Whent taking into account the fact that it was a road game agaisnt a very good team, and considering the Avs' recent struggles, I think that was my favorite performance of the year. We did give up a lot of shots, but I think in terms of dangerous scoring chances we probably had just as many as they did. Jarry had to come up big for them many times.
MacK was in full beast mode tonight, great to see. Too bad that goal was disallowed. There is never a competitive advantage on the goals that come back due to the off-side coaches' challenge. I can't even begin to fathom why that rules exists. By far the worst rule in the league.
Also a shout out to Compher, Andrighetto and Wilson. All three were fantastic last night. Hopefully Ghetto has refound his mojo. We need him. If Wilson can permanently snap out of his funk that will be huge as well.
I thought the defense did a good job last night in front of Bernier. There was really only one sequence (well, 2 if you count their last minute goal) where they running around like in their own end for a prolonged period of time (something which would happen an average of 10 times per game last season). I though the first period was key because it was very evenly played and it showed them that they can hang with the Penguins, unlike what happened in the 1st vs Tampa. That probably gave them a little bit of confidence.
Hopefully Kerfoot isn't out for long. He's become a key part of the team. Though he can be so frustrating on the power play with his refusal to shoot, he does a lot of good little things that go beyond his passing ability. He's a good forechecker for his size, reads the game well defensively, especially in transition where he has broken up quite a few plays in the neutral zone, and he's effective in front of the net whether that be tipping shots or finding loose pucks and he's probably the 3rd or 4th fastest forward on the team (behind Mack, Compher and possibly Yak). His turnovers have generally occurred because he's trying to make something happen, which you can live with every now and again. I'd say the thing that impresses me the most is that his lack of size is not a big hindrance. He's decent along the boards and in the corners, whch is incredible for a guy that weighs 120 lbs.
I'm on Team Send Jost the AHL. I wouldn't say he's been bad per se, he's not a liability or anything, but he's not generating scoring chances, which is ostensibly what his main purpose out there is. Strength seems to be a real issue. Getting big offensive minutes there will be so key for his development. Wilson or Ghetto can take his spot on that line and proably make that line. It was telling how when we were down to only 10 forwards Jost was still not getting many shifts.
I'm excited for tonight's game against WSH. They are much better now then they were when we last played them. But they are also on a back to back and Varly will be extra dialled in. Both of their goalies played last night as Holtby got pulled in the second, so that plays in our favour. If Kerf is out, I expect Yak to come in and be on the "extras" line with Ghetto (Compher plays centre with Wilson and Jost).
