Paul McCann: Game One in the Books

Avs played really well and were probably the better team for 2 periods. Forsberg's second goal was just insane and do to it at full speed and at such an important time of the game was just incredible.

The Preds looked a little rusty in the first 30 minutes last night. I really think that comes from "coasting" a bit in the last 3 weeks of the season where Lavy rotated nights off, and changed up lines and D-pairs. There looked to be some miscommunication & timing issues. But once the team hit their stride, the game was over.

I didn't think the D had a good game at all last night, except for maybe Irwin as noted. Turnovers, bad coverage, missed assignments, and not nearly as activated on the offensive end. They'll come around, but they aren't going to enjoy watching some of that game tape.

Give the Avs full marks. They pushed the Preds pretty hard. I think the lack of depth showed up for the Avs in the 3rd period. Their first line is going to wear out skating 25+ minutes per night.

Irwin was the best defenseman on the ice last night. I was happy for him after Preds fans gave him so much crap all year. PK had a horrible play that let Rantanen in on that breakaway and Rinne bailed him out.

I thought Hartman was the best player not on the score sheet last night. Colorado gave the Preds all they could handle. Hopefully the message from Lavi today is "we got lucky, and we better play better going forward".

The Preds looked a little rusty in the first 30 minutes last night. I really think that comes from "coasting" a bit in the last 3 weeks of the season where Lavy rotated nights off, and changed up lines and D-pairs. There looked to be some miscommunication & timing issues. But once the team hit their stride, the game was over.

I didn't think the D had a good game at all last night, except for maybe Irwin as noted. Turnovers, bad coverage, missed assignments, and not nearly as activated on the offensive end. They'll come around, but they aren't going to enjoy watching some of that game tape.

Give the Avs full marks. They pushed the Preds pretty hard. I think the lack of depth showed up for the Avs in the 3rd period. Their first line is going to wear out skating 25+ minutes per night.
- holycow_75

Agree. They looked slow the whole game.

Irwin was the best defenseman on the ice last night. I was happy for him after Preds fans gave him so much crap all year. PK had a horrible play that let Rantanen in on that breakaway and Rinne bailed him out.

I thought Hartman was the best player not on the score sheet last night. Colorado gave the Preds all they could handle. Hopefully the message from Lavi today is "we got lucky, and we better play better going forward".
- jl639s

I agree on Irwin, but Ryan Hartman was awful (I.M.H.O.), he was on the ice for both goals, he drop the man he was supposed to be covering. He even dropped his head in shame after the first goal... I will say this another poster was right they timing was awful last night. I was shocked how rusty the looked.

Nailed it......

The Preds looked a little rusty in the first 30 minutes last night. I really think that comes from "coasting" a bit in the last 3 weeks of the season where Lavy rotated nights off, and changed up lines and D-pairs. There looked to be some miscommunication & timing issues. But once the team hit their stride, the game was over.

I didn't think the D had a good game at all last night, except for maybe Irwin as noted. Turnovers, bad coverage, missed assignments, and not nearly as activated on the offensive end. They'll come around, but they aren't going to enjoy watching some of that game tape.

Give the Avs full marks. They pushed the Preds pretty hard. I think the lack of depth showed up for the Avs in the 3rd period. Their first line is going to wear out skating 25+ minutes per night.
- holycow_75

They had an off game and still won by 3 (or actually 2). If they hit their stride/timing/groove/whatever, I'll be looking forward to the rest of the playoffs. In Lavi I trust.

I agree on Irwin, but Ryan Hartman was awful (I.M.H.O.), he was on the ice for both goals, he drop the man he was supposed to be covering. He even dropped his head in shame after the first goal... I will say this another poster was right they timing was awful last night. I was shocked how rusty the looked.
- PREDX1

The first goal Hartman went down to block it and was in good position. The D man made a good move and put a nice shot on net. Honestly, that one was more on Rinne than Hartman. The second one, Hartman was defending the opposite side of the ice sealing off the dman on his side. Pass went across and was actually either Fisher's man (because he was in the middle) or Salomaki's man since he came from his side.

After that, he was everywhere. Hitting everyone and flying up and down the ice. He didn't make many friends on the Avs bench.

I agree on Irwin, but Ryan Hartman was awful (I.M.H.O.), he was on the ice for both goals, he drop the man he was supposed to be covering. He even dropped his head in shame after the first goal... I will say this another poster was right they timing was awful last night. I was shocked how rusty the looked.
- PREDX1

ARE U KIDDING ME? HARTMAN TERRIBLE.... U OBVIOUSLY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HOCKEY..... THE FIRST GOAL HE WAS IN PERFECT POSITION AND THE GOAL WAS ON RINNE..... THE SECOND WAS FISHER'S MAN I BELIEVE...... HARTMAN AS USUAL WAS A BEAST ON THE ICE....SMH....COMMENT WHEN U KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT

ARE U KIDDING ME? HARTMAN TERRIBLE.... U OBVIOUSLY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HOCKEY..... THE FIRST GOAL HE WAS IN PERFECT POSITION AND THE GOAL WAS ON RINNE..... THE SECOND WAS FISHER'S MAN I BELIEVE...... HARTMAN AS USUAL WAS A BEAST ON THE ICE....SMH....COMMENT WHEN U KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT
- PRED POWER

Go ahead and delete your account caps lock keyboard warrior.

ARE U KIDDING ME? HARTMAN TERRIBLE.... U OBVIOUSLY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HOCKEY..... THE FIRST GOAL HE WAS IN PERFECT POSITION AND THE GOAL WAS ON RINNE..... THE SECOND WAS FISHER'S MAN I BELIEVE...... HARTMAN AS USUAL WAS A BEAST ON THE ICE....SMH....COMMENT WHEN U KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT
- PRED POWER

Dude...turn the volume down a bit. I'm always glad to have another Preds fan in the mix on HB, since there aren't that many of us actively posting. But please don't feed the trolls in here. Given the keyboard shouting...you don't happen to be the guy who sat next to me in 315 last month and continually shouted "PEKKA" every time that Juuse Saros made a save? Clearly not being able to distinguish between "35" and "74" on a hockey sweater? LOL. Just wondering. The shouting & sentence fragments look & sound familiar. Haha. Okay, I'm done poking fun. Go Preds!

Dude...turn the volume down a bit. I'm always glad to have another Preds fan in the mix on HB, since there aren't that many of us actively posting. But please don't feed the trolls in here. Given the keyboard shouting...you don't happen to be the guy who sat next to me in 315 last month and continually shouted "PEKKA" every time that Juuse Saros made a save? Clearly not being able to distinguish between "35" and "74" on a hockey sweater? LOL. Just wondering. The shouting & sentence fragments look & sound familiar. Haha. Okay, I'm done poking fun. Go Preds!
- holycow_75

Good post, as always!