Always good to read your brilliant writing after a win Robert. I hope I don’t sound harsh as I’ve immensely enjoyed the playoff run so far and the team has shown so much resilience no doubt partly due to the older heads in the locker room. However I must say, when the team talks about wanting to win a Cup for guys like Benn and Duchene that really sticks with me watching them struggle these playoffs and wishing they would help themselves a bit more in that regard. I’m hoping for the Stars continued good fortunes, they get going soon as we will need them.
Thanks, Ben. I think you're far from alone in these sentiments. I will say Benn had a better game last night than the first two of the series, and Duchene did make a nice play to help win the faceoff before Hintz's goal. But yeah, both of them will need to come up bigger at some point, one would think.
First, hero for using that shot of Hellebuyck on his Helleback. I haven’t seen that as a thumbnail as often as I anticipated, but of course I could count on you.
Second, you guys keep reopening the old Edmonton wound! I can forgive you for it if you have a good memory and can tell me how this team’s different from that team. Maybe the answer is “it’s only the 2nd round and we’re not COMPLETELY worn down…” and also they’re not playing the zombie Oilers.
Editing to add a third: 100% of NHL player interviews use the word “yeah.” In fact, you could probably set a betting line at 2.5 “yeahs” per interview.
I really liked the one of Hellebuyck reaching back for the puck at the last moment, but it doesn't read as well as a thumbnail. And yes, we have to keep mentioning the Oilers every time they get to 2-1 until they get to 3-1. It's the rules.
I almost wish Marchment got suspended for this tap. It might just be me being a doomer but I feel like that 2nd line has been completely useless at 5v5 for the vast majority of the playoffs. They're juts not getting any dangerous chances on net and every rush seems to peter out in the corner.
Good catch about Robertson being "demoted" to the fourth line. I viewed it as a way to continue letting him play the solid defensive game he always plays, while taking some of the scoring pressure off of him...no to mention getting him on the ice with Rantanen. And why wouldn't you move Dadonov up...that dude is nails no matter where he is in the lineup.
Yeah, I should've elucidated there. He's making sure his blade is available for a quick pass or tip play. "Keep your stick on the ice" is a common coaching mandate in youth hockey.
I still think that puck hit a stick 😁. In his postgame Petro said he thought it came off the defender’s stick, and there’s no way the player in question will ever divulge that! It does seem strange that a barely perceptible kick to gather the puck would result in it being propelled into the blue paint, but pucks do strange things. Which is why it’s still incredible to me that players can do what Rantanen does!
I agree. I don't think there's any way the puck gets from Petrovic's skate to Hellebuyck's stick at the goal mouth without contacting something else, and it sure looks like the defender is swinging at the puck right after the kick.
Great write-up! Especially enjoyed your "conclusion" to Petro's goal, and your analysis/exposition of Granlund's play to create Harley's goal. Thank you for the fun and insightful reads! Hopefully we'll get a strong win with many more great plays tonight for you to write about
Always good to read your brilliant writing after a win Robert. I hope I don’t sound harsh as I’ve immensely enjoyed the playoff run so far and the team has shown so much resilience no doubt partly due to the older heads in the locker room. However I must say, when the team talks about wanting to win a Cup for guys like Benn and Duchene that really sticks with me watching them struggle these playoffs and wishing they would help themselves a bit more in that regard. I’m hoping for the Stars continued good fortunes, they get going soon as we will need them.
Thanks, Ben. I think you're far from alone in these sentiments. I will say Benn had a better game last night than the first two of the series, and Duchene did make a nice play to help win the faceoff before Hintz's goal. But yeah, both of them will need to come up bigger at some point, one would think.
First, hero for using that shot of Hellebuyck on his Helleback. I haven’t seen that as a thumbnail as often as I anticipated, but of course I could count on you.
Second, you guys keep reopening the old Edmonton wound! I can forgive you for it if you have a good memory and can tell me how this team’s different from that team. Maybe the answer is “it’s only the 2nd round and we’re not COMPLETELY worn down…” and also they’re not playing the zombie Oilers.
Editing to add a third: 100% of NHL player interviews use the word “yeah.” In fact, you could probably set a betting line at 2.5 “yeahs” per interview.
I really liked the one of Hellebuyck reaching back for the puck at the last moment, but it doesn't read as well as a thumbnail. And yes, we have to keep mentioning the Oilers every time they get to 2-1 until they get to 3-1. It's the rules.
I hate those rules.
Helleback....that was really good. Kudos.
LFG Stars
Great read, Robert!
I almost wish Marchment got suspended for this tap. It might just be me being a doomer but I feel like that 2nd line has been completely useless at 5v5 for the vast majority of the playoffs. They're juts not getting any dangerous chances on net and every rush seems to peter out in the corner.
They looked much better to me when they finally put the original Marchment-Seguin- Duchene line back together.
Agreed on them looking better back together.
Good catch about Robertson being "demoted" to the fourth line. I viewed it as a way to continue letting him play the solid defensive game he always plays, while taking some of the scoring pressure off of him...no to mention getting him on the ice with Rantanen. And why wouldn't you move Dadonov up...that dude is nails no matter where he is in the lineup.
Can you explain Dadonov slamming his stick that would make hockey coaches proud? Didn't quite understand what was happening there.
Yeah, I should've elucidated there. He's making sure his blade is available for a quick pass or tip play. "Keep your stick on the ice" is a common coaching mandate in youth hockey.
Ok, I thought that might be it, thanks. Thanks for inserting "elucidated" into my day as well, I wasn't expecting it.
This is the only time I've heard "elucidated" outside of watching the Aristocats with my kids when they were little.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rrXR6n0RTY
I still think that puck hit a stick 😁. In his postgame Petro said he thought it came off the defender’s stick, and there’s no way the player in question will ever divulge that! It does seem strange that a barely perceptible kick to gather the puck would result in it being propelled into the blue paint, but pucks do strange things. Which is why it’s still incredible to me that players can do what Rantanen does!
I agree. I don't think there's any way the puck gets from Petrovic's skate to Hellebuyck's stick at the goal mouth without contacting something else, and it sure looks like the defender is swinging at the puck right after the kick.
My mom always said I was a special snowflake…
Also, Steve “Petey” Peters has an excellent breakdown of the goal as a former NHL video coach
Yep, it just came out this afternoon!
Great write-up! Especially enjoyed your "conclusion" to Petro's goal, and your analysis/exposition of Granlund's play to create Harley's goal. Thank you for the fun and insightful reads! Hopefully we'll get a strong win with many more great plays tonight for you to write about
Go Stars Go!!
Appreciate that, Blake!
Awesome as always, Robert! Your AfterThoughts are keeping me plugged-in over in the Faroe Islands. At least they have NHL.tv here!
I couldn't be happier to be helping fans living abroad to follow these games, Sam. Appreciate the kind words!