travel_dude

The low percentage shots were either blocked or missed the net. Poor shot selection. Let's face it, Otter is like most goalies in the playoffs; good against low shots. Unless you get a one-timer from the slot, he's not giving away the lower part of the net. I can't say he's got a good glove or blocker because there was little of that. A muffin to the mid glove area isn't challenging. Not from 40 feet. The called back goal was a perfect example of what Tkachuk doesn't need to do. We are not in the zone yet, and he's fiddling with Klingberg. Gaudreau enters the zone with speed and it's offside. Not even close. Hard to say if Otter heard the whistle or not. Regardless, the shot was top corner.

The lanes were blocked out, so there were only clogged lanes available. Either a layer of players available to block the shot or a clear shot with no traffic. JH was pointing out the placement of the shot was too low for the velocity, I think. Toffoli had pushed off the crowd and was clear in the high slot. No pass went his way, just a muffin on the net. We don't have elite shooters on the backend, so I'm not expecting the perfect shot. But there was almost nothing from the 3rd pairing in that respect. We also had very little activation from the D. The odd time, they would come in low. Very seldom. Hanifin's play on the EN showed a very conservative play where you already risked the open net. 6 guys out there and you play like there is no C backing you up. Kylington would have gambled and I would have been happy with whatever result was there. Same with Ras. The odd man rushes really got to me. We go from a team that sometimes over passes to a team that just shoots. Pretty easy to defend when you only have to worry about the shooter. Tanev, Backlund, Toffoli are just three that did the exact same thing. End of rant, but the only way to resolve this is to switch up the middle 6. Tkachuk has to get more in the slot and stop just being on the boards. Gaudreau needs to step in a little and take a shot. The middle six is all messed up. Jarnkrok is our 2nd best C. Backlund is paired with two offensive weapons but only passes to them when they are covered.

I think we fell for the oldest trick in the book. Put out some statements from a player and the coach and get them thinking about it. There really wasn't anything in the first game that resembled the Doubty or Kassian stuff, so no reason to focus on that stuff. I don't know that Sutter was as upset with the game as the fans. He's still saying the sane thing. Get to the middle, that's where you score. Win or lose one goal games. Didn't like 4v4.

I don't know that Kyler is the problem. Defense - Stone is a RD and messes with the pairs. Kyler is a better defense for sticking to a player, or else you have Robertson or Hintz breaking out of coverage and sniping it. Offense - I didn't like the decisions of Kyler or Hanifin with shot placement. That was obvious from JH and Toffee's reactions on the ice. The team has one EV goal scored with the goalie in. The EN goal was a total misread by Hanifin. 2 other left D-men don't let that get past them. He played as if there was a goalie behind him and it was just a PP. You want to score a goal? Get to the middle. It doesn't matter if a bomb comes from the point, if there is not F in the slot. It was a sleepy game, but did Tkachuk get in the crease area much? I don't recall him being there.

You are hearby banned. LOL. Lou thinks you shouldn't have washed the jersey.

We have beaten both NAS and DAL, so it's not really a question of matchups. ALl teams are going to be tough up the middle. Just in different ways. Dallas clogs up the neutral zone. One of the details missing tonight was winning draws. We were good on getting to the puck, but lost way too many draws. Lewis 27% Backlund 42% Lindholm 44% Jarnkrok 53%

Let Dallas be concerned with matchups in game 3 and 4. The 4 on 4 was disruptive for Sutter. Couldn't get the trios out he wanted when we needed it. The Tanev rush was a waste, but typical of every odd man rush we had. We never use the other guys involved. In every case the shot was low pads. Zero chance you score like that. Backlund, on the goalie with the top corner open. Tanev with finishers and no pass. Toffoli with Mange and no pass. It was a good shot, but same location. I'm not going to analyse to death the game because we lost the same way we won. One play in the first period. In our case, Hanifin made a panicked play with no reason to doubt he would make a simple pass. But, FFS, do something about the lines. They are not perfect. The middle six isn't about to pick up the slack unless Dube starts feeling it. Even Dube et al are just cycling the puck without anyone in front. He seems to be heading in on LW instead of RW or center.

This says it all....

You me both. Backlund should never be mentioned in the same breath as offense. Ruined the mojo of two players.

I wasn't going to mention this in game, but we haven't won a game 2 since 2004.

Really the game came down to one poor play and one deft deflection. The rest was mostly crap.

Yes, been saying that for ages. Considering that the middle six is as cold as ice, time to mix it up.

Nothing wrong with the player, just isn't deployed right. It's been evident for a month at least. I blame this on Snowbear.

Nice play Hanifin.

Time out perhaps.

Nothing like waiting to the end. Really, the Lucic line when you need a goal? Sutter. Oh, well. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Bad pass Johnny.

Last minute comeback? Or last second?

NAS and Preds going to OT, so I guess I get to watch that game.

Everytime they drum up some stupid narrative, we play the game like we are thinking about it. Need to take away the laptop from Francis.

At least double shift Gaudreau or change up the lines. Who is not getting any shots. Shutout for Ottenger coming up.

Backlund is pityful on the dot tonight. 35%.

My bad, Hanifin got one in, but deflected away.

At least we are getting shots. Hanifin missing the net by a mile twice.

Yes, in that chance hecould have gone around and been on the forehand. The blind pass doesn;t work when you don;t get in the dirty areas.