I know this was a late one for you east coasters, so I will do my best to recap how the game looked from my POV for those who couldn't cat the game.
Very sloppy 1st period. PP was a disaster, Couldn't string together 3 passes, and we could cleanly exit our zone.
After that, I felt like we played the brand of hockey that wins in May/June. Aggressive on the puck in all 3 zones, and clogged up the neutral zone. This was not a game where I felt like Calgary did not bring their best stuff either. I thought they showed a very strong level of intensity for 60 minutes, but when we decided to wake up and play the game, our team demonstrated why we are the better hockey club. I was especially proud of the final 20 mins. We got the lead early into the period, and we gave them next to nothing beyond that point. I am not sure I have seen us clog up the middle of the ice with that level of efficiency all year. It was incredibly encouraging to watch.
The final 5 mins of a 1 goal game tend to be a f***ing fire drill with us, but Calgary couldn't even gain the zone. Nor could they get a whistle. Markstrom couldn't even leave the cage until under a minute left in the game. Really strong defensive 2nd and 3rd periods. The fancy stats may not align with my synopsis, but I really felt like we were the better squad from the 2nd period onward, and we got progressively better as the game wore on. Markstrom made some incredible saves, and had he been off at any point in that game we may have been able to break this one open.
The good:
Woll - For those who read my posts in the prospect thread, I am not overly high on Woll. I've watched a ton of his AHL games last season and all of his NHL games and was never very high on him. He never read the game at an NHL level IMO. Something has systematically changed on that front. He looks outstanding in the games he's played for us this season. So calm in the blue, and he is really reading the shooters very well. It truly is incredible how far his game has come in just 1 year. Last night he was excellent once again
Schenn- Looked great. He's everything we need on the back end. Clean exits, great stretch passes T2T, Physical, shot blocking, and composed. Such a great feeling seeing him back.
Brodie/McCabe - this duo is going to be a force
Marner- Mitch doing Mitch things. Elite in every aspect.
Kerfoot: Credit where credit is due. He balled out yesterday. Was all over the sheet. Very noticeable in a good way
The bad:
Gustafson: Didn't look good on that opening GA. Pretty routine play that he failed to make. Other then that he as decent
7D/11F: Don't ever do this shit again
Honourable mention goes to Holl. Lots of noise surrounding his name, and it could very well be his last game as a bud, but I thought he played a solid game. Complete pro on his approach to the game yesterday. Whatever ends up happening today, I think Justin should be proud of where he has come in his time in our organization.
On to my home city! Vancouver
Go Leafs Go!
