Rough third but getting a win out with this increasingly injured riddled, rag tag group, is pretty amazing.
Loss would have been devastating but even the OT win leaves us living on fumes.
Good
Pettersson - has made a great adjustment to the wing and has been surprisingly effective along the boards. Is becoming what we hoped him to be
Podkolzin - another strong game. Took the puck to the net well but the most impressive thing was his ability to move the puck quickly to create chances for others. By next season you'd think he has to be on the top line.
OEL - is playing some of his best hockey of the year. Allowed for controlled outlet coming out of his zone all night and was good around his net. Rightfully replaced Hughes on the first PP for much of the game. Likely should be left there. Myers and him are playing like a top pairing over the recent run.
Garland - not his most effective game but given his play in OT, he was important. All year I thought he should have been out in 3 on 3 OT instead of Boeser and tonight showed that opinion was probably correct.
Demko - might have had the tying goal but otherwise made some critical saves.
Horvat - playing his strongest hockey of the season and central to the win streak. Erasing most of the concerns I and others had about him during earlier parts of the season.
Not so good
Miller - is living proof of the adage that physical fatigue leads to mental fatigue. Just too many bone headed passes and plays leading directly to outstanding chances against. Difficult, however, to criticize a player that has done so much to put this team in a position where they have chance. Not a great chance but a chance.
Dickinson - continues to do virtually nothing and loses every puck battle.
Sadly: Richardson >>>>>>>Dickinson
Other
Lockwood - some good, some bad. Needs to improve defensive decision making - especially in recognizing the immediate danger. Don't think, at this point, he is better than Motte or Highmore but he is in that conversation
Hughes - obviously still recovering from illness. Not as strong or quick along the boards as he has been for most of the season. Nice he scored the winner and showed good touch there.
Hunt - made consistently good plays when he was out. Bit of untold story is his unexpected importance to the team.
Dreis - didn't think he looked as good as Petan has looked over the last while. Doubt he has the size or range in his play to compete well at this level.
Can't see how Boudreau, who has got so much out of players so little could be expected from, can be let go. He has to get a ton of credit for the team record since he took over. Also, emphasizes how poor Green was and how I, among others, didn't see clearly enough the problem that Green was.