IMO the poor start was a symptom of not playing teams for the last little bit that can actually burn you on your mistakes. They more or less played the same way they did in the last few to start, difference being the Blackhawks, Red Wings and Canadiens can't torch you on transition the same way. Once we buttoned it down it didn't become a problem anymore and we did a good job the rest of the way more or less. Leafs couldn't produce anything that wasn't handed to them.
Skinner was outstanding, especially when we were walking in the front door of their trap and turning it over for fun in the first 5-10 mins. This is the type of goaltending we've been waiting for for a long time and this is the type of goaltending that wins you Stanley Cups. This game is over 10 mins into it if he isn't on point.
I haven't been afraid to defend Kane, but it's at the point now where the stupidity has to be called out. He cannot play the minutes he's playing in the role he's playing in managing the puck like he did last night. Him and Drai both have caused me to lose hair because you can see both of them about to telegraph a terrible pass before it even happens. Neither of them seem to ever consider risk whatsoever prior to ripping the puck somewhere random. They have zero chemistry together in the current set up with a plug playing on their RW.
Having said all that, I think that Kane can play on a line with Drai and play well there, but there absolutely has to be a player with speed and skill on the RW, not the revolving door of Foegele/Brown/Janmark. Even a RW version of McLeod would probably be enough, don't even need a world beater. IMO a true top 6 right wing that can skate and handle the puck should be priority #1 because it accomplishes so much. Puts Kane/Drai in a position to play with each other without making each other massive liabilities, pushes McLeod & Foegele down to the third line where they are much better suited, and ends the game of musical chairs we are playing with the middle 6.
