Hayes and Kreider together is an interesting pairing. For the moment I like those top two lines how they are, but something to think about for the future. Zucc has avoided grief in here no doubt. He should be performing much better than he has been. 4 goals and 10 points in 21 games is not enough. On pace for 15 goals and 38 points...we need a lot more from him...I agree. He should get some grief in here for his play. Hags on the other hand is what he is...a 3rd line winger. I think he is doing what most would expect. 5 goals and 9 points thus far. On pace for for 18 goals and 32 points. Right on par with last seasons 17 goals and 33 points. He is also a + 5, and plays a PK role as well. Now I would like to see him score 35 or 36 points (mid 30's) rather than 32 points (low 30's), but he isn't far off. And if he scores 18 or so goals that's what I would expect, so can't kill him for that. So I am not sure he deserves grief for playing to his level I think 18 goals +/- and 35 points +/-.
As for the team as a whole, we have played so poorly, been beat up, AV has done a bad job...YET we are still in playoff position right now. We are only 8 behind the Isles and Pens, and have a game in hand on the Isles. 12 up on CBJ, 9 up on the Canes, 7 up on Philly now, 4 up on NJ (with a game in hand), and 2 up on the Caps. So we are in a pretty darn good spot to be at least 3rd in the Met division and be in the playoffs. And this is despite all the injuries. Despite AV sucking according to some. Despite the team being bad according to some. So again I say relax. The team is just fine. Starting to hit their stride. They will be a strong playoff team, and I believe have a shot to be special again, double so if they make that right move to add one more solid forward.
