manilaNJ
Optimism: Unwavering
For all the puck possession last year, they weren't very good at working the puck into the high scoring % areas. Held on to it a lot but it often didn't get to the slot.
whatever they were working tonight, they got the puck to the front of the net fast; seemed to create isolated 2 on 1 situations with fast give-and-go passes. Boucher and Henrique did it a couple times; Henrique and JJ also worked it in the second period. Very nice.
It looks like something you can run a drill on.
One other thing I noticed is that they still had moments where they relied on the ol' dump & chase, but they approached it differently. They were more patient before they gave up the puck. It looked like they were holding onto the puck until it looked like they had a guy who was even with or about to get behind the defense.
Something that was a little hard to judge live, but I'll be looking out for it again.
It was nice to see them not fire the puck away once they got to the blue line.
Hoping for more of that in the regular season.
Boucher really impressed me. The impressive parts was he was making his presence felt on the defensive side of the ice too and was starting plays on both ends. That's the kind of stuff that makes one want to think he is ready.
I liked Boucher's game a lot. I still wouldn't mind him getting some more time in the AHL, though. I think the team will find a way to get him back in the lineup one way or another -- but I think there's more there.
He was good in all 3 zones, created lots of opportunities for himself and others.
But A. it's just a preseason game and B. I want to see more confidence at the net.
I think Boucher has what it takes to be a real offensive threat. I want him to be the type of shooter that gives goaltenders in our divisions nightmares when they go to bed at night. A little more time in Albany being the go to offensive guy can help that, I think. All of my untempered excitement aside