1) What a game from Kevan Miller, he was awesome. Welcome back
2) Grzelcyk looked VERY good. One thing that really caught my eye was his increased willingness to shoot on the powerplay. I personally thought that was his biggest issue on the powerplay, but last night looked encouraging
3) Well I'll be damned, Nick Ritchie didn't have that bad of a game! Had a few opportunities to score and put one of them in the back of the net.
4) Zboril...wow! Looked pretty good! The tools are clearly there. Jeremy Lauzon wasn't necessarily bad, I would just say he was OK.
5) Second line didn't look like they were clicking that much. Jack Studnicka on the first line looked a bit nervous. Third line was pretty solid for the most part. I thought the 4th line was underrated, Frederic wasn't incredibly noticeable, but when you did notice him, he was doing something helpful. I would say each line had their fair shares of good opportunities, I just thought the second line was the most underwhelming out of all
6) Rask was awesome. That game tying goal from the Devils was very flukey, nothing he can do about that.
FOR THE RECORD
-Players that are listed on the rusty category doesn't mean they were necessarily BAD. It's only Game 1, I expected some players to catch their feet.
Let me know who you thought were great,good,bad,hideous,atrocious, whatever last night. Bruins win!
PS- Mackenzie Blackwood...what a great young goaltender.
4th line was good. Unfortunately, Frederic is likely out if Smith is ready.
More than likely. Unfortunate because I believe Frederic will click better with that fourth line than Bjork will. But who knows, the trial and error process has begun
I thought Coyle and Kase were solid just no finish and luck for Kase
That's fair, I just didn't label them as among the better forwards last night. They didn't necessarily hurt the team which is a good thing. Only Game 1 though, I just expect that second line to start generating a bit more
That third pair looked really solid... Zboril was really poised with the puck. Seemed eager to get SOG and maybe forced a few, but he looked comfortable in his own end and transition. Kase obviously lacked finish, but his puck pursuit and forechecking was solid as well. biggest disappointment for me was studnicka, just got hit off of a lot of pucks, seemed to have trouble making plays through the neutral zone. Hopefully he bounces back Saturday
That third pair looked really solid... Zboril was really poised with the puck. Seemed eager to get SOG and maybe forced a few, but he looked comfortable in his own end and transition. Kase obviously lacked finish, but his puck pursuit and forechecking was solid as well. biggest disappointment for me was studnicka, just got hit off of a lot of pucks, seemed to have trouble making plays through the neutral zone. Hopefully he bounces back Saturday
Very well said! At least Kase is quite active for someone who can't seem to put the puck in the net. I'd rather have him be somewhat visible and snakebitten vs someone who's invisible and snakebitten. I also agree about Studnicka, unfortunately probably the least productive forward on the ice. Only game 1 though and still such a young kid, next game can do wonders
Very well said! At least Kase is quite active for someone who can't seem to put the puck in the net. I'd rather have him be somewhat visible and snakebitten vs someone who's invisible and snakebitten. I also agree about Studnicka, unfortunately probably the least productive forward on the ice. Only game 1 though and still such a young kid, next game can do wonders
Thanks! and Totally agree on Kase, i think he'll come along well. As well as Studnicka, i would expect him to bounce back. Hoping Lauzon can clean up some of his details as well. Im optimistic about this team though. Should be an entertaining year regardless!
Studnicka's game belongs at center. Lauzon is in over his head right now if he's on the first pairing but you have to give him a chance to grow and see what you have moving forward.
I found frederic to be very noticeable. He had a good active stick, finished his checks, got in the passing lanes, had his legs, played with an edge. Maybe near the end of the game he became less noticeable but damn the first half of the game he was very impactful. He should be in the league, too bad there's no room. Personally would rather have frederic > bjork on 4lw but bjork is making 1.6mil