I should have known that Game 2 would be like this. It was a great playoff hockey game. We all had to know that the Stars would not repeat that crime against hockey that they committed in Game 1.
I hate to admit it, but the Wild have played two great playoff road games so far. The Stars have played their first great game as well. Jake in particular was awesome.
I do think that the Stars can get under their skin and get them to take stupid penalties.
They really miss Roope Hintz and his speed and two way game.
Yeah, there’s a very real sense in which the Stars have been fortunate not to be down 2-0. Oettinger saved their bacon last night. But series can shift a lot.
I'm glad that you mentioned this. As vastly improved as the Stars were last night, I would still say that they were slightly outplayed in the first period, but got franchise goalie level goaltending to keep them in the game. Sometimes I think that this team is as good as their confidence level, which noticeably increased as the game went on.
I think Gulutzan and Nasreddine deserve credit for the adjustments made between games … as much as Gully copped it after game one (some of it valid) as it related to the forecheck and PK, we got it right today especially with the inclusion of Hyry
100% here. One thing I worried about losing DeBoer was his ability to tactically adjust within a series to his opponents. I've been curious if Gulutzan can do the same. Obviously just two games, but so far so good!
A maybe underrated part of the GWG was that the Stars had the faceoff moved from the left to right circle, putting McCarron on his weak side. Bourque did his job to win the faceoff and start the play.
If I recall correctly, the last time we saw the Stars win a Game 1, they then promptly lost the next 4 and the series. (Yes, the Oilers do live in my head sans rent.)
We were in the barn last night (love those 2:45 am arrival times back in our West Texas hometown) and here are my post 4-hours of sleep notes that no one asked for.
1. Hyry was NOTICEABLE. He won a lot of battles and brought energy where we seemed to lack it in G1. Would love to see him stick in there for a bit.
2. I'm hard on Tyler Myers, but I thought this was his best game as a Star. Sure he had a couple of blunders, but he had several good poke checks and generally pushed the Wild to the outside on the right side.
3. It seemed to me that lots of good passes just weren't completed. I don't know if they're rushing things or just sloppy, but the puck just seemed to miss the tape on several passes. Maybe I'm just tired.
4. Someone next to us had a sign during the warmups that said "Colin Blackwell has that DAWG in him!" and I'm not sure there's a better description. He's a (5'8") dude.
5. How about the gasps when Mikko juggled that puck? Insane. For about 3 minutes, everyone in our section was in disbelief. Like what? AND If he had scored on that? The roof would have come off. Just incredible.
6. We had a an absolute blast as always. The crowd was so good tonight. Incredible game presentation. Mikko tossed my daughter a puck pregame. Did we get home at an ungodly hour? Yes. Is my blood pressure going to be a problem? Yes. Was it 10/10 worth it? Also (resounding) yes.
I haven’t checked- but is Gulutzan running 49-53-96 against the Boldy line and letting Duchene’s line take the better matchup? That’s not a criticism just a question.
To a degree, yes. Johnston got more of Boldy in Game 2 than other lines, while Kaprizov/Hartman was split somewhat evenly among the top three lines. Wild leaned heavily on their top six, as you’d expect with the injuries they had.
They also got more minutes against the Wild’s top 6 in G1 as well. In general, it does seem like the Johnston lines get the tougher matchups, dating back to last year’s postseason, when he was 3C.
That Foligno quote along with the Wild media explicitly saying Myers' name tells you all you need to know about their mentality. All the Stars gotta do is frustrate their players, and their front office, and the series is theirs. Also, the NHLPA continues to be a joke.
Now that was Stars hockey! Although my heart could stand a little more cushion than having the game hinge on a seeing eye empty netter. Also I want to give a shout out to Meyers. I have attacked him with some pretty heavy criticism but I have to say he did well last night. Now keep it up Meyers.
Hyry has to stay in along with Blackwell…sorry, Erne! I would still run Petro over Myers to counter their physicality more, but Myers had a good game. Glue Ritzy to Hughes every chance you can to eliminate the Hughes speedy zone entry and freedom of pass selection.
I should have known that Game 2 would be like this. It was a great playoff hockey game. We all had to know that the Stars would not repeat that crime against hockey that they committed in Game 1.
I hate to admit it, but the Wild have played two great playoff road games so far. The Stars have played their first great game as well. Jake in particular was awesome.
I do think that the Stars can get under their skin and get them to take stupid penalties.
They really miss Roope Hintz and his speed and two way game.
Yeah, there’s a very real sense in which the Stars have been fortunate not to be down 2-0. Oettinger saved their bacon last night. But series can shift a lot.
