Maybe Otter really is better. And he is the poster child for why save percentage isn't everything when analyzing goalies. The Stars still give up more quality scoring chances than I want to see, especially without Miro, but Oettinger cleans up more messes than the average or even above average goalie does. Anyway, a very solid game for the Stars today, and they showed in the third period that they do have a higher gear when they need it, especially at home.
It is hard to say because Winnipeg plays such stout defense in front of Hellebuyck. He has to face far fewer quality scoring chances than Otter and just about every other goalie does. The Stars overall team defense has really suffered in Miro’s absence.
Listening to deBoer praise Petrovic tonight I'm again wondering why he spent the entire season in the minors? He's good enough to play 12 minutes a night in the playoffs but has to spend the regular season in the minors while less deserving players are in the NHL?
If I'm him I'm frankly pretty pissed at the overall situation. It's not debatable the team clearly sees him as the better player yet decided to let other reasons determine who was on the major league team. That's stupid.
Robert. There’s a SportsNet video of this goal that’s easy to find on YouTube. At the 33 sec point, if you play in slow motion, what I see is the puck being controlled by Petrovic’s left skate and moving in a north south direction. Then, almost immediately, it changes direction again to go east west instead of the original north south. Both players swipe their sticks at the puck at the moment this change of direction happens and one of them appears to make contact. From a later angle in the same video it looks like it would have to have been Petrovic’s stick. Am I seeing things?
I don't see an angle that tells me Petrovic got it with the stick. I do think the officials basically treated it like Hellebuyck is playing the puck rather than making a save, and that seems like a mild stretch. But I think the emphasis on allowing skate goals unless they're absolutely obvious kick-ins meant they were always going to allow this.
I wonder if intent played a factor. It looked like he was opening up his skate to help get the puck out to his stick, a play that happens all the time in a game, right?
The call on the ice is supposed to stand absent a clear reason to overturn it. I think Hellebuyck knocked it into his own net, meaning it wasn’t going in until Hellebuyck played it (or attempted to play it). Regardless, there wasn’t enough clear evidence of a “distinct” kicking motion that directly lead to the goal, and so the on-ice call should stand.
1. Otter is playing the best playoff hockey since he's out-of-this-world 2021 performance vs Calgary. He's been consistent and is making the big saves when they count. That's a very good sign moving forward. He's been excellent.
2. I don't know what more can be said about Mikko; every game he sets some weird record where the names he's being mentioned with are no-doubt all-time greats. It's truly remarkable and I keep thinking it surely has to stop but it's now been the greatest six-game run in NHL playoff history and that's really something.
3. Nice to see others finally chipping in. Benn actually made a couple positive contributions. His set up of Codi Ceci was a great play that should have been rewarded. Him taking his 5th penalty of the last 4 games - all in the offensive or neutral zone - is still infuriating.
3. The defense corps - the alleged weakness of this team - has been outstanding. Harley is looking like an elite DMan and I think an argument can be made that Miro isn't the best defensive player on the team. Esa Lindell is an absolute boss; his work game in and game out is stellar. Bichel playing substantial minutes at his age and inexperience and never really looking vulnerable is impressive. Petro and Ceci have also been very solid doing what they're asked to do.
4. The fans of Dallas are amazing. That arena looks like it's rocking. Announcers from all areas have commented what a loud and energize place it is. Compared that with the mausoleum the Cowboys play in.
Maybe Otter really is better. And he is the poster child for why save percentage isn't everything when analyzing goalies. The Stars still give up more quality scoring chances than I want to see, especially without Miro, but Oettinger cleans up more messes than the average or even above average goalie does. Anyway, a very solid game for the Stars today, and they showed in the third period that they do have a higher gear when they need it, especially at home.
It is hard to say because Winnipeg plays such stout defense in front of Hellebuyck. He has to face far fewer quality scoring chances than Otter and just about every other goalie does. The Stars overall team defense has really suffered in Miro’s absence.
Yep. Exactly.
Bisch and Petro have looked great in their limited minutes.
Remarkable how good they've been.
Listening to deBoer praise Petrovic tonight I'm again wondering why he spent the entire season in the minors? He's good enough to play 12 minutes a night in the playoffs but has to spend the regular season in the minors while less deserving players are in the NHL?
If I'm him I'm frankly pretty pissed at the overall situation. It's not debatable the team clearly sees him as the better player yet decided to let other reasons determine who was on the major league team. That's stupid.
Robert. There’s a SportsNet video of this goal that’s easy to find on YouTube. At the 33 sec point, if you play in slow motion, what I see is the puck being controlled by Petrovic’s left skate and moving in a north south direction. Then, almost immediately, it changes direction again to go east west instead of the original north south. Both players swipe their sticks at the puck at the moment this change of direction happens and one of them appears to make contact. From a later angle in the same video it looks like it would have to have been Petrovic’s stick. Am I seeing things?
I don't see an angle that tells me Petrovic got it with the stick. I do think the officials basically treated it like Hellebuyck is playing the puck rather than making a save, and that seems like a mild stretch. But I think the emphasis on allowing skate goals unless they're absolutely obvious kick-ins meant they were always going to allow this.
I wonder if intent played a factor. It looked like he was opening up his skate to help get the puck out to his stick, a play that happens all the time in a game, right?
The call on the ice is supposed to stand absent a clear reason to overturn it. I think Hellebuyck knocked it into his own net, meaning it wasn’t going in until Hellebuyck played it (or attempted to play it). Regardless, there wasn’t enough clear evidence of a “distinct” kicking motion that directly lead to the goal, and so the on-ice call should stand.
So much good for the Stars from this game.
1. Otter is playing the best playoff hockey since he's out-of-this-world 2021 performance vs Calgary. He's been consistent and is making the big saves when they count. That's a very good sign moving forward. He's been excellent.
2. I don't know what more can be said about Mikko; every game he sets some weird record where the names he's being mentioned with are no-doubt all-time greats. It's truly remarkable and I keep thinking it surely has to stop but it's now been the greatest six-game run in NHL playoff history and that's really something.
3. Nice to see others finally chipping in. Benn actually made a couple positive contributions. His set up of Codi Ceci was a great play that should have been rewarded. Him taking his 5th penalty of the last 4 games - all in the offensive or neutral zone - is still infuriating.
3. The defense corps - the alleged weakness of this team - has been outstanding. Harley is looking like an elite DMan and I think an argument can be made that Miro isn't the best defensive player on the team. Esa Lindell is an absolute boss; his work game in and game out is stellar. Bichel playing substantial minutes at his age and inexperience and never really looking vulnerable is impressive. Petro and Ceci have also been very solid doing what they're asked to do.
4. The fans of Dallas are amazing. That arena looks like it's rocking. Announcers from all areas have commented what a loud and energize place it is. Compared that with the mausoleum the Cowboys play in.