RD2 GM2 05/04 vs Kraken (8:30PM CT) - Squid Game

[nigel]

About 75% of the game was Men vs Boys. I'm probably wrong, but Seattle's first goal (a perfect shot) was their second shot by a forward. Dallas had zero problems skating unimpeded right up to Grubauer for the majority of the game, as basically every Seattle defender rolled out the red carpet for Dallas forwards to cruise straight up the middle.

Robo clearly has some sort of arm or shoulder injury. He looks like he can barely hold his stick. I think we all agree that the blame rests solely on the Fat Robo Avatar.

Harley continues to impress. His stretch passes are elite!

I'm still not sold on Miller, tho having his boom-shot on the second powerplay is cool. He makes really, really dumb decisions all the time, however.

Oettinger had the yips and was fighting the puck for about 15 minutes in the first period of Game 1, and now looks like his normal self. Not yet in his Games 5-7 form, however, but he'll get there. Both Seattle goals were just lights-out perfect roofing shots in the top corner blocker side. No goalie is going to stop those unless he's cheating the hell out of every other possible shot.

I felt like Otter could've read that Miro had the pass covered and come out a bit and centered himself to the stick a little more. But maybe I'm just looking to be critical.

[SaintAngerBH]

I agree that Miller makes very poor decisions. Hanley isn't spectacular, but he looks safer and smarter on the ice to me.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

I agree that Miller makes very poor decisions. Hanley isn't spectacular, but he looks safer and smarter on the ice to me.

Miller has actually gotten much worse since the coach started randomly benching him imo. You can see him visually backing off people entering the zone like a rookie or something.

[mookie1010]

It's *fargin'* embarrassing that they didn't score at least one empty netter during that stretch.

Kraken in 5.

This joke deserved better.

[slaps]

It's true they sure did point out how good dallas was at faceoffs a lot.

There is such a gap in this series i find myself cool
with just totally icing the puck whenever

Faceoffs are a weird thing. If a team is slightly better, then it's an overhyped stat. If a team is so much better than they can comfortable game-plan around winning 4 out of every 5 or whatever, then it really does kind of matter.

[slaps]

I agree that Miller makes very poor decisions. Hanley isn't spectacular, but he looks safer and smarter on the ice to me.

Somebody pointed out that the thing with Hanley is he plays the exact same way every time. You're never going to get anything more than what he's shown out there, but almost never going to get anything less, either. He can play every game or sit for 6 weeks, and his game on the ice will be almost exactly the same.

Miller obviously has more upside, but there's something to be said for keeping it simple and steady.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

It's *fargin'* embarrassing that they didn't score at least one empty netter during that stretch.

Kraken in 5.

This joke deserved better.

I chuckled.

[mookie1010]

It's true they sure did point out how good dallas was at faceoffs a lot.

There is such a gap in this series i find myself cool
with just totally icing the puck whenever

Faceoffs are a weird thing. If a team is slightly better, then it's an overhyped stat. If a team is so much better than they can comfortable game-plan around winning 4 out of every 5 or whatever, then it really does kind of matter.

Oh yeah. Totally agree. It's like a team with superior set pieces. As frequently as it gives the winning team offensive possession while the defense begins the play huddled around one area of the ice, it makes a difference. It generates scoring chances.

[B Kat]

Good sign, the Stars absolutely slowed the Kraken. Even had their way with them.

[SaintAngerBH]

I agree that Miller makes very poor decisions. Hanley isn't spectacular, but he looks safer and smarter on the ice to me.

Somebody pointed out that the thing with Hanley is he plays the exact same way every time. You're never going to get anything more than what he's shown out there, but almost never going to get anything less, either. He can play every game or sit for 6 weeks, and his game on the ice will be almost exactly the same.

Miller obviously has more upside, but there's something to be said for keeping it simple and steady.

Yep. You can plan around Hanley's deficiencies because they never change.

[wonko80]

Miller seems to be trying too hard, which is weird to say but I think really can be a problem when it makes them do things they otherwise wouldn't.

[ToddM]

Miller made some fantastic stretch passes (our third pairing was a nightmare for Seattle's forecheck, routinely beating their forwards before they could even start a forecheck) and his willingness to just absolutely slap the living *poo poo* out of those shots on the second PP was great, a welcome relief to Suter. (still not sure why DeBoer's not putting Harley in that spot).

[slaps]

The power play did do a much better job of generating rebounds instead of one and done into Grubauer's belly.

[ToddM]

Todays the 15th anniversary of that Morrow four OT game against San Jose. Pavelski played in that game, too.

[mookie1010]

Todays the 15th anniversary of that Morrow four OT game against San Jose. Pavelski played in that game, too.

I was at that game. *Dang all Get out*.

[SaintAngerBH]

Todays the 15th anniversary of that Morrow four OT game against San Jose. Pavelski played in that game, too.

I remember thinking Mike Modano looked old that year.

Now he reeeaaallllyyyy looks old.

[slaps]

Also, I think we've seen the best Seattle has to offer. It's really good - they are relentless on the forecheck and faster than a stabbed rat. But the Stars can match that, and have shown they have another level to which they can go. Seattle is in many ways better and scarier than Minnesota, but the Stars have more high-end talent than the Krakheads. Vince Dunn is not anywhere close Heiskanen's level.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Remember game three of series one.

[slaps]

The Wild didn't really play any differently, just more disciplined. The Stars just played like a pile of poop. Seattle doesn't have the penalty propensity that the Wild did.