Wow.
Kulemin Tavares Okposo - I thought Tavares played quite well tonight. He had a lot of good looks and seemed to be forcing less things tonight. Okposo looked solid as well. Kulemin, I don't mind him on the top line, but I don't love him there. He isn't a finisher and doesn't pass well enough to stay there permanently...but I still love his game and want him reunited with Nielsen and Grabovski.
Grabovski Nielsen Clutterbuck - I really thought this line was pretty good tonight, especially Clutterbuck who was active all night. Great to see Frans get the winner from Grabovski at the end.
Lee Nelson Strome - This line can just play. Strome is becoming more comfortable and is really asserting himself out there. Nelson is just dominant in all phases of the game. Lee really puts in a great effort every night, and he works really well on the wall still. He hasn't produced offensively as much as some thought he might, but he's still very effective.
Martin Cizikas Boulton - I like this line partially because Conacher isn't on it and partially because Capuano isn't using them the way he used to. Minimizing their ice time is very important, especially late in the game, and we've seen that in the past three games. They are fine when utilized like this.
Hickey Vis - Played quite well. Vis had some great moments tonight, still very fluid with the puck and the play. Hickey is like a Vis clone for me, except probably slightly better defensively and a little less offensively gifted.
de Haan Hamonic - I thought Hamonic played a fantastic game tonight. He was physical when he needed to be, jumped up just enough offensively, and just was solid all around. de Haan put in another good performance. He got caught once or twice with his spin move at the top of our own circles, but overall played very well.
Leddy Strait - Leddy is a gamer and is so good you don't notice him. He does a lot offensively and defensively that is just so smooth you don't realize how good it is. Strait looked nice tonight, and this is how I envision his use (last minute when someone can't go). He's not an everyday player, but good enough to fill in. Dumb penalty at the end of the game though.
Halak - Shutout. Calm and collected. No scary moments at all tonight. Need I say more?
PP - Thought they were too cute at times. Hated, hated, hated Tavares carrying the puck in and turning it over near the end of the game. I even said to myself, "this isn't going to go well" right when it was passed to Tavares. They had some nice looks and Smith made some nice saves. Not upset or happy about the PP tonight, it was just okay.
PK - Fantastic, again. One or two scary moments, but who doesn't have that on the PK? Capuano is using quicker and smarter players on the PK now. Nelson and Strome both read plays very well and are quick enough to put pressure on the opposition at the blue line, which has helped the PK immensely. Being good on the PK isn't just about speed, it's about being able to read the play, be quick enough to react, and be strong enough to control the puck when it does get near you. We saw that tonight out of Nelson and Strome. Clutterbuck was also very good on the kill tonight.
I think this was the team's second best performance of the season. This game wasn't as physical as the one against the Kings and I don't know that the Coyotes have the same firepower that the Kings have at ES, but it was a great team game all around. We see what happens when they focus on clogging the neutral zone as the defensive strategy, instead of forechecking hard. They need to keep playing this style.
