The Avalanche did not practice today, which I probably find a little odd, since they’ve been off so long already since knocking off the Flames. But they’ll be back at it Thursday at Family Sports Center, then jet off to San Jose for Game 1 of Round 2, Friday night at SAP Center.
Coach Jared Bednar did have a brief session with media today, though, and the big takeaway was: Defenseman Sam Girard should be cleared to play Game 1 against the Sharks.
But what does that mean to the lineup? Well, we’ll have to find out Thursday, maybe even Friday, for the answer.
“I’d say that there’s a good chance he’ll be healthy,” Bednar told the Avalanche website. “I just don’t know yet. That will be determined the next couple days.”
Let me do a little translation here: Bednar wouldn’t say “there’s a good chance he’ll be healthy” if he probably didn’t already know and believe that. I think what he’s more uncertain about is just who Girard would play with, and/or who will have to sit out if he does play.
Girard has been paired most of the year with Erik Johnson, but at practice lately, Cale Makar has been with EJ. Makar was paired with Patrik Nemeth when he began play with the Avs.
I don’t think there’s any chance Makar is scratched, after what he’s shown. Nemeth is the most likely candidate to be scratched, but he played well against Calgary, and I think the Avs are going to need as much size and toughness as they can get for this series against the big, rugged Sharks.
So, this going to be a tough call for Bednar. Either he goes with seven D and scratches a forward, or he has to ask Nemeth to sit. If Nemeth sits, we may see Girard start the series paired with Nikita Zadorov. Or, we may just see Girard go back with EJ like normal and see Makar paired with Z (lefty, righty combo, probably makes most sense).
Either way, it’s a tough decision, but that’s what coaches have to do sometimes. See you tomorrow.
What decision would you make?
0 Comments (19 conversations)
HolidayHippie
Awesome news. I think probably the best move is to sit Ghetto and go with 7 D. I don’t know that Ghetto added much to the Avs against the Flames.
How do you think the Sharks will fare against the Avs speed?
ChippyPlay
11-7. Let MacK or whoever double shift with the 4th line. Gives lots of flexibility in deploying the D, based on the game situation.
Brandon Roy
Double shift Mack with the 4th of Jost and Bourque and 7 D? This suddenly abundance of available talent leaves a tricky decision for the coach. Nemeth has been great, playing Ghetto and Bourque with Mack seems like a good option but scratching Jost doesn’t sound too promising for him. Either way it’s going to be a great series. Good stuff Dater!!
aaroncali
I think I’d go 7D for the first two games. That will change when the Avs get last change at home. But for the first two games roll 7D
Drofdarb23
7 D and 11 forwards. This gets all three puck moving defensemen in the line up and keeps Nemeth in to help on the PK and as you said, with the big, rugged sharks. With as much as Bednar plays MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantannen only having 11 forwards shouldn’t be an issue.
dduchesne
7D. We need Nemeth for certain situations!
dudleyconrad
Part of me says to sit Nemeth and put Brassard back in for Sven. I think at this point that is your best 18 guys.
But sitting Nemeth leaves us short on the PK.
I think he goes 11-7 and sits Sven, and then evaluates from there.
Bob_W
I agree with everyone here that 7D and 11F is the way to go for the games in San Jose. We have seen Bednar sometimes pair Berrie and Girard or, last series, Berrie and Makar when he felt it was warranted. A lot of flexibility there. You have to wonder how much the Sharks have left in their tank after that purely emotional win. Some teams would be drained and come out flat, some teams might continue to use it to keep their fire burning. The Sharks are a veteran team so one would expect their mantra to be that they will keep themselves even keeled. We shall see.
Johnnydrama
I would go 7 d and 11 forwards for the first game and see how it goes.then put brassard in sven spot because we need all the size we can get against the sharks
pixelrebirth
Im going to be the odd man out here and say they should sit Nemeth. One of the things I see when we play 7-11 is that MacK gets double shifted and I feel it slows him down. I feel like you need a rested MacK and the temptation to double shift him on the 4th is just too high. Im probably wrong but I dont remember a single 4th line double shift that MacK contributed on. Id be more okay with 7-11 if it was like Soda double shifted or something along those lines so that MacK can fly when he gets his top line minutes.
Peinsznski
If you go 11 F and 7 D you still have the problem of what to do with Brassard, do you bench Borque or Jost to get him in or do you bench Brassard. Brassard is a bigger body that you are going to need to match up against the bigger Sharks. Ideally I think you go 12 F and 6D, Nemeth sits and Brassard is in for ghetto. If you do a better job of staying out of the box than you don’t even need the services of Nemeth.
David C McKinnis
After one or two games it might not matter if Girard gets whacked again.
Rockiesghost
Well, why mess with a good thing? Especially against a big team like sharks? Girard will get injured after one game anyways so the decision will be easier after game 1. As far as the forwards Bassard has to much of experience to sit out.
Marco9804
You have to sit Nemeth. G played well against Sharks this year and you have to pair him with EJ. You pair Z with Barrie and Makar with Cole… Offense on each pair and also a big man.
BigDee
There is no scenario where I scratch Nemeth. Andrighetto, Jost or Nieto would be an unfortunate scratch for me. Probably in that order.
Poohrash
This. Not Neato tho. Sven10 or Borque.
Colorado_Gary
I agree: 7 D and scratch Sven10. Use the Jon Klemm Corollary – instead of wearing MacKinnon out throw Nemeth on the 4th Line when needed, get the puck in deep and have him get the forecheck on.
Roger
Just want to say I don’t know lineups like you guys here do, but seriously appreciate all of your takes. Thank you all for helping me learn this aspect of the game, and also thanks to all of you for doing so with respect to varying opinions. Pretty cool reading through comments without garbage trash talk, so props.
Hockeyhead
I think the Avs should stick with 12 F and 6 D, teams that go deep in the playoffs can roll four lines. If they play 11F and 7D, Mack could get worn down if Bednar doesn’t double shift other guys as well. It is a tough decision either way with the pros and cons, if whatever he decides to do works Bednar smell like roses, if it doesn’t work well, its no fun being Bednar.
Colorado_Gary
LOL, when do you last remember the Avs having too many good D-Men to force such a tough decision?
creamy
It will be a long series and everyone will get ice time so I’m not too worried about it. That said, I’d put Brassard in for Sven10 and sit Nemeth for game 1. On defense I think Bednar wants the team to be fast and mobile, moving the puck quickly up the ice to the forwards. Getting caught up in a muck and grind game in front of the net with SJ’s big Fs plays directly into the Sharks’ hands.