I like that this coach sticks with the kids and the lines. Does not fuck around too much and has some structure in place unlike Gallant.
Another good solid win, not a lot of shots against, and good D coverage. Outside of the Nashville game the team has played well overall.
Solid play after after 10 minutes played in 1st good D but I was a little surprised the rangers took no shots in 3rd to a team who has given up 11 good play by all
I figured it would take this team until game 25 to get the system down. I'm not going to get too excited if they completely prove me wrong on this west coast trip which they already have to some extent winning the first two. The beginning of the schedule has been soft. The west teams in the Oilers division we are playing now seem to be dreadful at the moment. No McDavid for the Oilers. Another break they could take advantage of.
Pretty solid effort but I'd like to see them do a little better job of clearing the puck, as despite the low SOG they got pinned in a bit.
Seems like a lot of excuses for why they have played well thus far. Not throwing any parades, but they have played well outside of one game, acknowledge that. And you said I was crazy and on something to think they could go 3-2 on this trip, so they have absolutely proved you wrong on this trip so far, not just to some extent. Let's be real about that. To me I see 3 big differences so far: They are winning FO's (last night notwithstanding). Bonino helps, maybe him and Trocheck are rubbing off on Z also. And Peca helps as well, I am sure. They are defending well and keeping the shots against down, especially in danger areas. Have to credit coaching and system for this, along with focus/effort/attention to detail from the team. They are controlling the puck at rates we have not seen in a long time from this team. Their metrics for controlling the puck and playing in the other zones (not their D zone) are really good. Again, long season, and nothing has been determined at all yet, this could all go the other way very quickly, but they are off to a solid start, so watch the games and enjoy for now.
Not sure I would say they have played well. I'd probably say Panarin has played differently and very well and has carried the team so far. Miller still makes dumbass mistakes. Lafreniere still refuses to shoot. Zibanejad same thing and can't score at even strength. The team defense has improved. I also see them getting more garbage goals in front which you have to do or you won't win in the playoffs. However, the 4th line has zero physicality and intimidation on it. It has to be changed. Sturm is on a lousy team in San Jose. He's exactly the type of guy every other team than us picks up at the deadline. Drury should get him now. Bonino is not a top faceoff guy. Never has been. Sturm dominates in the dot. I'm sure Jones and a middle of the road prospect will get it done. Sturm can chip in on offense. He has two years on his contract at 2 million. I'm sick and fucking tired of watching guys like this go to rivals every fucking year at the deadline while Drury sits in his office jerking off.
I agree with you on Drury, not a huge fan and think he is in over his head. As for Laf, he has 3 goals, including one from a dirty area last night. That is a good start, and his line has been very good. Sure, it is largely due to Panarin, but Laf has been okay, and Chytil has looked good. I totally agree Laf needs to shoot more, but so far that line has done a good job. On FO's, Trocheck is at 59%, Bonino is at 58%, and Z is at 52%. That is a great start, and even Chytil is at 47%, which is great for him. Call it a focus of the coaches, Peca's impact, or the players stepping up/helping each other, any way you cut it they have been WAY better on FO's than any 6 game stretch I have seen in years from this team. And Bonino has been a good FO guy in his career - 58% this year so far, 2023 48.2%, 2022 51.4%, 2021 52.8%, 2020 52.6%. Over 51% on FO's 4 of the past 5 seasons including this season so far. He is a solid FO guy. Not a great dominant one, Trocheck is close to that, but he is solid and way better than anyone they have had outside of Trocheck for a long while. I actually think Bonino is a good 4th line C. I also think Goodrow is a good 4th line player. They could use an upgrade to a grittier/sandpaper guy over Vesey/Pitlick as the 3rd forward on the 4th line. That is why I still think we could see Wheeler moved to the 4th line, and Othmann called up in a month or so to play on the 3rd line. Wheeler could play a Perry type role on the 4th line. That would be good for all if Othmann is ready after some seasoning in the AHL. The D has been way better, the FO's have been way better, overall they are shooting more (still have work to do here), and they have scored a number of dirty area goals. Add it up and that is good stuff after 6 games. They have played well overall in 5 of the 6 games, acknowledging they didn't show for the Nashville game. Even when they won games in the past it was largely due to goaltending, and simply outscoring teams in high scoring games, that is not the case this year so far. They have only allowed 1 goal in each of their 4 wins, and that is good stuff, and shots against are way down. Whether they can sustain that for more than 6 games, we'll see, but I won't take the start away from them.
