Some thoughts for tonight.
1. Hello depth. That was fun. Tonight was the entire team pulling together. Its always nice to kick in the sharks teeth and even nicer that it wasnt just the top line figuring in on the scoring. I know every line isnt going to figure in on the scoring every night but if every other line does every night we should be ok.
2. Burakovsky is so important. I wish Joe would have signed him to a longer deal because I think that guy is only beginning to really hit his stride. Hes made it a point to shoot more and its noticeable. Guy might have the second best shot off the rush on this team. The Avs had a question on the second line. The Answer is Burakovsky. It was great to see that line start developing some much needed chemistry. Props to both Kadri and Saad also who had strong games. Kadri got robbed in that bumper spot on the PP by Dubs and hit a crossbar in the first. Its goin to eventually come around if he continues to move his feet the way he was tonight.
3. I thought it would be hard to single someone out for playing a shitty game in a 7-3 blowout but Ryan Graves managed to do that. He got called out by his coach today and rightfully so. There is no room for error when you have other kids chomping at the bits to get some ice. Graves had an abysmal game which led to the scratch and he followed it up with an almost equally shit game. Whats he doing pinching up like that on that second sharks goal? There was no reason for it. This is the same shit Zadorov would do and get benched. I wouldnt be surprised if he got scratched next game.
4. Cale Makar had a quiet 3 assists tonight and is leading all dman in points...and I thought he was good Not great but good. . I thought he was fantastic with the puck but damn hes gotta be a little more engaged on the defensive side of the puck. I didnt like his lack of contact on that Donato goal but I loved his pass on Saads first goal. I didnt like his drop pass to Sherwood when he had a clear look at the net but I loved that he bodied another person in the neutral zone. Still plenty of room to improve but hes trending in the right direction these last 2-3 games.
5. Compher was shit for 55 minutes tonight and then he started being an asshole towards the sharks. Thats what he needs to do more of. Brendan Gallagher is a total asshole every game regardless of the score. Thats the kind of pestiness JTC needs to play with. He obviously needs to score some goals eventually but if you aint scoring you gotta be doing something. I liked that he was in the middle of these scrums.
6. Evander Kane, Devan Dubnyk both equal pieces of shit.
7. Bowen Byram leading the dman in ice time lol I legeit did not know he was playing so much until
@Avs_19 brought it up and by the time the game got out of reach they rested the big boys and played him a bunch more. His skating is so impressive. There was a shift where he turned the puck over a few times but I didnt notice another mistake after that. Maybe the Couture goal? Gotta watch that again but IIRC he was behind Couture on that goal. Either way 4 games in and hes doing stuff.
8. Mikko is red hot. Even if you take away the goals Mikko has been phenomenal. His skating, tenacity, hunting for pucks, board play has all been impressive. He mentioned health being one of the factors to his start post game. Makes you wonder what he might have been dealing with besides that one injury early in the season. A healthy Mikko a few years ago was a problem and thats exactly what he looks like again. Honestly, through 7 games I think hes been our best player and yes better than Nathan which is saying alot.
9. Strong game from Tyson Jost again. He is definitely skating alot better this season. Nice play on the button hook to find Girard breaking into the zone for the goal. Still wish he would use shorter stick but whatcha going to do.
10. The Avs have to keep this going into Thursday and start to get a little separation before Minnesota. Sharks undoubtedly will be hungry to avenge this loss so the Avs have to have their A game if they want to take anotther two. If the Avs play the way they did tonight that shouldnt be a problem.
