Wow, I'm a little surprised reading as much negativity on here after the game tonight. FAR from a perfect game, but...I thought the compete level was good tonight, MUCH better than recently...the forecheck was much better than it has been recently...they forced turnovers, had a really decent amount of puck posession/time in the O-zone, and hustled for 60 minutes, for a change. They played smartly physical overall, as a team.
Sid's line rocked. Glad to see Stemps starting to mesh. Jokinen is in a funk, as is Malkin. I expect both to play better soon. That said, Malkin played VERY well defensively, tonight, in my opinion.
Gibbons played a heck of a game. His speed is really disruptive, when he uses it correctly. I thought Despres played fairly well; one turnover that hurt (which I saw several other players make as well -- puck sliding off his stick while attempting a pass), but overall had a fine game. His puck movement, physicality, and ability to get the puck out of danger really helps, when he's in. I did not like seeing Megna sat, but I liked seeing Pyatt sat; was also glad to see DB at least SPLIT UP Adams and Glass, but -- he still played them both, over Megna. Poor.
Overall, I was happy with this game -- and it was good to see a response from the team after an embarrassing weekend, and ALSO an embarrassing trip to Dallas 2 months ago...the team showed a pulse, a real pulse, and to me that is a positive.
The issues still exist; too many odd-man rushes, and the score could have been closer than it was as a result; DB is still not icing his best lineup, etc. etc. But, a much better effort that was much needed...
Hell, he even sat megna, LOL!!!!!!!
