Overall thoughts:
Not a good game as a whole, but the d-zone work was for the most part amazing. Finally the thang that Babs is preachin was evident. Work rate and will was there, but the speed was not. Exactly the type of game that I was expectin, but result was not and I'm happy that I was wrong. As a whole the gameplan was executed perfectly and it was simple. Other than that I'm still in a confused state of mind that where is our biggest asset. Speed.
But here's the grades (feedback is allways a good thing)
Goalies:
Curtis Mcelhinney A+
This is was a true warrior performance from CMac and exactly and more what backup should do when called upon. He still overplays a lot of the situations, but was very steady and calm which gave a boost for the squad. Didn't have a chance for a shutout but this is allmost like one.
Defenders:
Morgan Rielly: A
Once again best D on the ice for us and he's really took a multiple steps forward this season. Cannot underestimate the influence of Hainsey. Solid, good skatin, nice wrister's through the crowd and solid d-work aswell. NICE
Ron Hainsey: B+
The signing of the year. Nah that's lil bit too much, but a rock solid performance again and calm presence on the PK. Really nice passes aswell and a lot of communication between Rielly and him. Nice signing for sure.
Nikita Zaitsev: B-
Not bad either, but few bad passes drops his grade a lil bit. Got crushed by Vatrano and after that looked a lil too careful for my taste. Lives and plays with emotions and this case was not that good thing. Still +1 and aswell good on the PK
Jake Gardiner: B-
Got a lot of PP time but did not pass my eyetest on it. Was not bad as BAD, but did not play with his instincts. Showed a couple occassions where he skated like a beaty but other than that not as good as I would hoped. Can turn it around though and hopefully will.
Andreas Borgman: C
Not a good game for the swede, but lil bit better than the game before. Only played for lil over 11min and that's about enough of him. On the bright side I thought he was better than his partner.
Connor Carrick: C-
IMO the worst D in our squad last night. That does not mean he is a bad D, but last night he was outplayed so many times that it hurted my insides. He's positioning needs work and I dont see lots of chemistry with him and Borg. Still as because of the team effort only a C-
Forwards:
Patrick Marleau: B+
He really is a true and beneficial veteran and I'm happy for him. Plays with poise n extreme pro-attitude and knows the game inside n out. Scored again though and empty netter, but all-around solid performance. Not as good as night before but good.
Connor Brown: B
ES he was pretty invisible, but PK effort was a valiant one. I'm not that big of a fan seeing him play with Hyman, but still I really liked his effort and work rate. He's a lot faster than I thought at the start of the season.
Zach Hyman: A-
Second best forward tonight cuz he simply is a warrior and these games thats what you need all night long and he def delivered. PK is his bread and butter and one very unselfish pass to Marleau to seal the game. I still feel that Marleau is not the right one to partner him with. I would love to see Kadri and Hyman, but never gonna happen. GG Z
Nazem Kadri: B-
This was not a bad performance of Kadri but not a usual rock solid one either. Marchand got under his skin all night long and that caused a lot of problems from time to time. Still he is valuable building block and might be a contender to Selke at the end of the year. Needs to show more on away games. Not bad..
Leo Komarov: A+
By far the best forward tonight and I'm so happy for him. Everything he did was a positive one. This was so needed and so important for the future. He will not score 20 goals anymore, but with these actions he solidifies himself as The man in the play-offs. Kiitos Leo
William Nylander: C++
Breaks my heart to say this, but was our worst forward today. Slump continues and baaad. If we compare him to Pasta for example the difference was night and day. Of course their role was completely different, but something is missing and I think that is CONFIDENCE. He shots a lot, but with no IQ behind them and he's desperate just to score. He will bounce back 100% but this was off night for him.
Mitch Marner: A
The wizard is back and that makes me sooooo happy
He starts to skate more and gains confidence a lot through these two games. Was a threat all night and maybe our best offensive forward today aswell. WHAT A SNIPE. Sky's the limit and beyond. LIKED HIM !!!
Matt Martin: B+
When you need a warrior you ask for this man. I dont get the hate fully, but this game exemplifies what MM is allabout. Really tough and gritty all night and I liked him all night long.
Dominic Moore: B-
Who knew that this guy starts to grow on me. Very nice night again and showed his speed a couple of times. Battled hard and had a few chances, but was brutal on the FO-circle (20%)
Josh Leivo: C
Did not like him and did not see him. He's good at the boards but that is all... He was slow and disinterested. He's shot at the lineup is extrathin when AM comes back and I think that is just a good thing. Come at me, but thats just my opinion.
Am I completely wrong or whattya think bruthas and sisters !
