It was an even game.
Rittich faced way more shots but quality shots were close to 50/50.
Each team had a handful of grade A chances and the goalies made equal unreal saves.
Rittich let in what would be considered softies but I struggle to fault him.
The first goal shows no room at all and Rittich has it covered. It's not like a Elliot goal against where he left room. The 2nd goal was the weaker one IMO as he didnt look set and was far to deep.
I am not sure who Rinaldo can take out although I really like his game. Frolik is playing great as a 4th liner. Bennett has a real jump to his game. If it is a matter of bringing Rinaldo in more so than worried about who you take out, perhaps you sit Dube or Mangiapane, more as a learning and watching from above experience while Bennett moves up the lineup?
Ward has been 9/10 as a head coach IMO. I love how much fun he seems to be bringing around the team. From the practices to no helmets in warm up to pre game speeches, he seems like a coach you want to play for. My only gripe would not be getting on the officials a bit more when needed but very few of the great coaches in this league do so perhaps doing so does more harm than good.
I challenge anyone watching Gaudreau to forget who he is and watch as an unbiased fan. Within his first 5 shifts, you can tell if he is feeling it or not. If he is carrying the puck and going after pucks, he has a great game. If the puck isn't on his stick, he isn't effective. This is why playing with Lucic and Ryan not only affords him the right to hold onto the puck as long as he wants or try his low percentage plays but it also frees up Monahan and Lindholm to be more creative with the puck on their own line.
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