This team continues to have no finish outside the top line guys. When they don’t score a couple goals the Avs usually don’t win. Made Mrazek look like Patrick Roy with how often they shot into his chest and pads.
Bednar has this team playing so mechanical. All they do is try to skate the puck in, then if they don’t get a shot off the rush, they just go on the cycle, and dish it back to the D for a point shot. Rinse, wash, repeat. All game every game. When an opposing coach stacks their blueline with 3-4 guys, they refuse to dump the puck in. When another coach clogs the shooting lanes and they block all the shots from the point, they don’t adjust at all.
Brassard with an awful game in this one. So many bad passes and turnovers. Then he gave up on the EN play when he could have got back to stop it. They need him to be a leader, and to make smart offensive plays with the puck. Hopefully he makes up for it next game.
Cole continues to be bad. Someone needs to tell him he’s not Chris Pronger because his outlet passes are just atrocious. That doesn’t stop him from icing the puck and turning it over though.
Wilson and Calvert continue to work hard but miss glorious chances. They’re basically guaranteed to miss when they get a grade A chance. Wilson misses on his breakaway, then has a wide open net and manages to shoot the puck into Mrazek’s pads.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think these guys are intentionally trying to miss, their shots are so bad. I think what’s happening is they’re scared they’re gonna miss the net wide and embarrass themselves, so they just shoot into the center of the net every game. That’s unacceptable at the NHL level though.
Grubauer with a decent game again. Didn’t make the big save on Hamilton from the top of the slot but it was a good shot, and he made some good saves outside of that. Think I’d go back to Varly after this though to see how he rebounds.
Speaking of Grubauer, who the hell isn’t doing their jobs by screwing in the goalie’s skate blade? That’s two out of the last three games where the blade came loose. That never happens.
Another misread by Nemeth leads to the 1st goal. EJ's penalty was bad, but they were all in position to recover well. All Nemeth had to do is slide back into the slot, and let EJ take the puck carrier, but he aggressively steps up and leaves Soderberg all by himself to defend the 2 on 1.
Mikko couldn’t have played that 2nd Canes goal any worse. Lets his man go, then tries to play the man at the point, but he’s not anywhere close enough to do anything. Basically made himself completely useless on the play, and left Grubauer out to dry.
Best player by far was Barrie in this one. Finally he seemed to get his competitive juices going, even though that seemed to disappear in the 3rd period, and turnovers seemed to reappear. Didn’t seem to have his finishing touch in this one either.
I continue to be mystified at what Agozzino, Ghetto, and Bourque are providing to this team that Greer and Toninato aren’t.
Just like the Buffalo game, the Canes didn’t even play that well IMO. They had their opportunity to gain ground on Minny with their loss, and they completely dropped the ball. Fans should have booed them off the ice getting shut out in a huge game again. That dressing room should be embarrassed by that, and come out pissed off next game if they have any pride at all.