ANOTHER shutout for the absolute stud Carter Hart. He looked rock solid in this game and is one of if not the biggest reason we’re all celebrating a 3-1 series lead now. While I’m sure we’re all breathing a little easier now, there were some issues that we need to get a grip on sooner rather than later. And I’m not even thinking about bringing up those power play struggles; but I will quickly say I’m visibly angry when we’re given one now; but seriously they aren’t worth talking about. Everyone can see it and while it is important to get it going I’d gladly take a strong penalty kill over it any day.
One thing that we’ve been guilty of all year and there seems to be little change being made to correct this is our lazy cross ice passes. Especially those coming out of our own zone into center ice. Provorov on more than one occasion tonight looked noticeably sloppy. Not only was he guilty of haphazard slaps into neutral ice but he also is responsible for some very dangerous turnovers that could have proved costly had it not been for the young Canadian heartthrob that is Carter Hart. We won’t always have the pucks going our way and we need to be able to iron out these mistakes to avoid embarrassment in the future.
That Snipe by Raffl was a thing of beauty. First the drop pass from Coots and then a top corner finisher from the man himself #12. Nothing could be sweeter. You should’ve seen the crowd: literal stunned silence. And that lucky goal for Meyers was nothing to scoff at. While it would’ve otherwise missed the net there is still something to be said about sending the puck in a general net-ward direction. It works! People are screaming for this team to have an offensive explosion, but they are missing the tough gritty team that’s priming itself to win beyond this series. It would be nice to see us skate off with a 10 goal win, but realistically, that style can’t last. A hot goalie or a team playing the kind of hockey we’re slowly perfecting would beat us out in a 7 game series.
Our team is fearless and Shea Weber knows it. A quick cheers to Hagg, Raffl, and Thompson for those blocked shots
I never thought I would think this when the deals were made, but Nate Thompson deserves to be in this lineup more so than Derek Grant. While yes they do both have a roster spot in hand now, I wouldn’t mind seeing Grant removed for someone like Aube-Kubel or even to throw JVR back into the mix. Reemer’s passing is much better and you can keep the size (even if he doesn’t use it). However, I think NAK plays with the kind of intensity we need even if he is a bit smaller. With Bunnaman playing solid hockey tonight I see no reason to keep Grant around just because he can play C. He’s reliable to extent, but I feel like his turnovers could be very costly later and his game aside from physically leaves much to be desired. He played with top line guys and wasn’t just invisible, but actively killed rushes for the team.
A side-note I am so pleasantly surprised with Pitlick. He played really well this year and he’s playing even better in these playoffs. He just looks so smooth and confident. Yes he makes his share of mistakes and isn’t one of our top guys, but I would argue he might be our best bottom 6 guy by far.
The defense looked great. Sanheim in particular was everywhere tonight up and down the ice and was strong throughout. Despite how I picked on Provy above he still played a good game, he’s the franchise defenseman for a reason and even when he makes a couple mistakes he still makes play after play that just further proves that title is well-deserved. Meyers, Nisky, Braun, and Hagg all played great and our defense kept their heads on despite the Canadiens’ attempts to short pass their way around.
Our Forecheck also looked much better tonight and has been getting better and better for the full 60 each passing game.
We’re really taking our struggles seriously this series and fixing them as we go. AV has this squad set up to control their own destiny and I would almost wish to play out all seven games against Montreal just because all of those meaningful games would do us so much good towards making a real push. However, the fan in me really wants a win tomorrow night and to move on as soon as possible. All in all this was a really nice win for the boys and everyone contributed. The severity of the changes that need to be made are shrinking and this team is regaining regular season form.
LETS GO FLYERS!!!
Delayed Call 