After some real dogs of games in the last while, that was refreshing. Can't like how the team got bounced around but can like the way they showed no quit.
Liked
Sbisa - long before the OT winner was having a very good game. Looked more mobile and a lot more assertive on the offense. Confidence is going to play a big part in this player's game.
Kenins - as he showed in Utica he is very good on the back check. Comes back through the middle as good as anyone on the team. Again went well to the body. Goals have looked a little lucky. Thought he had better chances to score in his first game, but, overall, nice to see him getting chances. Don't think he will ever be as good, but I'll stick with my Mike Keane comparison.
Lack - made some clutch saves. Nice to see him get a win.
Horvat - worked well with Kenins in establishing a strong forcheck. Should keep those players together
Did Not Like
Hamhuis - terrible game. You wonder if the injury is going to bother him all season. Fighting the puck all game and lacked speed to recover from mistakes.
Hansen - has been fading and tonight was not good. Falling down on his pivots like he does when his game tails off. Got virtually nothing done in this game.
Bonino - seemed like every shift he was in his end and struggling to get the puck out. Lots of turnovers in critical areas of the ice.
Vey - big hard hitting team like Winnipeg exposes Vey. Bumped around too much and did not play very well in traffic
Other comments
Kudos to Dorsett for again going with anyone to protect the team. Too bad he doesn't have more support. Thought his game suffered after the fight.
Glendening is exactly as advertised. Good strategic puck movement but weak down low in his own end. Has difficulty separating people from the puck and often responds to pressure but simply flipping the puck out. Jury is absolutely still out on this player but looks very much like a player who will be great at the minor pro level and marginal at the NHL level. Has to get more mobile.
Burrows plays much better when with the Sedins. When he is not with them cannot create much.
Desjardins should IMO be more interested in building up rather than tearing down Kassian. Kassian hasn't been that good and probably the scratch is deserved. But, if you take any long term view, Desjardins must be concerned with getting Kassian back to the level he showed last season. Benching him won't do that and there are others deserving of some PB times.
Liked
Sbisa - long before the OT winner was having a very good game. Looked more mobile and a lot more assertive on the offense. Confidence is going to play a big part in this player's game.
Kenins - as he showed in Utica he is very good on the back check. Comes back through the middle as good as anyone on the team. Again went well to the body. Goals have looked a little lucky. Thought he had better chances to score in his first game, but, overall, nice to see him getting chances. Don't think he will ever be as good, but I'll stick with my Mike Keane comparison.
Lack - made some clutch saves. Nice to see him get a win.
Horvat - worked well with Kenins in establishing a strong forcheck. Should keep those players together
Did Not Like
Hamhuis - terrible game. You wonder if the injury is going to bother him all season. Fighting the puck all game and lacked speed to recover from mistakes.
Hansen - has been fading and tonight was not good. Falling down on his pivots like he does when his game tails off. Got virtually nothing done in this game.
Bonino - seemed like every shift he was in his end and struggling to get the puck out. Lots of turnovers in critical areas of the ice.
Vey - big hard hitting team like Winnipeg exposes Vey. Bumped around too much and did not play very well in traffic
Other comments
Kudos to Dorsett for again going with anyone to protect the team. Too bad he doesn't have more support. Thought his game suffered after the fight.
Glendening is exactly as advertised. Good strategic puck movement but weak down low in his own end. Has difficulty separating people from the puck and often responds to pressure but simply flipping the puck out. Jury is absolutely still out on this player but looks very much like a player who will be great at the minor pro level and marginal at the NHL level. Has to get more mobile.
Burrows plays much better when with the Sedins. When he is not with them cannot create much.
Desjardins should IMO be more interested in building up rather than tearing down Kassian. Kassian hasn't been that good and probably the scratch is deserved. But, if you take any long term view, Desjardins must be concerned with getting Kassian back to the level he showed last season. Benching him won't do that and there are others deserving of some PB times.
