Kind of a quick one today - The gang got back in the win column, and now we sit and wait for two weeks for them to get healthy, get some new pieces, and go on a heater. Right, guys? RIGHT??!
The juxtaposition of this game vs Vegas was world of difference: just better connected, better forecheck, better chances and most importantly, better finishing. However, they still got out chanced, out shot, and out possesioned and there is still a lot to work on and get back to the team we all saw in the fall.
Our first two goals came from sustained forecheck and cycling which was refreshing to see. Nice job by the 4th line on our first goal, wearing their D down, and Tuna with a seeing eye pass to Bratt in the slot who ripped one home. Chris and I got into an argument about Bratt on the pod last night (you should listen, what else are you gonna do!) and while I am aware he hasn't been putting the puck in the net, his playmaking has been consistent and high end all season and is on pace for 90-ish points. Assists count and it doesn't matter how they come since we have a serious scoring problem. Argue with a wall. The second goal was similar, and via an incredible effort by Jack dancing Armia on the boards, and hitting Bratt int he slot with a falling down, backhand pass. Cotter finds the rebound and just full effort, from his knees finish. Loved this goal, strong efforts all around.
Once again, Jake Allen was outstanding stopping all 34 shots he faced. Since Marky went down he has a .934 sv. pct, .875 HD danger sv. pct and has saved just over 10 Goals above expected. That GSAE now puts him at 9th in the league and has now solidified himself as the best backup in the league. He has played himself into a new contract next season - BUT it should not be with us.
Our PK has been the one thing that has held up all season, consistently producing excellent outcomes, limiting chances and shots, and now... now we have a lethal counter attack. That PK at the start of the 3rd was probably the most important part of the game, they put one in there and this game has a different feel to it. Instead, our new PK menace Jack Hughes gets a 2 on 1 break after a FANTASTIC effort from Pesce in bullying Dach off the puck and finding Jacky boy. Bratt did an excellent decoy job, and Jack made no mistake with a snipe show top corner. What a goal. That is now 18 straight kills, and we sit 3rd in the league and haven't really wavered from that spot all season. And if Jack has learned PK..., hoo boy it is OVERR for you losers.
The emergence of Jack and Bratt have marginalized Mercer on the PK who has gone from the PK1 unit to the PK3 unit and continues his struggles along the boards and in clearances at full strength. Mercer - Haula - Meier got caved in to the tune of an 8.78% xGF. That is bad m'kay. Almost every time it was Mercer botching a clearance on the RW boards. I have wanted nothing more than for this kid to succeed here but if we are upgrading scoring (Rakell, McCann, Boeser) Mercer should be the center piece going the other way to make the money work. I say that because I don't see Palat being an option based on his NMC and frankly that would be a shitty thing to do to a guy that just had an ICU baby.
Nemec had a MUCH better game. He had two lovely stretch passes in the first, but still has a tendency to go a bit rogue. He needs to find that balance and pick his spots which he did well. I think there was a wee bit of over reaction on the ole social media after Nemec's first game back, let's see more form this kid prior to writing him off.
So we enter the break struggling a bit, but are still in good shape standings wise. We are still 2 points behind Carolina with one more game played and some good breathing room ahead on Columbus who has been scuffling after losing Marchenko. I don't see any way around it - we are on a collision course with Carolina in round 1 with the Caps continuing on their PDO bender.
Eat a dick Valiquette, the Rangers still stink you loser.
