GDT: WCQF - Game #2 Avs host Preds @ 7:30 p.m. MT | on TNT, SN360, SNE, TVAS, ALT, BSSO
- Thread starter Ginger Papa
- Start date
Yup I was one of Mansons bigger critics during the regular season I think but very happy to say his first 2 games in the playoffs have been complete night and day difference.
I also think its very accurate that he and Girard as a pairing are starting to play off each other and understand each others game quite a bit better. IMO part of Mansons problem in the regular season was that he felt obligated to do more with the puck because of the way the Avs use our Dmen to lead rushes and breakouts, and jump into plays as much as we do. That's just not his game at all and I think him trying to play into that was causing mistakes and turnovers and bad reads on his part.
But you can see in the playoffs he's not doing that. For breakouts and transitions he is deferring to Girard way more frequently and allowing Girard to do what he does best, while creating that extra step of space for Girard as well. And on the flip side, Manson is at his best along the boards and in those board battles and him winning those battles means Girard isn't having to get involved in them as much either which bodes well for him given his size. That pairing is starting to develop some solid chemistry which bodes well for us going forward.
I also agree that Byram is starting to look more comfortable with the physicality of the playoffs as well. I think he and EJ could both be playing a few more minutes then they did in game 2. Mind you I think some of why Bo's minutes were lower was because he isn't playing the PP or the PK right now, he's the only guy on that Defensive unit that's playing strictly 5 on 5.
I actually think it'd be a decent idea to move Toews off of PP-2 and give Byram those minutes. That would keep Toews a little bit fresher and I think Byram will be more mobile then Toews on that unit.
I also think its very accurate that he and Girard as a pairing are starting to play off each other and understand each others game quite a bit better. IMO part of Mansons problem in the regular season was that he felt obligated to do more with the puck because of the way the Avs use our Dmen to lead rushes and breakouts, and jump into plays as much as we do. That's just not his game at all and I think him trying to play into that was causing mistakes and turnovers and bad reads on his part.
But you can see in the playoffs he's not doing that. For breakouts and transitions he is deferring to Girard way more frequently and allowing Girard to do what he does best, while creating that extra step of space for Girard as well. And on the flip side, Manson is at his best along the boards and in those board battles and him winning those battles means Girard isn't having to get involved in them as much either which bodes well for him given his size. That pairing is starting to develop some solid chemistry which bodes well for us going forward.
I also agree that Byram is starting to look more comfortable with the physicality of the playoffs as well. I think he and EJ could both be playing a few more minutes then they did in game 2. Mind you I think some of why Bo's minutes were lower was because he isn't playing the PP or the PK right now, he's the only guy on that Defensive unit that's playing strictly 5 on 5.
I actually think it'd be a decent idea to move Toews off of PP-2 and give Byram those minutes. That would keep Toews a little bit fresher and I think Byram will be more mobile then Toews on that unit.
Ararana
Registered User
I think Sturm was a bit happy with that OT goal lol
Bender
Registered User
- Sep 25, 2002
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Grubauer would not have made that pad save on Carrier and the Avs would have lost.
Hell no. Burakovsky isn't perfect but he's working his butt off on the 3rd line and he's also using his speed to skate the puck out of the defensive zone at the very least. He's backchecking and playing his guts out. Sure, he'll make the odd mistake and so will a bunch of different players but the leash with guys like Burakovsky and Girard is short with some fans on here - basically whenever they make a bad play it gets amplified to the point where nothing else they do correctly matters.
Absolutely this. That's what I'd do as well.
Freaky Styley
Registered User
If Cogs isn't good to go I'd like to see Newhook get a chance too. Also Byram needs to be given more minutes. He looked as good as he has since being back, starting to regain his early season form - which is bad news for opponents
I’m ok with Byram’s usage. He looks more confident and could easily handle more minutes, but he still hasn’t played a lot of hockey this year.
Much rather he play 3rd pairing minutes, make it out of the postseason healthy and give him a full off-season to train and prepare for a bigger role next season.
Ararana
Registered User
I'll never forgive Kadri for not elevating the puck on that golden chance Byram dropped on him
I actually like what the coaching staff is doing with Byram. He's 20 years old with only 61 NHL games under his belt. Seems to me that they're letting him absorb playoff minutes while mostly sheltering him. I'm fine with this treatment throughout this years playoffs assuming everyone is healthy.
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The Kingslayer
Registered User
Cale already smeshed thats why
Sturm looking towards the heavens and screaming "Warrrrrior!!!"
