Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
That's an interesting discussion on its own
I agree that he would be in that mix, and have to keep reminding myself he's 18 with 9 NHL games when he does things that show he's not 100% ready to be in the situation he's in.
The top six forwards?
Stajan has been a warrior, really glad they kept this guy
Gaudreau has been the most consistent of the top 6 offensively
Jones I've liked, he's been great in 3 games and present in the other 5
Monahan and Hudler have been pretty much MIA save for two games where they lit it up. Very strange. I said all season that I expected Monahan to take a step back this season but instead saw him take a huge step forward. The playoffs have had him look like my prediction however. Still thinking injury.
Huder? He's either not a great playoff guy (tight checking / more hitting) or also has an injury (and I don't mean from game one in this series)
and then yeah Bennett and Ferland are the other two that have really stirred the drink, and Bennett has been more consistent of the two.
Take game one ... only goal in a 6-1 loss goes to Bennett. It was a who cares goal, but who's the guy that puts it in? The 18 year old. Can't argue with his stats line certainly.
|
Being quoted by Bingo is like being retweeted by a celebrity. I'm starstruck!
As far as Hudler & Monahan's performance goes, I think a lot of times we overlook the fact that Monahan is still learning a lot as well, and he is literally our go-to guy. That is a lot of pressure with Gio in the lineup, but without Gio, Mony is probably putting too much pressure on himself to save the team methinks and it's affecting his play. I assume the coach has been changing strategies mid-game in the first two games, and trying to adapt to a system mid stride is probably not easy to do for a 20 year old center playing against Getz and Perry. I'm not overly worried about Johnny, Mony or Hudler at this point.
I think Hudler is injured also, but I think the top lines' production woes are a function of being inexperienced vs the vast experience of the Canucks & Ducks.