I mean they were a lot more competitive this game, they had more puck possession and scoring chances though I thought the avs had more high scoring chances despite the shot totals but the ice wasn't nearly as tilted as the previous games. Grubaur should get a ton of credit for making the game a lot easier than it would've been.
Can anyone honestly say Girard's performance has been good in these playoffs or even in the games before he got hurt. There is a world of difference between him and Makar and it boggles my mind that people were trying to equate the two's importance to this team. He gave up several Neutral Zone turnovers and had one that led to a high quality scoring chance. He keeps not being able to keep the puck in the offensive zone. I don't know why they use him as some kind of offensive dynamo defensemen when he really doesn't have that much offensive skill, whenever he shoots the puck it's just an easy grab for the goalie that allows the other to team to get relief from all the av's pressure. He was able to pick up an assist though when the blues player fell down by himself and get the puck to Landeskog.
Gotta give credit to Graves, the goal was just by chance by he capitalized on it. When he gets it on the net at least his shot is good enough to get a rebound and not be an easy grab for the goalie, so he should to get it on net more instead of trying to snipe corners. Didn't notice him on defense too much which is a good thing. Nemeth also had a very strong game and actually brings some much needed physical play to give the blues a little push back. Still would like to see Timmins out there more though, I think he is probably our 2nd best defensemen at running offense from the blue line. Makar is obviously more dynamic but Timmins has really good iq to make the right plays to run the offense from there. He was able to take some hits without problems which is good.
I don't know why the love affair with Compher, he played 2 and a half more minutes than Jost and didn't really do anything other than the ENG maybe that's why Bednar has him out there in for his pool skills. The 2nd line didn't really get any offense going all night as expected, Burakovsky was able to pick up a point finally when he was playing with Saad. Jost's line should have got a lot more play, really neat chip shot from on the goal to flip it over Binnington. Most guys would have probably just shot it straight into him. Saad really solid again, I don't know why people said he lacked defense.
Newhook has been gaining more and more confidence. Why is Bednar so reluctant to give his young players a bigger role, it really is a waste to have him play on the 4th line. Unless you're somebody the organization made a big investment in like a top 5 pick or a prized prospect you got in a trade. You're basically relegated to marginal roles. I remember even during the 48 point season, Bednar refused to give his younger players much opportunity so they can at least get some development out of that season and kept playing his soon to be out of the league vets. He even said something like he'd like to get the young players in there more but couldn't take their side over the vets.
