Robert, I think you and I might be the same person. That's the second time this week I have "spoiled" an article with my comment in the post game recap!
I’m glad you compared the finishing woes to last season- since, you know, the same thing happened.
So what, realistically, are these guys NOT doing and what CAN they do instead? I don’t remember much of the post mortem discussions last season outside of the PDB fiasco but like.
Why is this group unable to finish at this time of year and what can they be doing differently?
Outside of the shooting percentage, what ELSE has changed (for the worse) since the regular season?
I think they might need to start taking more chances on breakouts, honestly. Minnesota's heavier pressure caused problems like the first goal, but they've shown an ability to beat it with diagnoal aerials and other semi-set plays. The problem is, it's mostly the Robertson line actually executing those. They need their top D-men to start leading the odd rush and breaking down Minnesota's coverage in transition.
My mood is vacillating between the zen “One team wins and one team loses, and that’s all there is,” and “Ring, ring… Depresso,” a throwback to a commercial that I’m apparently never going to forget.
Robert---I hope I'm right about this for Game 6. Home ice across the 8 series has not been very meaningful, and the Stars were 6 minutes away from winning both games in Minnesota. But I wonder about the ability to match what Minnesota is currently bringing. In any case, have you pondered the question that I am thinking---is it possible that Jamie Benn is about to play his final game in the NHL? His production during the regular season was actually pretty decent, especially after missing the first 20 games. He's 36, married now, just had a baby boy.
In these 5 games, he's been invisible (as have others offensively), but continues to take some really bad penalties. Jamie has been my favorite player for many years (until being replaced in my jersey collection by Roope Hintz!), and those memories will never go away, but I do wonder about this. I guess if Matt Zuccarello can contribute at 39, Jamie can certainly keep going.
I want to be wrong on this, but I think Minnesota is going to find a way. We win Game 6, only to disappoint the home fans and finally lose a Game 7 at home. And I don't mean wrong by losing tomorrow!
I had the thought last night that we could be watching Jamie Benn's last postgame presser in Dallas. But of course, many things can still happen. I thought he was actually pretty good early on, but losing Hyry killed any chemistry that line had.
I think Oettinger has actually been the better goalie in this series. Whatever the xG numbers say, the Stars have had far more blown coverage breakdowns and done a worse job keeping the Wild forwards from making a mess around the net. Some of the finishing is bad luck (how many times out of 10 does Johnston hit that post in game three instead of putting it away?), but the Wild have mostly be able to contest shots even when they don't get the block. The Stars haven't had as much space to work with and it's showing up in the number of misses.
I would also like to see Harley and Heiskanen back together and Robertson on the top line to start next game. If they can't win the matchups by spreading the offense, at least they should be able to dominate 20 minutes and try to play the rest to a standstill. And if Bunting's not nursing a secret injury, the decision to continue to scratch him is really baffling. I can't imagine what the reason for hiding it would be, but I also can't imagine what the reason to continue to sit him is either.
I feel for Myers, but he's really fighting it right now. It reminds me a bit of Jordie Benn back in the day where the mistakes always seemed to be of the glaring/back of the net variety. Wouldn't be the worst thing for all involved to give him a break.
Tough not to feel down after a loss, but if you'd told me before the series that playoff Oettinger was going to show up, Duchene would defeat his playoff demons, and Robertson would have a goal in every single game, I would have liked the Stars chances. The series isn't over yet.
The Jordie Benn comparison is so good. Lots of good there, and clear talent/will, but the mistakes are killers when they come, and you get the occasional game where they cluster together, and the snowball effect starts to build from game to game.
I think it’s fair to say Otter has had a couple of goals he’d like back, but he’s way, way down the list of issues. He has more than held his own- he’s the reason they weren’t swept in four.
I agree that Miko hasn’t looked right- he still seems gimpy, has problems changing directions and starting/stopping/starting. That might be a reason for all the high stick and tripping calls on him. I think the refs are also getting in his head a little bit because he seemed to go off a couple of times last night at no calls.
Last thing- Harley has played below my expectations so maybe pairing him part time with Miro could help both of them?
Really liked the dose of sanity, Robert! Thank you!
I think you have to play Harley with Heiskanen at this point. You throw everything at the wall to get some 5v5 scoring just to get some psychological relief. Also, I would probably be a terrible NHL coach.
All the pressure is on Minnesota tonight. Zero playoff success for a genesis of fans, and especially against Dallas. This is a “must-win” for them, I think.
Robert, I think you and I might be the same person. That's the second time this week I have "spoiled" an article with my comment in the post game recap!
Frankly, how dare you Patrick.
I’m glad you compared the finishing woes to last season- since, you know, the same thing happened.
