Great to have hockey back! First period sucked though, there was clearly rust and clearly a feeling out period for Granlund, you could see he was trying to think his way through the period. Second period he started to add instinct to his game, and you could see it step up dramatically...still has a way to go, but he clearly belongs and will greatly improve the more he gets things down to an instinctual level.
Everyone improved in the second after that first pp, the team clearly got some jump after that. Parise and Koivu have such puck control, all Heatley needs to do is go to the net to look for garbage to clean up...he could have a big year if he can jump on those like he has in years past!
Between Cullen and Setoguchi, it was Setoguchi that looked the odd man out on the second line. Granlund is so good on the puck, but he can't be the only source of puck control if that line wants to be a threat. Cullen was at least able to make a pass or two, but if the puck reached Setoguchi he kept turning it over and ending any threat. Not sure if this line will ever work as is. Maybe swap Cullen and Brodziak, as Setoguchi may be able to go to a more Heatley style cleanup role then...either that, or Setoguchi needs to go down a line.
Was not at all impressed with Backstrom. He was overplaying the puck all night long. Thankfully the Avs were hitting posts and our defensemen managed to bail him out as well. This was the exact same Backstrom from the scrimmage...getting concerning. Hope Harding is in net tonight!
On defense, my god Suter makes skating look effortless! Spurgeon was good along with Suter on breakouts and both rocked on holding the offensive zone, though Spurgeon was pushed around a bit in his own zone. Gilbert was ok, as was Stoner...but Falk and Prosser were downright ugly out there!