SoundwaveIsCharisma
Moderator
I don't mind limiting Byram's minutes at even strength, I do think they should give him some PP time though.
The Kingslayer
Registered User
Yah PP2 just aint doing much right now. I dont think Bednar is going to remove Girard. What should happen is putting Newhook back in the lineup and into the bumper. After last night NAK can sit.
Spilot23
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- Dec 30, 2014
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Jost wouldn't have been that happy. We won the trade.
Nihiliste
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2010
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I’ve been critical of both many times but G and Bura have both played well.
Bura has been out there backchecking, hitting, blocking shots, engaging in the corners and making some entries. The complaint I’ve had with him at other times is that when he’s not streaking he’s useless but that hasn’t been the case thus far. And if we go deep, it’s pretty good money that at some point he’ll score some big goals.
G I always like except when he’s getting clowned in front of the net and in the corners like in Vegas last season. We’ll see how he does with the playoff attrition but so far he and Manson are balancing out their flaws well. I’ll never forget that G’s arrival is what totally changed our identity. I also think the team missed him a lot 5v5 when he was out earlier this season
Bura has been out there backchecking, hitting, blocking shots, engaging in the corners and making some entries. The complaint I’ve had with him at other times is that when he’s not streaking he’s useless but that hasn’t been the case thus far. And if we go deep, it’s pretty good money that at some point he’ll score some big goals.
G I always like except when he’s getting clowned in front of the net and in the corners like in Vegas last season. We’ll see how he does with the playoff attrition but so far he and Manson are balancing out their flaws well. I’ll never forget that G’s arrival is what totally changed our identity. I also think the team missed him a lot 5v5 when he was out earlier this season
Spilot23
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- Dec 30, 2014
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I know we've been winning so far but I would love to get the top line and the Nuke-Kadri-Bura lines back together well it will probably happen if we're in trouble in game 3-4. Also would love to have Newhook over NAK. I know the latter has been more physical but boy I'm legit scared when I see Bura-Compher-NAK in their own zone it sometimes looks like the puck will never get out. I've noticed that NAK keeps the puck too long in his own end which creates more turnovers. I think having fast skilled guy like Newhook would allow more space for Burakovsky who can't find lanes to shoot right now. As I said previously Compher has been very good so far and this is coming from someone that kept shi***** on him through the season
I actually agree about advanced stats, but damnit I saw an opportunity to use a meme and I damn well took it.
Also I think G is getting waaaay too much hate around here.
SoundwaveIsCharisma
Moderator
He's not playing bad, and he's not putting the Avs in bad positions (aside from the goal against last night). It's similar to Rantanen, most of my issues with both of them is that I've seen them both do more and we need that as the playoffs go on.
SaltySkywalker
Bushes of Love
There's a good chance not everyone is going to be firing all at the same time though. Gotta be happy we have the depth to overcome some struggling while the rest thrive.
GoNordiquesGo
Registered User
A boneheaded decision would have been to pinch in a situaton where youwill clearly not be there on time. G pinched in a situation where he was totally on time. He just missed to intercept. It was poorly executed but the decision was not boneheaded. I'll conceive that it was a tad agressive but we see that kind of pass interception very often and its fine... as long as you don't miss...
Lauraskee's love for Cole seem rational with how hard Girard is being defended around here. Can you imagine if Zadorov or Burakovsky were to perform like that, well no need to imagine just look back at some of the threads to see all the vitriol directed at them and that's with Burakovsky having a better season than Girard's ever had. I've even seen some pushing Byram to be traded so he doesn't threaten Girard's position on the team . But seriously replace Girard with Byram on pp2 already.
. But seriously replace Girard with Byram on pp2 already.
forsbergavs32
Global Moderator
I think the players I want to see more from are Rants and Kadri. Neither have been a factor in the series so far.
Richard88
John 3:16
- Jun 29, 2019
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I'll never forgive Kadri for not elevating the puck on that golden chance Byram dropped on him
I actually like what the coaching staff is doing with Byram. He's 20 years old with only 61 NHL games under his belt. Seems to me that they're letting him absorb playoff minutes while mostly sheltering him. I'm fine with this treatment throughout this years playoffs assuming everyone is healthy.
At some stage, as is the custom with this team, someone on the blueline will miss some games in the playoffs, at which point Byram will get more minutes. Just gotta keep him ticking along with 15 minutes a night until then (though I'd rather he get PP2 time as well as he's more dynamic that Toews and/or Girard).
Avsfan1921
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- Oct 5, 2019
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That’s my hope as well. If Mac and Makar slow, hopefully Rantanen and Bura can help offset on the offensive side of things.
