Game Journal for Los Angeles Kings @ Colorado Avalanche and some other games….
Before we get to the Avalanche Game Journal, here are the notes from the other two games I watched parts of this afternoon.
Dallas Stars @ Buffalo Sabres
Watching the first five minutes of this game is like watching two people who have never danced together before getting a feel for the steps they know. teams in the same division know the dance and these teams being in different conferences are showing that they don’t skate the same kind of hockey. To each team’s credit, there have been a lot of sticks in passing lanes. The Stars are having a hard time getting sustained time in the offensive zone. Buffalo has had the lion’s share of o-zone time, but those pesky sticks in passing lanes are not leading to high danger chances.
Dallas scores on a lovely tipped slapshot from the point. As I’m watching Buffalo press for the equalizer, I’m curious about what the Sabres’ offense is outside of Tage Thompson. I really don’t know, I’m not trying to trigger any of their fans. I’m just getting into eastern conference hockey and in the small sample size of Buffalo games I’ve seen this year, Tage Thompson is option one followed by…..who? I hope to find out before the season is over. I secretly hope the Sabres win the Stanley cup before Eichel does.
I think I said this during an earlier watch. The Sabres have more control over a game now than they did the last number of seasons. They chase less and move the puck through the neutral zone with confidence. Buffalo has tried two rainbow passes over the neutral zone. I’m not a huge fan. Dallas is trying to close the first period with another goal while Buffalo is trying to get some zone time to finish the period.
Dallas goes on the power play and scores near the end of the period. What I’m seeing from buffalo is better hockey than the little bit I’ve watched the last few seasons. Ugh, as I write this, Dallas has scored a third goal. Buffalo is getting better, in fact, they just scored with 24 seconds left. What an entertaining last minute of the period. The Stars are what they are and the Sabres are playing better hockey. I root for them.
It seems my declaration of rooting for the Sabres led to them losing 10-4. I’m sorry.
Vegas Golden Knights @ Tampa Bay Lightning
I picked the wrong game to have on the radio. The Golden Knights scored first and the Lightning answered the bell with a goal shortly thereafter.
Dallas is up by two and so is Boston so we’re moving to the last game of special interest before the Avs drop the puck. Something about Tampa Bay is that they play an excellent version of desperate hockey. When they need to scramble to block a shot, they ALWAYS have a guy in place to make a decent attempt on the block. I have no love for Jeannot, but his hit on Eichel then fights where he turns the guy around and takes him to the ice. Great stuff, no notes. I love watching two teams I dislike beat up on each other.
No goals in the second period. I must have some back luck. I left the Dallas game and the score is 5-2. Tampa Bay and Vegas are getting really chippy and Stamkos may have cost his team two minutes of the double minor they had going into the final period. I’m just glad to see gooning happening to other teams.
Vegas looked like they were in control of this game. Tampa Bay looks like they are treading water on a melted rink but somehow they came back and got the game to overtime, where they lost. I hate the loser point but it doesn’t really matter here. The Lightning are playing the Leafs in the first round. If they keep up at this pace, they will only see the first round.
Edmonton Oilers @ Boston Bruins
I joined the game with 12 minutes left in the first period and I see Boston is in the lead with a power play on the way. This could get out of hand with the way Edmonton is capable of ignoring defense. That’s not really fair, Boston is unlike anything the Oilers would see in the west. Boston just needs to play their brand of hockey and it’s a 4 goal margin of victory.
Boston keeps their consistency going. The Oilers are having to work very hard to get a shot and it is not a quality shot. The period is about to end, a bad play by the goalie and a goal is scored by Boston with 0.2 seconds left in the period. Absolutely back-breaking goal to give up. I was about to type that Edmonton should be pleased being down only one after one. not this feels like the game is over if Boston comes out and scores early in the second period.
PLOT TWIST! Edmonton won the game, in regulation. I will have to watch the highlights tomorrow, but good for them. I really just want some of the air taken out of the “historicness” that is the Bruins season. Appreciate the help there Oilers.
Seattle Kraken @ Colorado Avalanche
First Period
Ugh, the NHL, in its infinite wisdom, does blackouts. I live close to LA and that means Ducks, and more pertinent to tonight’s game, Kings games are blacked out. So I am listening to the radio. I hate money in sports. /rant.
At least I have Conor McGahey to listen to from the Avs radio feed. He is awesome. Also awesome are the Kings getting weird goals tonight. They get what sounds like a lucky bounce with the Avs out of position for said bounce, leading to a 2-on-1 and a goal. Then a weird no-angle shot and the Kings end the period with a two-goal lead and two power plays. Feels like the Avs didn’t read my pre-game thoughts. Slow start and nothing yet from Artturi, or anyone else. I haven’t watched a Kings’ game this year. I’ve no idea if the Avs can make the comeback. I’m positive they will make the effort, I wish they didn’t have to.
However, also in my pre-game thoughts was the idea that I had to get my mind right for the stretch run. There is a lot of hockey left. I’m positive the boys can make the push and they don’t have a game tomorrow *checks schedule, they don’t have a game tomorrow! Stay strong Chris, stay strong.
Score: Los Angeles Kings 2-0
Second Period
The Avs can’t seem to get a call tonight while the Kings have no issue getting a penalty called in their favor. At least the puck doesn’t lie and the Avs have killed off all three penalty kills so far. It also sounds like there are no bounces going to Avalanche way tonight. I know what game this is. This needs to be a Nichushkin ugly goal in front of the net to get the team going. Cale Makar will find a way to score a wrister in the third and MacKinnon will score late in the third or overtime to secure the second point. (written with 13:21 on the clock)
Well, the goal wasn’t scored by Nichushkin, but it was a deflection and I’ll be honest, getting Evan Rodriguez going would be great for the team too. Sam Girard is also scoring points these days. I like it, boys, keep it up, and push for the tie!
The Avs got a power play at the end of the second but were not able to score. They did not give up a goal this period and they were flying at the end of the second. I like what I’m hearing on the radio. The game is very winnable. I want the Avs to win, obvs, but this sounds like the kind of game where all the bounces and calls go against your team. It happens and sometimes the hockey gawds are tipping the scale too far against your team. I’m telling myself now that the team played a good second period, didn’t give up a goal, and have momentum going into the third.
Score: Los Angeles Kings 2-1
Third Period
A frustrating first half of the period. The Kings are a team that plays very well with the lead. The Avs are trying, would love to see it on the streaming service I pay for, but sometimes the bounces are intent on going against you.
I can tell by Conor’s tone it just isn’t going to happen tonight. That’s what I love about Conor. He has watched so many Avalanche games, he is a great barometer for how the game is going to go. When you’re on a Stanley Cup run, it’s otherworldly. When the Avs are struggling, it’s much less fun.
My optimism for this game is lagging, my feeling about the season have not changed. Make the playoffs, get healthy, and make a run.
Nope, just wasn’t their night.
Score: Los Angeles Kings 5-2
What do you do? Laugh, and go to the next game.
