I agree pretty much with Blanick's write-up so part of this may end up looking like I have plagarised his work but what the heck, I am going to go ahead and provide my thoughts about opening night anyway. Albeit not with the same hockey nous as others around here:
* McDavid shouldn't feel too upset that he didn't light the lamp.... I mean the NHL's main man Crosby has been in the league for 10 years and still hasn't scored diddly squat against us.
* Loved that a Hitchcock coached team featured a forward line of Fabbri-Lehtera-Schwartz and a d-pairing of Edmundson-Parayko. Must admit I doubted whether we'd see Hitchock show that much faith in our 2 rookie D.
* The first line looked so bloody threatening on just about every shift. It is such a blessing to have a weapon like Tarasenko. He makes a 1-0 deficit seem so much less stressful these days.
* Hypothetically, if Parayko and Edmundson were fighting for the one spot then advantage Parayko he seemed that little bit more poised to me but Edmundson by no means disgraced himself. In fact I was much more comfortable with that 3rd d-pairing than some of the 3rd d-pairings we have rolled out in seasons past. There were a few anxious moments but I hope that management continues to keep the faith with our two kid D with Bortuzzo getting the occasional rotation in.
* I thought Pietrangelo was absolutely brilliant. The own goal was unfortunate but with the exception of that slight blunder man he was unreal I thought.
* Schwartz also lifted his game from, at least from what I had seen, had been a pretty underwhelming preseason. I think Fabbri will learn tons playing on a line with Jaden.
* Initially I thought Fabbri was struggling to adjust, he seemed to be running into obstacles at every turn early but as the game wore on he found a little more space, won a few battles and that goal, bugger me that goal was just a great goal scorer's goal- stick on the ice, anticipating the most clever of passes from Lehtera and just buried it. Beautiful, the first of many I am sure.
* Thought Jaskin was great and will benefit in games against bigger opponents if he gets rotated onto the Schwartz-Lehtera line. Have no doubts he'll get his 20.
* Backes was just monstering McDavid in the faceoff circle. The perfect illustration to Connor that he isn't playing with kids anymore. This is a man's league.
* Gotta be honest I was, and remain, a HUGE Oshie fan but I pretty much forgot he was missing (except when Lehtera fell on his ass...figured that was Osh). I expect him to do well in Washington but I have to say I don't expect his absence is going to negatively affect this team whatsoever. Fabbri and Jaskin, not to mention Brouwer, will pick up the (regular season) slack.
*Won't lie I didn't miss Jackman out there, not one bit.
* Some of Lehtera's shifts worry me. He just seems to lag, to run out of juice much earlier than others on the back of slightly longer than average shifts sometimes.
* I think Brodziak will end up being a fantastic addition to this squad and a crucial piece if we are to advance past round 1 of the playoffs. Didn't he start off on the right skate? Very solid performance on the 4th line and a great shot that rattled off the post. So close! Also credit where credit is due- Ott was good. Reaves... meh.
* I want Steen off the point on the PP. Hate it.
That's about it, great to start with a W with the 6 game road trip to come. I see the central did what the central does and won all their games against non-divisional opponents. Going to be a dogfight yet again in hockey's hardest division. Lets go into Minny and toast 'em.
