Tonight we focus on what happened in Game 5 and what it means for Game 6 tomorrow night. I re-watched the game and learned quite a bit about the Avs adjustments and how the Golden Knights dealt with them. Plus, my plea at the end to not misunderstand my honesty if you are an optimist, cause I’m not.
Howard
Ken, I think you are missing a very big factor – AVS play much better at home because they use altitude acclimation to their advantage. You say elevation doesn’t matter that much because VGK also practices at elevation. With respect, you are wrong.
AVS have a huge advantage at home, they are able to play that balls out style whereas their opponents normally cannot.
Game 1 and game 5 is how AVS play at home. Game 2 VGK was ACCLIMATED to the elevation because they were already a few days in Denver, follow?
We WILL NOT SEE AVS play that way at our rink. They will play somewhat like that, but VGK will be faster and able to better handle AVS pressure as we did in the 2 home games here.
AVS might win because hockey is strange that way, but I don’t think I’m right here, I know I’m right here because in part, it’s what I study and do.
You are absolutely missing this factor and not quite understanding why AVS were so great at home this year.
VGK will be able to match AVS pressure at home. If we lose game 6, we will need THAT SAME LUCK as in game 5 to win the series.
Trust me, you are over analysing this – the elevation and acclimation to it means TONS MORE than you think. Mark Stone pretty much showed us that as he was OUT OF BREATH for his post game interview.
Conclusion – AVS can play in stronger pressure waves at home if both teams have the same 1 day of acclimation, but if both teams have 4 days like between games 1 and 2, what happened? AVS looked NORMAL, are you following?
Trust me on this. Again, AVS might win as I mentioned before but I guarantee you that game 6 WILL NOT LOOK anything like game 5. VGK will not be as breathless and will be able to match AVS intensity – the forecheck, intensity, things you mention here will return because of the elevation issue, or lack thereof.
THE hockey GOD
Elevation was very evident in first half of period one in which the VGK obviously didn’t have their legs. It took them nearly half the period and more than several line shifts to get going. Let’s not forget the HOME CROWD advantage at T mobile. The place is going to be rocking with all that electronic noise. The AVS haven’t faced adversity in playoffs yet this year. They are young team. The real question is how will they handle it ? So far that cat is still in the bag.
I expect AVS to come out with bang in period one, try to set tone with some heavy fore checking and bouncing VGK into boards. This is typically what teams do at this stage in playoffs when they are behind trying to gain some momentum.
hdbiker7851
Howard – anyone who goes skiing in Colorado can attest to exactly what you are saying. The first day or two on the slopes makes you wonder why you are in such poor shape and out of gas. After that you do ok. I have family who live there and we talk about it all the time. If you are not use to the altitude it initially is a killer. I firmly believe and sincerely hope I am right tonight is VGK chance to make it happen, I can’t say the same if it goes back to Denver for #7.
Theresa soles
Altitude is indeed the AVS’ home-ice advantage. Always has been with ALL sports ( Consider YEARS of college sports, when UNLV was totally GASSED in Colorado.
In game 5, VGK was playing slow, but it was HEART and DESIRE that won the game. KNIGHTS WANTED IT MORE. I feel this is what is different from past playoff years– the boys WANT IT MORE. They feel like they DESERVE It. They are playing like they’re in it to WIN it!!
Mike StG
Ken, another excellent analysis – thanks for this! A few thoughts:
– I have been pleased to see that although VGK has basically gone with short passes strong side on breakouts with dump & chase into the OZ, that they have their heads up looking for opportunities to carry or pass the puck into the zone and have used those chances well. I think it’s been helpful and created numerous scoring chances for them. Same goes with cross ice passes in the NZ and stretch passes – limited but employed when available.
– Last game there were a couple of poor decisions by D to try stretch passes that were deflected or intercepted. But they seemed to keep those to a minimum. I’m wondering if Shea’s lesser involvement in play might be related to that, as well as what looks like an intentional effort to reduce shots from the point by VGK.
– I like Holden’s play. In the last game Hague played there were at least 2 or 3 occasions where he either made a blind pass to the center of the ice or tried to force a pass out of the DZ that led to COL opportunities. Holden tends to make better decisions on passing and also on shot selection.
Hoping (like you are) that Vegas finishes this tonight, but it’s probably going to be a ‘knock down drag out’ event. We’re lucky to be able to still be watching our team play. Hope we get more of what we saw in G4,P1 – the pace of play was breathtaking and the passing and puck movement reminded me of the 1980 Isles cup team. Some of the best quality hockey I’ve watched in years.
DOC (Go Knights Go)
WHY are these people on twitter talking about playing/beating the Canadians?
We aren’t there yet.
SHUT UP!
Peter Turner
The thing that everyone failed to mention was Patch was the the first to congratulate Stoney on that goal, way before others got there, which means he was on Stoney’s right wing in case he missed or the puck got deflected by Grubby. With both Graves and Mack tangled up on the left side of the ice, Patch would have been all alone to score that rebound. That’s how VGK plays. Always have an insurance guy just in case.
hdbiker7851
Peter -“That’s how VGK plays. Always having an insurance guy just in case” I wish that was always true but unfortunately more often than not that is not the case. There have been many rebounds in this series where there wasn’t a VGK in sight to hammer home the puck to the back of the net. If that wasn’t the case the series could possibility be over and Vegas would be on their way. They need a 60 minute outstanding performance by each and every player to win this evening. They have done it before and it’s essential tonight. Here’s to win 4 in a row.
DOC (Go Knights Go)
BE DONE WITH THEM !
14 games is ENOUGH!
Need to do it TONIGHT!
Vic
Right Doc. Insane pressure tonight as the boys don’t want to visit Denver again as that would be a huge problem. Also, not sure why people look ahead to the next opponent when the VGK have a rocky mountain in front of them to climb first. There will be plenty of time to worry about the Habs and the former VGK players, the former Kings and Ducks players and another very tough goalie. Nine more wins for the glory.
DOC (Go Knights Go)
WE DID IT. VIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too excited right now.
More tomorrow.
YA HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank
Bring on Montreal!!!! Hell yeah! Go knights go!!!!