Game for Demko and the foot soldiers. If you said to someone who had never seen the team before that the top guns were #40 and #43, they'd think you were kidding. Team was simply carried by the lower lines and Demko.
Good
Demko - again outstanding - game, in terms of chances, was not that uneven. But we got Demko stoning them and they got "Goalie Bob" making a beauty pass to Joshua.
Garland - never understood the fever to move this player. Probably the best skater in the game - stats aren't everything but nice +3 on the game. If anyone epitomizes the Canuck hustle this season its Garland andf you have to be rooting hard for him to start getting some goals.
Joshua - nice to get some scoring but what was better was the pk work. Finding a real niche on this team.
Blueger - sensational on pk and just an overall smart and effective game. Was our best center in this game. Pettersson should watch how he he keeps himself in the play and controls the middle of the ice.
Myers - Zadorov - this is the second player that Myers has team up to form a good NHL defensive pairing. Really like the way Zadorov is providing room for Myers. At the moment, I'd say they are one of the more effective defensive duos in the League.
Hronek - had to carry Hughes in this game. He is a little like Lidstrom (not saying as good) in his ability to cover his own end almost on his own and his ability to play while seldomly using a cross over.
Cole - so smart. He is allowing Juulsen to get by (and often do more than that) b/c of his excellent positioning. Cole has bounced back after a tough stretch.
Kuzmenko - saw little of the old Kuzmenko on the first goal. Not always great at it but there was a lot more attempt to get the puck out of his end along the side boards and to maintain puck possession.
Not Good
Hughes - something is wrong here. He can't take the body around the net and had consistent problems getting the puck up to the forwards. Florida had by far their best chances with him on the ice and it was only the terrific play of Hronek and Demko that bailed him out.
Pettersson - at this point I don't think the problems are as much physical as they are mental. Trying to make plays that aren't there and getting himself hung up along the boards. Took a hit late b/c he tried to play puck near the boards when the obvious play was to quickly slap the puck behind the net (where his linemates waited) and then spin away from the check and then back diagonally across the ice. Plays like this are happening all the time. Overhandling the puck, telegraphing passes (especially on the PP) , not seeing the play quick enough. If he would just start using his team mates better, he would make life easier for himself. But it always seems there is the extra look or dangle. He is, for some reason, and I do think its mental, trying to look good and ending up doing the opposite. He would save himself a lot of grief and help his team better by looking to facilate and looking to find gaps in the defense and stop forcing plays.
Pettersson seems a very high strung person who seems more fighting himself than anything else.
Hoglander - back to too much stop and go hockey leaving him out of the play. Few times he got sucked to the side, chasing the puck or a hit, and the puck was easily passed around him leaving him out of the play. Thought I saw Tocchet getting on him after he he made the wide arc in the offensive zone after the puck was moving back into the Canuck end. Hoglander can provide something but he is still a project overall. In the end, I think having a coach like Tochett will make a better and more complete player. Miller line was not very noticeable in this game.
Others
DiGuiseppe - one of his better games after a long poor stretch. Skated better and was quicker on the forcheck. Line with Suter was good at getting some o-zone time and keeping the puck out of their end
Suter - plays smart and an upgrade on Aman.
Maybe seems hard to be getting on players when you are winning but you wonder how good this team could be, if they got everyone playing up to their ability.
