Rewatched the game this morning and here are my thoughts
1. Number one star yet again was Varly. I dont like leaving him on an island every night BUT im also happy to see that he looks way more calm thus far then he did all last year. His rebound control seems to have improved overnight.
2. Mackinnon is gonna score soon. In fact im willing to say he scores in Toronto. I loved his game last night. Smart, fast and quicker decision makings then last game. He really does remind me of Mike Gartner for some reason. I dont know how many of you remember Mike but Mackinnon reminds me of him. The one thing I want Mackinnon to stop doing is that beaver tap. I hated playing with guys who did that on my teams. Hes a rookie and he wants that first goal just be patient kid it will come.
3. Steve Downie. We missed this guy alot last yr for the reasons hes displayed in games 1 and 2. He was everywhere last night involved in everything. He made a mark in both games thus far. Shea Weber and the rest of the Preds wanted to kill him bad.Seems like were making enemies every game and I love it. That hit was clean. Downie should not be suspended. I hope Josi is ok hes a hell of a dman.
4. I swear we lost every single important faceoff last night. Someone posted the stats that we were well above 50%(Duchene and Stastny) but I dont believe it. We lost every single offensive zone draw by my count.
5. ROR back check in the third period is the reason hes loved by all his coaches. He turned a 2 on 1 into a 2 on 2 in a matter of seconds due to his dogged determination. I love ROR and so does Roy.
6. I always love seeing Bords score. Our resident goon has more goals then Taylor Hall
7. Alot of weird calls last night from the refs. Especially the charge on Downie and the slash I think it was. The refs call on the preds for goalie interference was also kinda strange. Meh. We won so its no big deal
8. Nate Guenin. This guys been solid. Where the hell did he come from? He gets his shots through unlike another guy on our blue line.
9. Barrie was bad again. I know its early and I know hes playing on the left side but hes been bad. Just not the kinda start I expected out of him. He better get it going because we have Holden, Wilson and Hunny bunny just licking their chops to get in the line up.
10. Our D still needs help. Too many times last night we were pinned in. I do however like the quick puck movements in the offensive zone. Something we havent seen in the last 4 yrs. Also, Andre Benoit has come out of knowhere and become our second best D. I dont know if thats good, bad or sad.