And Then There Were Two

tack

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Jun 14, 2022, 7:05:05 PM6/14/22

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Well, it's down to the final two. The cream rose to the top.

The way I see it, it's a question of whether the Avs can keep up enough relentless pressure to crack through Vasy, while keeping pressure off their error-prone defense and so-so goal tending. If not, then the Bolts' methodical play is going to carry the day in the end.

tack

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Jun 16, 2022, 12:33:02 PM6/16/22

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On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 7:05:05 PM UTC-4, tack wrote:
> Well, it's down to the final two. The cream rose to the top.
>
> The way I see it, it's a question of whether the Avs can keep up enough relentless pressure to crack through Vasy, while keeping pressure off their error-prone defense and so-so goal tending. If not, then the Bolts' methodical play is going to carry the day in the end.

Well, Game 1 played out more or less according to my precepts. When the Avs were relentlessly in the Tampa end, they got some goals and kept the puck away from their sieve. As soon as Tampa settled down and got some rubber on Kuemper, they went in. The game was really decided by Vasy starting off semi-comatose. If those two weak tallies hadn't gotten by him in the early going, Tampa wins the game.

All that said, it's all or nothing for Tampa next game because they're not playing NY and are not coming back from a 2-0 deficit this time.

Mr. T

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Jun 16, 2022, 1:29:21 PM6/16/22

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This is why I've learned to abstain from East vs West conference declarations of superiority. The regular season proves little. It's all about this matchup.

That said, yes, I agree, it appears Tampa has much more room for improvement than Colorado. Tampa has proven over and over they can adapt and play against nearly any style. The Avs just can't seem to keep a lead. Francois looked better to me than kuemper, so your comments re Vasy also apply to Kuemper, who is routinely off his angle

tack

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Jun 20, 2022, 12:31:49 PM6/20/22

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Well, pretty much looks like Tampa is toast. Whether from age, fatigue or simply just not having the same level of desire as Colorado, they simply cannot keep up with the Av's speed and intensity. As if that were not bad enough, then we also have Vasy's complete meltdown in two games.

My guess, now, is Colorado in four, five at the very most. They've proven that they're this year's best playoff team.

tack

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Jun 21, 2022, 11:48:39 AM6/21/22

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Surprising comeback by Tampa, but with Point out, and now maybe Kucherov, they have a Mount Everest to climb. Next game vital, of course. to even make it interesting.

Mr. T

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Jun 23, 2022, 1:52:19 AM6/23/22

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Game 4 was best contest in terms of suspense, obviously. Good effort by both teams but Tampa's hopes fading fast. Having to win 2 games at altitude on the road is a tall task.

tack

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Jun 23, 2022, 12:47:09 PM6/23/22

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Tampa done. They just can't keep pace with Avs and were noticeably gassed most of the time. You can't win games frantically dumping the puck to center and hoping Vasy is heroic nonstop. Think they know it, too, and next game will be a formality.

Avs young, too, so they could challenge every year for a while. Bolts, on the other hand, now starting to resemble Sharks and Caps and are probably heading for a downhill slide. unless they pull off some brilliant trades and signings.

Mr. T

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Jun 23, 2022, 6:07:18 PM6/23/22

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Avs hard to skate with. So fast, and with some high-end skill guys. Depth too. At different points they didn't have Kadri, Cogs, or Girard. To try to imagine the Sharks winning even a single playoff game with 3 good players out is laughable.

Avs one of the best high speed skating and attacking teams we've seen in a while. They should contend. The only weakness is soft play and losing players in front of their net, and mediocre goaltending.

tack

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Jun 25, 2022, 6:27:44 PM6/25/22

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Well, a truly heroic effort in Game 5 by Tampa. Easily their best game of the series. The only weakness was the continuing propensity of Vasy to let in some weak goals, despite his otherwise solid play. That could still kill them anytime.

Now, ironically, comes the even harder test (according to stats), keeping Colorado from hoisting the Cup in Tampa tomorrow. History has shown exactly the current pattern, i.e., the favored team losing the seeming sure-bet win for the Cup, only to go on the road and win it convincingly. Maybe, not too surprising, as teams coming back home have a tendency to relax, even if subconsciously, and play with less intensity and focus. We'll soon find out if Tampa can overcome this trend.

If Tampa wins tomorrow, then Game 7 is truly anybody's contest, and enormous pressure would fall upon Colorado's shoulders. Tampa might even be the favorite, if it got that far.

Mr. T

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Jun 25, 2022, 7:27:21 PM6/25/22

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Kuemper also letting in terrible goals. It seems that if Colorado is able to keep constant pressure on Tampa, in terms up always rushing up the ice at speed, and protecting puck with their high skilled players, Tampa just can't hang.

But if Tampa is able to neutralize the speed to any degree, then it seems those opportunities where Avs don't marks players between dots and/or play soft in front of net and on rebounds, will pop up. And we all know Tampa can and will convert those opportunities. Beyond that, yeah, there is the constant wildcard of both goalies letting in some real head scratchers at strange moments.