I've said it a thousand times, hockey is a maddening, unpredictable game. 14 times this year we have outshot our opponents by 10 or more shots. And in those 14 games we are 5-8-1. We've now been outshot by more than 10 shots 4 games. And in those 4 games we are now, get this, 4-0-0. (MTL, BUF, ANA, OTT). It's not about possession, it's about being opportunistic when you get the chances you do. Tonight we were highly opportunistic.
...Weber, now leading the entire league in points scored in December. 13 in 11 games. Josi is second in the league with 11 points in 11 games. We have never in our history had a single player lead the league in points scored in a month. and we're 1-2.
...Rinne with 4 fantastic stops in the first and second when this was close.
...Josi is just flat out spectacular. Almost every night.
...We won this game despite real trouble handling their forecheck, especially the Jones-Jackman pair. Jones with 3 charged giveaways. Could easily have been more.
...Probably the weakest game from the Arvidsson-Sissons-Hodgson line as well.
...Didn't hurt us tonight, but we are 9-3-3 in games we don't allow a PP goal. It's why I constantly harp on the PK.
...Wilson. Not even counting the empty netter, he played a good game. 2 first assists, including a fine one on Jarnkrok's goal.
...More Wilson. Many times I've seen empty net goals or easy tap ins for guys slumping horribly be the little thing that turns a guy around. You see it in sports like basketball, when good shooters go ice cold and a simple layup or free throw made gets them back on track. Here's hoping for the return of last year's Wilson.
...Jarnkrok. another guy with a solid two point game. One of the few with more goals at this point of the season than same point last year.
...The powerplay. Sure it might be all Weber and Josi, and it is, but this thing is smoking hot right now.
...Only fitting that the second unit finally gets one in and it's 3 seconds after the pp expires and doesn't count as one.
...The defense continues to amaze with their league leading 27 goals total.
...Ribeiro, Neal, Forsberg each with a point (all 3 cheaper secondary assists) even though they only managed 1 shot between all three combined.
...Really hoped that Ellis goal had gone off Smith. Sure looked like it did live (though I see it obviously didn't on replay). We all know how streaky he is and you always hope a goal will mean 3-4 more in a short period of time.
...A great night to get another win, gaining on so many Central teams. Despite all the handwringing we're still right there in the mix.
Another example of how you're never as bad as you look during a losing streak. A great way to head into Christmas.