Review: October 12th - Habs at Pens, Sharks at Caps, Panthers at Canes

Montreal 3 Pittsburgh 2
Plekanec and Pacioretty are kind of on fire. If that fire burns all season, this team could break the East's 4 year Cup drought. They looked really solid, again. I think, their top 6 defensemen are pretty mistake free and good puck-movers, mixed with these forwards and the d-system - not many teams are getting more than 3 goals against them.

That said, in moments, it looked like the Pens were creating and generating. The Bonino line has good energy and will burn some teams in the playoffs IF this team gets it together and gets there.

Where's Malkin?

San Jose 5 Washington 0
Martin Jones gets a shutout, again. I have to say San Jose's defense looks good. Washington's big names didn't get much going...oh wait, Ovechkin wasn't invisible - he WASN'T THERE. Ok, good...I was worried - I don't like when Ovechkin isn't noticed and IS THERE. Regardless, the Sharks made it difficult, gave no rebound chances, kept the Caps outside. Makes the shutout a bit simpler.

Caps Holtby - he was left all alone. At least two of the Sharks goals were on the rebound. Not easy for goalies to react fast enough to such shots. This loss was not on Holtby.

Florida 4 Carolina 1
Gotta say - Carolina at 0-3 is not a surprise. I have hopes for them. They create at times and did in this game. They aren't finishing, which makes goalies look good. Montoya. I can't believe he is playing so well. More power to him though.

The Panthers put on a solid performance. Top to bottom, this roster doesn't have any holes, really. No top-tier talent, maybe - Bjugstad is close. Huberdeau, too. Jagr is a shadow of greatness, yet still producing and not easy to defend. The defense here is so solid. And Ekblad, if not already recognized as top-tier, he will be. Bjugstad's goal was a beauty - he got that shot off so quickly and with strength and placement, George Hainsworth in '29 couldn't stop that one.