Is Gaborik going to get the Yashin treatment? (Skilled forward who can't produce in playoffs)
After Thornton had that clutch goal in Game 4 of the Calgary series, all the ''can't perform in playoff crunch time" seems to have shifted from one player to another.
The Avs ability to shut down Gaborik was second only to the consistent excellence from Jose Theodore in being the key factor in winning the series. Sometimes Theo contributed to the shut down via robbery but a lot of it was Foote, Sauer, and at times Hannan.
There were other factors two, with a key one being the Avs having more secondary scoring and more depth in the goal scorers department but, yeah, the big two were Theo and shutting down Marion.
The Avs ability to shut down Gaborik was second only to the consistent excellence from Jose Theodore in being the key factor in winning the series. Sometimes Theo contributed to the shut down via robbery but a lot of it was Foote, Sauer, and at times Hannan.
There were other factors two, with a key one being the Avs having more secondary scoring and more depth in the goal scorers department but, yeah, the big two were Theo and shutting down Marion.
I completely agree. Gabby's chance in Game 5 where Theo stuck out the pad was probably his best chance of the series. He couldn't get the puck up (or thought Theo couldn't get there and didn't try to) and that was that. After that, his body language indicated his confidence was shot. Great job to Footie. We've seen him shut down the big guys, but at this stage in his career I didn't know if he would have the speed and quickness to stay with Gaborik. Apparently so.
Exactly. Who loves Salei? Everyone.. Damn what a great trade!
I don't know about everyone else, but I have been very surprised by how good he is offensively. I think he is our most effective pointman by far (can keep it in, shoot, pass, and get back on D if need be). I'm not sure that hasn't been his best addition to the team.
I don't know about everyone else, but I have been very surprised by how good he is offensively. I think he is our most effective pointman by far (can keep it in, shoot, pass, and get back on D if need be). I'm not sure that hasn't been his best addition to the team.
Totally! He can do everything, that's why he's so good. Overall we have very good player in our hands for next 2 years for decent price! Wohoo!
The Avs ability to shut down Gaborik was second only to the consistent excellence from Jose Theodore in being the key factor in winning the series. Sometimes Theo contributed to the shut down via robbery but a lot of it was Foote, Sauer, and at times Hannan.
There were other factors two, with a key one being the Avs having more secondary scoring and more depth in the goal scorers department but, yeah, the big two were Theo and shutting down Marion.
In Game 4 I was wondering, how many goons does Minnesota need to ice? The answer, after looking at their roster, is that they don't have alternatives. They played EIGHT forwards who scored NINETEEN points or less during the regular season. Sheppard, Veilleux, Radivojevic, Voros, Fedoruk, Simon, Boogaard and Foy. They simply don't have any options. For a team that has sold out every game in their history they sure haven't spent much trying to keepp or acquire players who can score. Should've kept Brunette...
Yeah, I have to admit that it was probably my best post in a while. Footie was incredible. Gaborik was intimidated by Foote on the ice. He couldn't get his shots off properly and desperately tried to create scoring chances when Foote wasn't on the ice. Gaborik is no playoff slouch either. Foote and Theodore were just plain good.
Great job by the Avs to keep him off the score sheet this series.
