Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaskal
No, but I put it behind the net to my D partner 100% of the time when I'm the situation Noah found himself in because it's the safe play.
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Noah was good in game 1 and was not so good in game 2. It happens.
Young players often need to learn to play in the playoffs. The game changes so dramatically. Literally becomes a war and there are so many hits that are just flat our penalties and don't happen in the regular season. Interference and holding, hooking all escalate. Young players sometimes take a few years to adjust
McDavid - stll needs to adjust and play through it
Marner - same
Matthews - same
Tkachuk - same
Johnny Gaudreau is flat out avoiding all contact. Sutter said it, you need to take a hit to win in the playoffs. So many 50/50 pucks in the playoffs and often players are engaging physically well before they even get to the puck. Johnny is avoiding all loose pucks. 6 points at even strength in 32 playoff games and another year of avoiding all contact. It is not going to change. If he doesn't light it up on the PP he will continue to struggle.
This team will not do any damage without our Hart Trophy candidate playing at a much higher level