This. Maybe hold off on your hot sports opinions if you only watched half of a playoff game. I don't know if the losing streak (or play before the streak) just broke a lot of our fanbase or what but that isn't the same team we've seen the last 2 nights. Let's put things in perspective. The Avs are a Stanley Cup Favorite, favorite to win this series and we were home dogs both Saturday and Monday. Without Heiskanen, not only our best player but most important player, we are at a talent and schematic disadvantage against this Avs team. Yet we played a solid game 1 despite outcome (analytics say we outplayed them in game 1 but just didn't get the bounces and didn't finish) and after the first 10 minutes last night we thoroughly outplayed them. Again, the Avs are a really damn good team. I think they are definitely better than last year and it was hard to put them away then when we had both Tanev and Heiskanen. I was concerned our play from the last month would carry over into the playoffs but that obviously hasn't been the case (despite the final score in game 1). So personally, I'm far more optimistic now than I was before the series started despite losing home ice. Avs still rightful favorites but they have to be a little concerned they haven't dominated play so far with the Heiskanen wild card in play for the 2nd half of the series.
I'll say this, Harley is turning into a flat out top tier defender before our eyes. He played 28 minutes Saturday and 36 last night. We need Miro back because I don't think he can carry that load all series but his future is really bright. Really liked what I saw out of old guys Benn/Seguin/Dadonov and 4th line. We really need more out of Duchene, Johnston and Rantanen. Miko played a ton last night but still just doesn't seem comfortable on O. It's like he's always looking to make the perfect pass. I'm sure he's going to connect on one at some point, but we need him to just say fuck it and try to get pucks on the net. I feel like the team overall took that approach as the game played on and that is the way we're going to beat these guys. There just isn't enough space in playoff hockey against this team to wait for the perfect play.
I'm exhausted today but great night at the barn.