The team simply tried to Coast so as to not use all their energy like the Anaheim game. Coasted too much in the 2nd. Carried play in 3rd and overtime.
Panicked might be better word here.
Not a good start with losses against an expansion team and against a badly banged up Ducks squad missing most of their top players.
Whoever came up with the brilliant idea to scratch Fischer deserves to get fired without asking further questions. I mean...seriously?
Do you really think benching Fischer was the difference in this game?
Forwards:
Very disappointed in Stepan's intensity level this game. Very passive. Keller was noticeably less engaged as well. Though you expect that from a rookie. Not Stepan. Strome needs to show something soon. Duclair was great. Most forwards good.
Defense:
Terrible decision making. Pass first, look second mentality. Just carelessly flipping pucks wherever. Just chucking the puck where the heplays ever. Extremely undisciplined. Poor communication. Low urgency. Very loose. Ugly as hell.
Raanta:
Wow. A+
Great post. Agree 100%.
Fewer positives in this one. We talked all summer about being a "fast" team and all about how that doesn't mean fast skating necessarily but fast with the puck, fast decision making and passing. We are making very quick decisions with the puck. Way too fast. Decide first, evaluate second. Nobody is thinking about what they're doing with the puck. No look passes to nobody galore. No glancing just chucking it all over.
Almost verbatim what OEL said postgame...and he was angry! Never seen him angry before. Starting to hear leadership from him. Now need to see it.
I was hoping to see some of what we saw the first game but that wasn't the case. They weren't nearly as aggressive or as sharp with the puck movement. Our D looks like they haven't figured out how to execute Tocc's system consistently. It might be that we just don't have enough talent on D right now because they stink clearing and pushing the puck up the ice. I wonder if the forwards weren't as good because Tocc got on them after the last game and they over compensated? You'd think they would look better against a worse team and at home. They didn't even do enough to keep the crowd involved and we certainly were ready to cheer on opening night.
Agree 100%. And yes we don’t have enough talent on D. We have one legit top 2 pairing and the rest are bottom 6 pairings. If anyone unsure, just watch some hockey games of other teams in the Pacific.
It would also be nice if we could win a face-off. Does anyone know if Keller is good in the dot? Maybe he can take them but still play his wing?
Don’t know how many draws he’s taken but he’s like 100% thru 2 games. Bottom line is the team has got to start winning faceoffs. IMO this is big part of reason they start to panic and sit back when other team increases pressure.
Again, Rieder is not our best forward, and if you watched the first game Fischer took dumb penalties, like he did in preseason. The kid has to learn.
I love Reider but he only has marginally better hockey skill than Matt Lombardi. Another Coyote with elite speed and no finish. Postgame Tyson finally offered real analysis. He basically said “if Reider ever develops one move like Vrbata he would score 30 goals each year.”Until he develops such a move he will never be our best player. Toch was correct to play him on 4th line.