Thoughts from the game last night...
Smith: laughed out loud reading the game thread and the comments from people saying his puck handling is a negative. I was watching him and his impact on the D and the game closely last night, and there were at least half a dozen plays where, with a normal goalie, the dump-in would have resulted in time in the defensive zone. But he grabbed the puck and - this is what really jumped out at me - he made very quick and decisive decisions and moved the puck to either a Dman or a winger up ice, and the play immediately proceeded into the offensive zone, where it remained.
He had a huge impact on the transition game. Johnny is already looking for breakaway passes from him - and he is looking for Johnny.
There were also multiple plays where he quickly got it to a Dman, which aided their ability to make a play instead take a hit on the boards.
And it was great to see him try for the goal - gave it a good effort but a defenseman reached above his head to glove it down at the blueline.
Brodie / Hamonic: They are already figuring out how to play together. Hamonic's steady style is allowing Brodie to skate more. And skate he is! The other thing that is great to see is that Brodie is shooting more - that will make him a much more effective player offensively. These two are going to be a fantastic pairing, they are made to be playing together.
Wotherspoon: was really solid. Made a couple nice, patient plays on the offensive blueline as well. IMO, he leapfrogged Kulak as the front-runner for the #6 position.
Mr Andersson: solid. Would make the team if he was a leftie.
Jankowski: as so many have said, he was solid all night. Gulutzan was using him in every situation possible, and he looked good in all of them. The only worry is facoffs, and on the PK especially, faceoffs a re a problem for him. As for his goal, someone (Hamonic?) took a slapshot from the point, and the rebound went straight out to Jankowski at the top of the circle, where he had an empty net. What was awesome about it though, is that he absolutely hammered a slapper in - no babying it. His short-handed semi-breakaway was a thing of beauty as well. He will make the team.
Lazar: one of the nice things about being at the game is that you can focus on individual players. And I watched Lazar closely. I agree that he did little offensively, but he was greatly defensively. Always in good position, always making smart plays, and some fantastic back-checking. I believe he would be great on Backlund's line. Their offence would drop a little, but it would free up Tkachuk to play with Bennett (or Monahan) and even out the lines. I know people want to see offence, but I think Lazar is being under-rated by many fans for what he brings defensively. I think he will be in the opening lineup.
Shinkaruk: disappointment
Glass: he is seriously making a case for being on the 4th line. I think he has outplayed Hathaway (and definitely Hamilton) so far for that final roster spot, even if it's just the 13/14 spot.
Dougie Hamilton: absolutely nothing happened in his corner last night - an absolute stud in the D zone.
Bennett: was a force - he really made a case to be playing with Gaudreau. But if that doesn't happen, they better move Tkachuk to his line. He needs someone to play with because he is ready to take his game to the next level.
Ferland: had the nice tip-in goal, but was also instrumental in Johnny's first goal, with his presence in front of the net distracting the goalie. Ferland has all the tools to be really effective on the top line, he just needs a bit of time to learn what he needs to do (and what he doesn't need to do). As he settles in, he is going to be good. I think he is set for a 20+ goal season.
Gaudreau: was Gaudreau. He was flying all night.
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