Well, Damnit!

By the time the Sharks defense was done drop kicking Nathan MacKinnon in a manner that made me consider paying Marty McSorely hitman money to un-retire the Avalanche had been outrun and Philipp Grubauer had finally been solved. 

This may have been the last best chance for the Avalanche against San Jose but the war is not over yet. If anything this squad has shown the ability to find their legs and strike back. They have finally grown into a threat that needs to be taken seriously now and for the next several years. 

Now, where’s my wallet?

—->

Two Big Thoughts

1. The Grubauer Defense

For the last two games, up until Tomas Hertl was gifted an unfortunate puck drop in the crease, Philipp Grubauer has demonstrated that he is a far better goalie than Semyon Varlamov, and perhaps even better than Brendan Holtby, who was unceremoniously ejected from the playoffs along with the rest of Washington at the hands of the upstart Hurricanes. 

During these playoffs Grubauer has been a steadying force for an Avalanche defense that has a tendency to get stuck and run around in their own zone. He anticipates passes before they happen and gets sticky; rarely allowing bad rebounds, or many rebounds at all. At long last the Avalanche appear to have a franchise goalie who can weather the pressure of a deep playoff run. 

2. When Calvert is out, the game’s in doubt. 

Once again Matt Calvert was in the press box with an injury and once again the Avs lost a game in which his ability to grind and pester the opposition was sorely missed. He has become the lynchpin for the Avalanche during this playoff run. Without him Sven Andrighetto has had to step up. But as a diminutive wing who struggles when space on the ice is limited, he is not right player for the situations in which he is expected to perform. Namely, defensively, where he struggles.

As a result, San Jose is presented with an easier matchup against the Bourque-Jost line and consequently a cascading problem is created that effects the other lines. If Calvert is unable to return it is difficult to see the bottom two lines helping much against the Sharks at a time when depth scoring is sorely needed. 

The Avalanche return home for what could be their last stand against the Sharks. I’m not a fan of my playoff beard but it has become a fine companion during this run, like a puppy or some kind of chin ferret. Since I live in the Middle East I have also noticed that it gets me a certain amount of respect from strangers. Say what you want about this part of the world but there is something to be said about people who appreciate a solid lip skirt. 

San Jose May have the psycho billy trucker goatee market cornered but in the battle of the beards I’ll take Gabriel Landeskog and his wily crew of punks for the game six win. Let’s get to seven. 

Go Avs!