's done enough to earn an opportunity given the circumstances for sure.

 

[henchman21]

The teams defense hasn't even been bad.

We're like 2nd in the league for xGA behind only Boston IIRC.


We should be allowing like 2.5 goals per game but thanks to our goaltending it's more like 3.5

Statistically, the Avs have one of the best defenses in the game. The issue with the Avs defense is when they break down, they do it in the worst possible ways. But that is why you need goalies who can bail you out from time to time. Kuemper has shown that in spurts, but not consistently.

 

[TanguaySauce]

Theodore was a competent goalie?

Compared to what we have in net now, he's Ken freakin Dryden

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Statistically, the Avs have one of the best defenses in the game. The issue with the Avs defense is when they break down, they do it in the worst possible ways. But that is why you need goalies who can bail you out from time to time. Kuemper has shown that in spurts, but not consistently.

Yeah pretty much.

The role of an Avs goalie isn't a tough one. Lots of easy routine saves, but occasionally they are called upon to make an important save or two inside a game and so far this year the Avs haven't been getting that on a consistent basis.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[The Merchant]

Can't wait to see what decision Sakic made for Bednar. Maybe one day he'll go poopoo and peepee and wipe all on his own like a big boy

 

[Muffin]

They flying Francouz in or something? They figured playing the Habs is like an AHL team anyways.

 

[ASmileyFace]

Here's your conditioning stint of 36 hours after god knows how long off. Good luck Frankie!

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

They flying Francouz in or something? They figured playing the Habs is like an AHL team anyways.

This is what I am thinking.


Its the only other thing that makes sense to me if Annunen wont start. Either that or Kuemper is good to go.


It really shouldn't be Johansson.

 

[Ararana]

Here's your conditioning stint of 36 hours after god knows how long off. Good luck Frankie!

The Eagles tweeted photos of Frankie at practice this morning. Can they even get him to Montreal that fast? Let alone the jet lag that guy will be feeling to jump straight onto the ice.

 

[Raucherhusten]

Can't wait to see what decision Sakic made for Bednar. Maybe one day he'll go poopoo and peepee and wipe all on his own like a big boy

Why is it so hard to understand that when it comes to prospects it's not always up to the coaches if they play or not.
The management (Sakic) has to green light it as well. And there are reasons why they, sometimes, hesitate.