No game by game thing here, just some points from last night.
The Islanders! That was a nice come-back win against Florida. If Kyle Okposo plays in that next gear and gets space, he is a game changer. He started the third period scoring. Getting 3 in under ten minutes - nice. Bad for the Rangers, though. Go watch that Josh Bailey goal - I still don't get how that went in (but I may have missed a deflection there...even though I did look for it).
The Panthers. Um. Not good. It is just one game - it happens to the best teams. But I think there is something more systemic here. Some of their better defensive players were out there. They will have to play in a different gear come playoff time - this shows signs of an early exit, if not. 40minutes of solid hockey is not enough.
Chicago where have you gone!? This is two in a row where I have watched them give up space in their own zone. Dallas and Los Angeles don't need much help to hurt a team. Is Duncan Keith nursing an injury? Can't ever blow this team off in the playoffs, but as things sit in these last few games (0-2-1 current streak), they have to improve in their own zone.
The Kings. Tonight against the Stars will show a lot of how they believe in themselves. But this game was near perfection by all. Jonathan Quick made some good saves, i'm sure. But the Kings didn't let much happen in front of him. Drew Doughty is only 26 years old. Vinny Lecavalier looks to be invigorated - still old, but at this point you have to admire his ability to just fit in and do what he can.
As a note: Want to see why I believe goalies are overrated? Go watch just the highlights of that game. The Blackhawks got 7 more shots on goal. Watch what they claim are tough saves by King's goalie Jonathan Quick, who gets ALL WORLD credit for the win. There is one, where he gives up a JUICY rebound. Why wasn't it put in???? Because a defenseman had the Chicago player, who was in perfect position for that rebound kinda tied up...as in totally eliminated. Another save he makes is down low - most goalies make that save. Now watch what Corey Crawford deals with. The first goal was Kris Versteeg on a rebound in the center - untouched. The second was a Milan Lucic goal - sweetly placed. Why was Crawford back in the net? Anze Kopitar was free on the far-side of the net - Crawford had to play the potential pass as well. Vincent Lecavalier's goal??? Geesh! Dustin Brown puts a sweet dangle on the guy. And the last goal, again Crawford is feeling helpless and playing back in the net - almost looks like he lost confidence in his team on that one. And that last goal is the only - the ONLY one that another goalie might have saved - might have played differently. Quick was lucky to be on the other end of those plays. You won't hear that from anyone else and that is why I have to say Goalie are overrated.
St. Louis Blues! C'mon. You cannot lose this game. Calgary certainly can play with nothing to lose - all offense hockey, but you can't do this. I have been believing in the Ken Hitchcock coached team. And honestly I can give an excuse here as well...the Blues just weren't expecting a no quit Calgary squad shooting all-out. But this could be a sign of one of those DEATH-in-the-Playoffs weaknesses (a trait of a lot Ken Hitchcock coached teams). Nah. I don't believe it. They will rebound from this. One positive, the continued strong play of Paul Stastny - go watch his first goal, SICK!
Note: I always get a chuckle when the goalie that was praised so so much in the previous game gets SHELLED in his next game. Jake Allen gets pulled but it didn't matter. Anders Nilsson looked unhelped as well. Watch the goals - none are truly the goalie's fault and that goes both ways. Goalies look foolish if their teams don't play defense and that is why I have to say...(refer to the above note)
Nashville gets a good win. A must-win, after losing their previous two to non-playoff teams. I am a believer in Peter Laviolette and his next three games will be good indication as to how this team stacks up for the playoffs. There is a lot of talent here. (next three are: Islanders, Capitals, Kings)
Anaheim did what St. Louis should have done. Played 60 minutes of lockdown hockey. Watch the goals on this one - just some good passing and finishing. The next two games will be fun to watch - Rangers and Bruins - if Anaheim gets wins, they have no real test until an April 3rd game versus Dallas, a run that could put them in first place overall.
No comments:
Post a Comment