I'm glad that you mentioned this. As vastly improved as the Stars were last night, I would still say that they were slightly outplayed in the first period, but got franchise goalie level goaltending to keep them in the game. Sometimes I think that this team is as good as their confidence level, which noticeably increased as the game went on.
I think Gulutzan and Nasreddine deserve credit for the adjustments made between games … as much as Gully copped it after game one (some of it valid) as it related to the forecheck and PK, we got it right today especially with the inclusion of Hyry
100% here. One thing I worried about losing DeBoer was his ability to tactically adjust within a series to his opponents. I've been curious if Gulutzan can do the same. Obviously just two games, but so far so good!
A maybe underrated part of the GWG was that the Stars had the faceoff moved from the left to right circle, putting McCarron on his weak side. Bourque did his job to win the faceoff and start the play.
Yep. Duchene made that call, though I’m sure it was a group effort.
Marcus Foligno is a liability.
He is also nicknamed Moose, and that game showed why.
I have decided not to freak out after game 2.
Your patience is an example to us all.
If I recall correctly, the last time we saw the Stars win a Game 1, they then promptly lost the next 4 and the series. (Yes, the Oilers do live in my head sans rent.)
We were in the barn last night (love those 2:45 am arrival times back in our West Texas hometown) and here are my post 4-hours of sleep notes that no one asked for.
1. Hyry was NOTICEABLE. He won a lot of battles and brought energy where we seemed to lack it in G1. Would love to see him stick in there for a bit.
2. I'm hard on Tyler Myers, but I thought this was his best game as a Star. Sure he had a couple of blunders, but he had several good poke checks and generally pushed the Wild to the outside on the right side.
3. It seemed to me that lots of good passes just weren't completed. I don't know if they're rushing things or just sloppy, but the puck just seemed to miss the tape on several passes. Maybe I'm just tired.
4. Someone next to us had a sign during the warmups that said "Colin Blackwell has that DAWG in him!" and I'm not sure there's a better description. He's a (5'8") dude.
5. How about the gasps when Mikko juggled that puck? Insane. For about 3 minutes, everyone in our section was in disbelief. Like what? AND If he had scored on that? The roof would have come off. Just incredible.
6. We had a an absolute blast as always. The crowd was so good tonight. Incredible game presentation. Mikko tossed my daughter a puck pregame. Did we get home at an ungodly hour? Yes. Is my blood pressure going to be a problem? Yes. Was it 10/10 worth it? Also (resounding) yes.
Can't wait to let the air out of St. Paul. LFG.
It’s nice to know I wasn’t the only person driving home at 2:30 this morning. I’d say the trip was worth it!
A couple folks commented that the ice might have been a little slow; that could’ve affected some of the passing.
That juggling act was gasp-worthy. Filip Forsberg-esque.
I haven’t checked- but is Gulutzan running 49-53-96 against the Boldy line and letting Duchene’s line take the better matchup? That’s not a criticism just a question.
To a degree, yes. Johnston got more of Boldy in Game 2 than other lines, while Kaprizov/Hartman was split somewhat evenly among the top three lines. Wild leaned heavily on their top six, as you’d expect with the injuries they had.
They also got more minutes against the Wild’s top 6 in G1 as well. In general, it does seem like the Johnston lines get the tougher matchups, dating back to last year’s postseason, when he was 3C.
Indeed.
That Foligno quote along with the Wild media explicitly saying Myers' name tells you all you need to know about their mentality. All the Stars gotta do is frustrate their players, and their front office, and the series is theirs. Also, the NHLPA continues to be a joke.
Now that was Stars hockey! Although my heart could stand a little more cushion than having the game hinge on a seeing eye empty netter. Also I want to give a shout out to Meyers. I have attacked him with some pretty heavy criticism but I have to say he did well last night. Now keep it up Meyers.
Scott, that was one of the best moments! “Go… go… go… YEAH!” Great way to end the night.
I dig the song, Robert. Unsure how it ties into the game, but maybe I should read on. 😉
I like to think they choose themselves, and it’s up to us to figure it out.
As long as it doesn’t have anything to do with “always a bridesmaid…” Actually, I see it’s about bodily injury. I did need to read on!
Hyry has to stay in along with Blackwell…sorry, Erne! I would still run Petro over Myers to counter their physicality more, but Myers had a good game. Glue Ritzy to Hughes every chance you can to eliminate the Hughes speedy zone entry and freedom of pass selection.
Playoff win... That's all that matters 😂😜. Next game up!!! That is all
"Colin Blackwell is inevitable because he decides to be"
Incredible line, Robert.
Thanks, my man. Always nice to see that my late-night word salad is actually palatable.