Adam Michaels
Registered User
I'm not sold on a small sample size. I'm not a fan, but if he proves me wrong I'll give him his due. Shoveling in 2 rebounds and tapping a puck in that was rolling in anyways doesn't confirm it for me. I still think those two would be better served with a player that can stick handle and regularly receive a pass without turning it over. But if his shoveling the puck forward/pinball style ends up being effective in the new NHL with no hooking to the hands (i.e. players with stickhandling ability and speed can shine) so be it.
The sample size includes last year too. Before his injury, he was playing like he has the last few games and he was very effective then, too. As soon as he has a few bad calls, a lot of people throw it all out the window and forget he is good when he's focused on his game.
The Shaw that has played with Domi/Drouin isn't new.
Also, who cares about stick handling abilities if the results are there? So he shovels a few rebounds in, it's like you're not content that it's a goal, you want it to be a specific type of goal.
And btw, the first goal he scored against Vegas, if he wasn't there to sweep it by Fleury, there's no goal. His second goal against Vegas, if he wasn't in front of the net to pick up the rebound from Domi's shot, there is no goal. His goal against Buffalo, even if the puck was trickling its way to the net, the fact he was there to ensure it went in is a positive. Not to mention, he and Domi aggressively won back the puck preventing Buffalo from clearing the zone. We shouldn't undermine his contribution on thag line right now because he's not the greatest stick handler.
Shaw is great on the forecheck, creates a lot of turnovers, creates havoc around the net, and is very good in the face-off circle. His game at this moment, is creating room for Domi and Drouin.
These last two games, Domi has 5 pts (5A), Drouin has 3 pts (1G, 2A), and Shaw has 3 pts (3G).
At some point, this could run its course and that's fine. But it's working now.
This is one of the qualities in the Habs line-up right now. They have a bunch of wingers who can move up and down the line-up and will simply slot right in. Wingers like Shaw, Byron, Lehkonen, and Hudon.