At this point, getting a win is really all that matters - it was pretty ugly, they grinded it out, and even though it was just one day, we sit in a much more comfortable standings position with CBJ and Carolina losing.
Just a slog of a game - a slow old team vs a slow injured team. Low event, neither team played particularly well, and the first was pretty boring. They did seeeeem to get back to what Keefe has been preaching, and what we got away from against Buffalo - patience. Keefe discussed it pre-game - get back to taking care of the defensive structure and coverage first, and the rest will come. Well that second part didn't fucking happen, we are not a good forechecking team and it is really killing our offense. We dump it in a lot, about half the time, but haven't been particularly good at pressuring and retrievals. Last night was a little better, particularly Haula and Palat, but we have some real NPC forecheckers. One thing that drives me nuts is this stretch pass-tip-dump-in. It just doesn't work, our forwards are too stationary and have no speed getting into the zone.
We got one late, very late, on a net front scramble that went to Bratt then Jack then Bratt but it was really Rakell (who was very good in this audition, a girl can dream). I will say, we have been getting several grindy hard working goals on scrambles like this, and it's a good thing to see Jack's line get one. We did dodge 1-0 them on a clear kick-in by Rakel that took a little too long to review, I thought we were in danger the longer it went on.
We had a clean sheet on the PK again, and as much shit as we give Bastian, he was very good here and provides a lot of value shorthanded. He had 2 key blocks on the first one and a few good clears. He stinks offensively, and had a hilarious fumble on a zone entry, but if he plays a strong defensive game that is all we ask. Curtis was good on the PK as well, but overall he has gotten a free pass for how bad he has been as a 4C and I really think him at center drags that line down - his xGF% was 11%. Bastian and Tuna weren't better either numbers wise at 5v5. Since that 2 game run a week ago, they have been pretty bad again and last night got pinned several times out there against whatever geriatric trio the Pens put out.
A funny little sub-plot was noted FO stud Haula got cooked by Sid on face offs, going 0 for 9, meanwhile noted softie in the dot Jack Hughes went 6 for 8 against Sid. That's hockey baby. One of those wins included a sexy time 4-on-4 Jack FO, Bratt seam pass, Jack one-timer goal that made it move. Our power play hasn't been able to convert the last two games, and I was almost happy to see 4 on 4 vs 5 on 4, they looked much more effective. Maybe Palat should take more PP penalties until Nico is back: It's called strategy people look it up.
The first goal was the highlight of Rakell's audition, stealing the puck from Daws and Dillon, and finishing a nice little wrap-around. Daws probably wants that one back as he was too casual trying to corrall it and slow to get post to post. Dillon, not sure what you're doing there bud, but you gotta take Rakell out of it and not just stare at the puck dude. At some point I'll talk about Dillon because I have mixed feelings.
Well at least Jack and Bratt look good 4 on 4, our other unit let them back into this one, with them getting the tying goal on a nice bang-bang play on a 4 on 4. Maybe Timo can do a better job tracking Hayes, maybe Pesce can break that up. But once again, I am begging you Dawson Mercer to put on some muscle. Hey remember when Fitz mentioned him by name as someone who needs to get in the gym? Yeah that shit didn't happen, he just went fishing. He got bodied by Beauvillier way too easily and needs to be stronger on him there and not allow just such an easy pass in front. If Mercer is in a trade package I won't blink twice about it.
Ugh, so the elephant in the room is the injury to Jonas. We heard the dreaded "He'll miss some time" from Keefe, and if I use my decoder ring that means a month at least and non contact injuries are the worst. Jonas clearly caught a rut, and what the fuck is up wtih your ice, PPG? The Igloo would never. He is still getting evaluated, but I cannot express how massive a loss this is. After last season I was on the fence about who would be better to keep - Marino or Siegs - and I was wayyyy wrong. He has been a top 5 defensive D in the league, sitting 4th in xGA/60 at 5v5. He is at the center of every scrum against, gets the hardest minutes against top lines, and is a massive PK minute eater.
The D Corps did respond well down a guy, which is tough to do with constantly mixed up pairings and heavy usage. Luke played almost half the game @ 29:45 min of ice time, with Dillon clocking in @ 26 min. This will be a good opportunity for Luke to elevate the defensive progress he has made and he did a great job last night - he is just impossible to get around or through. In terms of call-ups there are a few different ways this can go. The obvious answer is Nemec, but it's important to note that Hatakka has been skating with a regular Jersey, Colton White has been the 7th guy most of the season, and Misyul has been playing well. It really hinges on whether Pesce can slide over and play his off-side and how much stock Keefe puts into handed-ness, which I personally think matters A LOT. Also, it's important to consider play-style, as Siegs was our best shut down guy. Do they try and replicate him somewhat with a White or Hatakka or Misyul? Personally, I like the Nemec move - gives him something to prove and provides an offensive boost (that we sorely need), while distributing the defensive burden to Dillon, Luke, and Pesce on the left side.
Another injury call-up means more cap space eaten up. I do believe Fitz has some things working - I mentioned Rakell above which is unlikely - but we are looking at under 1MM right now and about a 4MM player at deadline time before a call-up even happens. Jake Evans or something similar looks more and more likely as the add here as cap space gets eaten up and I really don't think Fitz will move Mercer, even though he should.
The OT was generally boring, and PItt ragged the puck for nearly 5 minutes. The most exciting plays were in the last 15 seconds, with Cotter breaking up a 3 on 1 with a nice stick-in-lane, and Jack getting robbed on a breakaway.
Shoot out grades:
Nico Daws: A+
Cotter: A
Bratt: C+
Dougie: A
Timo: A
Luke: D
Jack: FFFFF-
One of the greatest mysteries in the world is Jack's inability to even get a fucking shot off on penalty shots. How embarrassing.
Daws was very competent in his debut, his best stop coming on Hayes in the SO, who had him dead to rights. If you recall, this sicko actually said he really likes breakaways. His overall game was solid, got us through the first and weathered the storm in the 3rd, stopping 25 of 27 (.926%) and was my first star. He made a couple of very strong stops during the game, but nothing spectacular or jaw dropping. Good, solid goaltending and having a viable #3 is important.
Next, Vegas comes to town, who has been scuffling themselves with 2 straight losses, and going 2-5-3 in their last 10. I would like to see a stronger, more committed, more physical effort as Vegas can run us out of our own building if we play like that again. This is a very interesting measuring stick game. We are still 4-2 in our last 6 though, and sit at my made up good team/bad team line of .600 win pct. Please win again you assholes, it's pretty gloomy out here.
Almost forgot... Valiquette, your team still sucks.
LGD
