Tonights win shows the fine line between winning and losing and how important it is for your goalie to make a few key saves at the right times. I agree with Jim in that we won tonight because of Cory. If he's just average, this game easily goes into OT or else we lose in regulation.
Some other observations:
1. Shocked Josefson had so little playing time because I noticed him alot tonight. Had a few chances.
2. Helgeson had a decent first game and again, I noticed the nastiness he played with around the net. That is something this team severely lacks. Sal tries to be physical but remember, he's a nice guy, not a nasty guy.
3. More Deboer poor personnel choices. Killing a penalty in our own zone and the forwards are Gionta and Elias, our two worst faceoff centermen.
4. Cammalleri is the sparkplug that makes this offense go. Without him, we're a bunch of lost puppies.
5. Not sure who was on the ice but the D lets Vanek get behind them for a breakaway with 5 minutes to go up by 1. That's just inexcusable and hopefully, it was the rookies who learn from their mistakes but I wouldn't be surprised to hear it was Zidlicky. We'll have to live with a few mistakes but with the game on the line, they need to consciously tighten up.
6. Bruner is still very lost out there and I still don;t see how he fits within this system.
7. Havlat set up Elias quite a bit and played well. Have heard rumors Patty's nursing an injury (knee?) and he does look rather slow on the ice but he's not been quick in a while. He thrives on making smart plays and having good anticipation. He just looks more disinterested than his usual quiet calm and he seems to be missing by just a step - possibly a sign of age catching up with him a little.
That all sai, I think we get killed by washington 5-2 with Wash getting two power play goals. I'm hopeful and glad they won, but haven't seen anything to make me thing they're playing better - Cory just made a few stops and we won. When has to not make so many highlight reel saves, I'll start having more confidence.