Every player can’t be amazing every night but as long as no one’s costing them and they find a way, that’s all that matters to n the end.
Byram does need pp2 time, and offensively, Girard has been bad. But to say he’s been poor defensively is just wrong and certain posters trying to push a narrative. He’s taken the assignments given him and dealt with the physicality just fine. We can put a microscope on each shift and find a gaffe here and there, but guess what? Same for Makar, Toews and every other player on this roster.Lauraskee's love for Cole seem rational with how hard Girard is being defended around here. Can you imagine if Zadorov or Burakovsky were to perform like that, well no need to imagine just look back at some of the threads to see all the vitriol directed at them and that's with Burakovsky having a better season than Girard's ever had. I've even seen some pushing Byram to be traded so he doesn't threaten Girard's position on the team
There’s a serious herd mentality on this forum that when one person points to a bad play, everyone jumps on the bandwagon. It makes it hard to take seriously when a small mistake gets blown up over 5 pages even though a player has played fine overall. Why don’t we wait to freak out when it’s something relevant?
Yes, Girard deserves criticism for his attempted block las night, and he got it too. But every time he gets touched people freak out even though he fights through it and doesn’t cough it up. If he misses a pass, people freak out that he’s a hockey Pejorative Slur. If his shot gets blocked, people lose it…. These plays happen just as much to most players on this team without the drama and freak out.
That’s why people “defend” Girard, and would for any other player that get as unfairly scrutinized as he does. There may yet be games this playoffs where he deserves it, but that hasn’t happened yet in the slightest.
Except it's not just one "small" mistake, that goal changed the momentum of the game. Girard just doesn't have much to offer. His supporters will hype up his ability to move the puck out of the zone even though a key part of that is actually winning puck battles which he doesn't do, even his puck retrieval isn't too good cause his straight line speed is rather lacking for a smaller defensemen that relies on his skating and he has a tendency to giveaway the puck if somebody breathes on him. If he was talented like Rantanen then sure I can see why he'd have staunch defenders of his game and why we should overlook these things but simply put he's not, at this point I don't think he's even as talented as Kerfoot.
Every other player takes their licking on these boards when the play bad but Girard always gets a ton excuses by his supporters who actually push this herd mentality your speaking by deflecting criticism towards other players like Nemeth and Graves. Girard can make one competent play and suddenly his supporters will praise him by saying shit like he was our best player tonight, meanwhile Mackinnon will make a dozen good plays casually and get a couple of points and still get flak for a bad OT decision or some minor shit like that.
Every other player takes their licking on these boards when the play bad but Girard always gets a ton excuses by his supporters who actually push this herd mentality your speaking by deflecting criticism towards other players like Nemeth and Graves. Girard can make one competent play and suddenly his supporters will praise him by saying shit like he was our best player tonight, meanwhile Mackinnon will make a dozen good plays casually and get a couple of points and still get flak for a bad OT decision or some minor shit like that.
But G’s a f***ing hockey midget with a waffle shot and a piss missile clapper. His fancy spins ain’t fooling no one
Avsfan1921
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- Oct 5, 2019
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This whole post just…
You’re right in that, that particular play was not a small mistake and that’s why I said he was fairly criticized for that goal. It also did not change the momentum in the slightest, as you say. The Avs were dominant the whole frigging game and that happened early on. This is exactly what I’m talking about.
What other mistakes has he made in these last two games that were “not small”?
Where are all of these puck battles he lost? He’s lost more than any other player?
The defensive zone giveaways, that must be so glaring and frequent as to point it out that he does it every game? Is it more on average than the other defenseman out there?
And his puck retrieval is poor now??? This is clearly absolute bs. The least you coulda said was he can’t clear the front of the net or something… something that might hold one iota of truth and substance.
These “excuses” used by his “apologists” are brought up over and over because his size and poor play are brought up ad nauseam, are incorrect and should be refuted. Nothing more, nothing less. I’d do the same for any other player on our team. He’s a mid pairing defenceman in his current state, who has limitations defensively due to his size. Although his size has nothing to do with how he’s played in this playoffs (which has been just fine), and it certainly had nothing to do with his series costing goal against last night.
The herd mentality towards others like graves was real as well, but to use that as an excuse to justify the obtuse takes on Girard is childish at best.
Nemeth, however, did not suffer from this. He was a flat out bad hockey player for this team the last time he suited up, making shift to shift mistakes.
…Who is getting picked apart for not being able to handle the physicality, when in reality he’s dealt with it fine through these two playoff games. Offensively, he’s been poor, yes.
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