Game 2 Gamethread: Wild at Stars (8:30 p.m.)

2 minutes ago, WheelSnipeCelly said:

Boldy, Mojo, Spurgeon all with the uncharacteristic -3 for the night so far. That was a brutal period. Feel like this is on Deano for going with Fleury. I get that he didn't change the goalies last playoffs soon enough, but feels like he overcorrected this go-around. Why would you swap goalies when the Gus Bus did all that could be asked of him and more last game?

I don’t hate Deano's MAF choice.  Deck was stacked against us tonight.  DAL came out buzzing (predictable) and the barn is rocking (predictable).  Case could be made that MAF was trotted out as sacrificial lamb. 
seeing MAF go full wet noodle thru two periods makes it impossible to feel sorry for him

 Happiest camper: Gus’ agent

With the Wild missing their top 2 centers, and the Stars completely desperate, I thought there was a good chance this one wouldn't go well, so I don't mind Fleury taking the L. Gus can right the ship back on home ice with a strong game 3 and both Hartman and JEE can hopefully get healthy enough to play at a high level before the series returns to Dallas.

1 minute ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I don’t hate Deano's MAF choice.  Deck was stacked against us tonight.  DAL came out buzzing (predictable) and the barn is rocking (predictable).  Case could be made that MAF was trotted out as sacrificial lamb. 
seeing MAF go full wet noodle thru two periods makes it impossible to feel sorry for him

 Happiest camper: Gus’ agent

No kidding!

1 minute ago, jgodwin17 said:

Can't believe Boston lost to the Panthers.

 

I think the other teams who have been on the same level of success as Boston has been in the regular season have flamed out and didn't get far in the playoffs. I know the Lightning team who's record (can't remember if points or wins) they topped was a first round exit.

That being said, I'd be very surprised if they lost the series.

4 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I don’t hate Deano's MAF choice.  Deck was stacked against us tonight.  DAL came out buzzing (predictable) and the barn is rocking (predictable).  Case could be made that MAF was trotted out as sacrificial lamb. 
seeing MAF go full wet noodle thru two periods makes it impossible to feel sorry for him

 Happiest camper: Gus’ agent

As I commented at the outset regarding MAF, I didn't agree with the choice, but didn't hate it either. However, if Dean-O came into this game expecting to lose that would be damning. 

Edited April 20, 2023 by UK_Soldier

4 minutes ago, jgodwin17 said:

Can't believe Boston lost to the Panthers.

 

Jets over the Knights and Kraken handles the Av's

Maybe mix it up a little in the third, Nyquist with KK97 and Steel? Something has to get Zucc off the Schneid.

Dallas was going to come out smoking tonight.  MAF was the best decision.  If Goose2 got lit up tonight, what would that do for his confidence?  But, now that it's 6-3, this game isn't over yet.  We have 1 period to take runs at players and wear them down.  

This would be a good time to settle things with Suter.  

Anyone got any slapshot gifs?

The Wild gave up a shorty within the first 5 minutes. Can't play sloppy against good teams. They did escape the period only down by one but  penalties and crummy goaltending will sink you. It's hard to put on the coaches if you asked me because MAF hasn't been horrible. It's not like he was commonly allowing 5+ goals.

Bad game for him, sloppy game for Wild execution. Dallas came out with something to prove and they've been successful. Getting PPs and grade As makes it nice. MN has already done enough to deserve to lose.

1 minute ago, Sviginak said:

Maybe mix it up a little in the third, Nyquist with KK97 and Steel? Something has to get Zucc off the Schneid.

Great point. Let’s what adjustments Deano makes for 3rd.  If none, he didn’t learn a thing last year

5 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

With the Wild missing their top 2 centers, and the Stars completely desperate, I thought there was a good chance this one wouldn't go well, so I don't mind Fleury taking the L. Gus can right the ship back on home ice with a strong game 3 and both Hartman and JEE can hopefully get healthy enough to play at a high level before the series returns to Dallas.

Wishful thinking but they need to get back to their defensive structured game.

1 minute ago, mnfaninnc said:

Anyone got any slapshot gifs?

2 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Keep 'em coming

Nice comments from the announcers ESPN-

"If I'm there, I'm taking a chunk out of Dallas"

message sending time

4 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Dallas was going to come out smoking tonight.  MAF was the best decision.  If Goose2 got lit up tonight, what would that do for his confidence?  But, now that it's 6-3, this game isn't over yet.  We have 1 period to take runs at players and wear them down.  

This would be a good time to settle things with Suter.  

Anyone got any slapshot gifs?

Again...didn't necessarily a problem with MAF starting, but best decision? I didn't and now don't know that's true. You saying Gus would have gotten rocked like this? I don't think so. 

also crash the net hard, make Oettinger feel claustrophobic

1 minute ago, UK_Soldier said:

Again...didn't necessarily a problem with MAF starting, but best decision? I didn't and now don't know that's true. You saying Gus would have gotten rocked like this? I don't think so. 

I think he gives up at least 4

6 minutes ago, Backwoodsbob said:

Jets over the Knights and Kraken handles the Av's

I don't think the gaps between those pairs of teams are anywhere near the gap between Florida and Boston, but I get your point.

Just now, mnfaninnc said:

I think he gives up at least 4

So you're saying we'd still be in it?

To be honest Oettinger hasn't looked great tonight, so that's a good sign.

Just now, UK_Soldier said:

So you're saying we'd still be in it?

I don't know if we'd have 3

Power Play time!