Chicago's defense was relatively small during their cup runs. They may have an edge slightly in height over the Avs, but a lot of their defensemen were in the 190-200 lbs. range. Graves and Nemeth are larger than the Hawks biggest defenseman during that period of time (Seabrook). I am not arguing that you are not right and that the Avs do need to adjust the size on its blue line, but just pointing that out.
I watched Montreal last night and the Habs were seemingly able to battle more effectively than the Avs did over the last few games of the series, even with some of Montreal's smaller players.
I think that the Avs need to acquire some more size and grit in its overall lineup, but more seemed to be going on with the Avs.
Hammer Seabrook and Keith are not easy guys to play against. Don't remember all of the lower pairing guys but those 3 anchored the Chicago D. Not only size but how they play the game.
You hit Keith up high and he'll skate half the ice and throw a leaping elbow at a Sedin. And he's their skill guy on the blueline.
If you take the puck into the corners against the Avs defenders you don't even need to be wearing shoulder pads. The guy most likely to hit you is Nemeth. And that's only if you stand still for the full 5 seconds it takes Nemeth to realize you have the puck and to catch you.
Graves in his first few games was extremely effective and physical and aggressive. Perfect bottom pair guy. Whether its Bednar or the defensive coach they don't want these guys playing physical.
Same thing with our forwards on the forecheck. For 4 games they didn't lay a single hit on the Vegas defense. Then suddenly in game 5 they started playing much more aggressively and they stopped getting blown out in the fancy stats and on the scoreboard. Even little Sammy threw a hit on Pie and forced a turnover.
Heavy physical hockey isn't just a playoffs thing. Vegas tied the Avs for points. The Islanders and Bruins are near the tops each season. It works when you have the skill to back it up.
That's why the Avs look so much better when guys like Calvert and EJ are in the lineup. That physical presence and energy they bring infects the whole roster and helps set the tone each game.
St Louis has lots of hitters but Landy set the tone early in the first two games and the Avs didn't get pushed around much.
As much as the Avs need a big guy who can actually play they need an attitude adjustment. Byram has that snarl to his game but he's a rookie coming into a pretty established locker room. Its up to the leaders MacK and Landeskog to lead by example and play with a more responsible game into of practicing their pouty faces.
