Advanced stats aside. Johnny's body language shows that he is much more engaged. This year the puck doesn't seem to bounce off his stick like a teeny bouncer. He appears to be more focused.
If feels like Monahan is carrying the puck a bit more instead of a half second redirect pass to somebody else. One thing that I think doesn't go in Monahan's direction is his lack of facial expressions. Happy or sad he looks the same. Some people read too much into players facial expressions to gauge how hard they think a player is trying.
I think it helps that Lindolm isn't their winger. I mean, it would help to have him on their wing, but then they're putting all their eggs into one basket and leaving Tkachuk to carry the 2nd line scoring on his own, but then they were using that 2nd line as a shutdown line. This year they have two scoring lines in Gaudreau & Monahan and Tkachuk and Lindolm. All the focus is not on the top line anymore because there are two lines to that can be a threat.
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