So what, realistically, are these guys NOT doing and what CAN they do instead? I don’t remember much of the post mortem discussions last season outside of the PDB fiasco but like.
Why is this group unable to finish at this time of year and what can they be doing differently?
Outside of the shooting percentage, what ELSE has changed (for the worse) since the regular season?
I think they might need to start taking more chances on breakouts, honestly. Minnesota's heavier pressure caused problems like the first goal, but they've shown an ability to beat it with diagnoal aerials and other semi-set plays. The problem is, it's mostly the Robertson line actually executing those. They need their top D-men to start leading the odd rush and breaking down Minnesota's coverage in transition.
I left a comment on David’s post-game talking about breakouts lol
So I’m in full agreement
Ugh. Just kind of sucks knowing this team CAN do more than this but wondering if, in reality, they can’t.
Better aim :))) Go for rebounds!
This is awfully rational, Robert, and I thank you for it.
Awful AND rational, more like.
My mood is vacillating between the zen “One team wins and one team loses, and that’s all there is,” and “Ring, ring… Depresso,” a throwback to a commercial that I’m apparently never going to forget.
Robert---I hope I'm right about this for Game 6. Home ice across the 8 series has not been very meaningful, and the Stars were 6 minutes away from winning both games in Minnesota. But I wonder about the ability to match what Minnesota is currently bringing. In any case, have you pondered the question that I am thinking---is it possible that Jamie Benn is about to play his final game in the NHL? His production during the regular season was actually pretty decent, especially after missing the first 20 games. He's 36, married now, just had a baby boy.
In these 5 games, he's been invisible (as have others offensively), but continues to take some really bad penalties. Jamie has been my favorite player for many years (until being replaced in my jersey collection by Roope Hintz!), and those memories will never go away, but I do wonder about this. I guess if Matt Zuccarello can contribute at 39, Jamie can certainly keep going.
I want to be wrong on this, but I think Minnesota is going to find a way. We win Game 6, only to disappoint the home fans and finally lose a Game 7 at home. And I don't mean wrong by losing tomorrow!
I had the thought last night that we could be watching Jamie Benn's last postgame presser in Dallas. But of course, many things can still happen. I thought he was actually pretty good early on, but losing Hyry killed any chemistry that line had.
I think Oettinger has actually been the better goalie in this series. Whatever the xG numbers say, the Stars have had far more blown coverage breakdowns and done a worse job keeping the Wild forwards from making a mess around the net. Some of the finishing is bad luck (how many times out of 10 does Johnston hit that post in game three instead of putting it away?), but the Wild have mostly be able to contest shots even when they don't get the block. The Stars haven't had as much space to work with and it's showing up in the number of misses.
I would also like to see Harley and Heiskanen back together and Robertson on the top line to start next game. If they can't win the matchups by spreading the offense, at least they should be able to dominate 20 minutes and try to play the rest to a standstill. And if Bunting's not nursing a secret injury, the decision to continue to scratch him is really baffling. I can't imagine what the reason for hiding it would be, but I also can't imagine what the reason to continue to sit him is either.
I feel for Myers, but he's really fighting it right now. It reminds me a bit of Jordie Benn back in the day where the mistakes always seemed to be of the glaring/back of the net variety. Wouldn't be the worst thing for all involved to give him a break.
Tough not to feel down after a loss, but if you'd told me before the series that playoff Oettinger was going to show up, Duchene would defeat his playoff demons, and Robertson would have a goal in every single game, I would have liked the Stars chances. The series isn't over yet.
The Jordie Benn comparison is so good. Lots of good there, and clear talent/will, but the mistakes are killers when they come, and you get the occasional game where they cluster together, and the snowball effect starts to build from game to game.
I think it’s fair to say Otter has had a couple of goals he’d like back, but he’s way, way down the list of issues. He has more than held his own- he’s the reason they weren’t swept in four.
I agree that Miko hasn’t looked right- he still seems gimpy, has problems changing directions and starting/stopping/starting. That might be a reason for all the high stick and tripping calls on him. I think the refs are also getting in his head a little bit because he seemed to go off a couple of times last night at no calls.
Last thing- Harley has played below my expectations so maybe pairing him part time with Miro could help both of them?
Really liked the dose of sanity, Robert! Thank you!
I think you have to play Harley with Heiskanen at this point. You throw everything at the wall to get some 5v5 scoring just to get some psychological relief. Also, I would probably be a terrible NHL coach.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!
It’s not over til Otter says it’s over.
All the pressure is on Minnesota tonight. Zero playoff success for a genesis of fans, and especially against Dallas. This is a “must-win” for them, I think.