Fair enough, but what happened to Ellerby after his ill advised pass in the defensive zone led to Winnipeg's first goal?
thought about that as well. both were crushing, though with ellerby's turnover, some credit has to go to kane. if that wasn't it, only other thing i can think of is that ellerby has generally been playing excellent hockey. i expected his confidence to take a hit after that turnover but he played pretty well the rest of the 1st and through the 2nd period. i've argued that he's our best puck mover right now; count quantity, quality and degree of difficulty wrt to his first passes. campbell will always be the best puck lugger by far but i'd say keaton's the only one making a consistently solid first pass and in that sense, we kinda *need* him in there.
regarding the game... like others have said, fantastic comeback. we got one break/bounce, just like vs. nashville but barch converting there on his chance completely turned the tide and validated the hard work to that point. the team defense still is lousy and it's upsetting to see the same mistakes over and over at this juncture in the season but... hey, they are somehow managing to stay in it. i'm not expecting much come playoff time if we make it given our deficiencies and inconsistencies but i'll take a few playoff games regardless.
I watched this game...twice. Saw it live and then saw it better at midnight when I decided that I was bored and wanted to watch the replay.
What I observed was:
1. Jack Skille probably had his best game as a Panther. Nevermind the goal (which was huge), but the Barch breakaway goal happens, in part, because Skille made an awesome pass that led to it. Did anyone see Skille's face after the Barch goal? Priceless. Anyway, Skille actually looked like a player with an IQ yesterday. I really don't understand why he doesn't go to the net more. Every time he does (which isn't often), he either scores a goal or draws a penalty. I wish he'd stop doing the skate to the right wing, take bad angle shot to the goalie's chest thing; he's capable of out-skating just about anyone. He was also pretty solid, defensively. He's improved that area of the game since he first arrived here; Dineen even trusted him enough to give him a couple of shorthanded shifts.
2. I noticed that Ellerby had a solid game. All the talk on our new "shutdown" forward line, but the Ellerby/Weaver pairing was good yesterday defensively, imo. I think maybe we give Ellerby too much flak because when he makes a mistake, it looks really dumb on TV. He's had a better year than Gudbranson, honestly. You wouldn't know it based on our comments and of course that's based on more patience with Guds because it's his first year, but facts are facts.
3. Bergenheim is a pest. Love the way he plays. Always with awesome effort and has some skill, as well.
4. KOPECKY-GOC-SMITHSON...they DOMINATED this game. Dineen put them on the Spezza line just about every shift and that battle was flat out won by the Panthers.
The Spezza line only had one scoring chance all game (from what I saw), and Kopecky actually saved a goal with his stick on the shift. That was arguably Kopecky's best game this year. Goc dominated Spezza in the faceoff circle and Spezza didn't even have a shot on net all game.
Marcel Goc is honestly becoming my favorite forward on the team. He's so steady with everything he does. He makes his wingers better, it seems. This has happened all year when healthy. Whoever is put on a line with Goc, the line is effective. He rarely ever makes a mistake defensively and he's chipped in offensively, as well. It's no surprise that Preds fans loved him. I credit Mike Santos for this move; he's said, himself, that Goc is our most well-rounded forward and he's played like it, imo. He's outplayed Weiss at times this year.
Jerred Smithson was a nice little pickup. I actually think it was better than the Wolski pickup. He played a great game yesterday. Won faceoffs when put in the circle, blocked some shots, and had a couple of noticeable hits.
5. In terms of coaching, it was Dineen's best game of the year. I don't recall him matching up lines like he did yesterday. Wasn't just our checking line, it seemed like he had a matchup for every opposing line.
It was a good game and it's the type of hockey we have to play if we want to be successful down the stretch and into the playoffs, as well.
Great write-up, E. Not sure I agree that Ellerby has been better this season, but he had a good game. Weaver, imo, plays a big role in that. Guy is very steady.
Yesterday's game was HUGE to me. Showed us, the coaches, management, and themselves that they can get the job done. This game should vault them forward the rest of the way. Hope it does.
__________________ Gudbranson fanboy and defender for liiiiiife!
I watched this game...twice. Saw it live and then saw it better at midnight when I decided that I was bored and wanted to watch the replay.
....
4. KOPECKY-GOC-SMITHSON...they DOMINATED this game. Dineen put them on the Spezza line just about every shift and that battle was flat out won by the Panthers.
The Spezza line only had one scoring chance all game (from what I saw), and Kopecky actually saved a goal with his stick on the shift. That was arguably Kopecky's best game this year. Goc dominated Spezza in the faceoff circle and Spezza didn't even have a shot on net all game.
Marcel Goc is honestly becoming my favorite forward on the team. He's so steady with everything he does. He makes his wingers better, it seems. This has happened all year when healthy. Whoever is put on a line with Goc, the line is effective. He rarely ever makes a mistake defensively and he's chipped in offensively, as well. It's no surprise that Preds fans loved him. I credit Mike Santos for this move; he's said, himself, that Goc is our most well-rounded forward and he's played like it, imo. He's outplayed Weiss at times this year.
Jerred Smithson was a nice little pickup. I actually think it was better than the Wolski pickup. He played a great game yesterday. Won faceoffs when put in the circle, blocked some shots, and had a couple of noticeable hits.
5. In terms of coaching, it was Dineen's best game of the year. I don't recall him matching up lines like he did yesterday. Wasn't just our checking line, it seemed like he had a matchup for every opposing line.
It was a good game and it's the type of hockey we have to play if we want to be successful down the stretch and into the playoffs, as well.
Great post Erick.
Plenty of times i come home and speed through the game to see things i missed...
Dude you complimented Kopescky!!!!!! Im proud !!!!
Yea i thought it was Dineens best game too, i wrote about it on his thread.
I watched this game...twice. Saw it live and then saw it better at midnight when I decided that I was bored and wanted to watch the replay.
What I observed was:
1. Jack Skille probably had his best game as a Panther. Nevermind the goal (which was huge), but the Barch breakaway goal happens, in part, because Skille made an awesome pass that led to it. Did anyone see Skille's face after the Barch goal? Priceless. Anyway, Skille actually looked like a player with an IQ yesterday. I really don't understand why he doesn't go to the net more. Every time he does (which isn't often), he either scores a goal or draws a penalty. I wish he'd stop doing the skate to the right wing, take bad angle shot to the goalie's chest thing; he's capable of out-skating just about anyone. He was also pretty solid, defensively. He's improved that area of the game since he first arrived here; Dineen even trusted him enough to give him a couple of shorthanded shifts.
2. I noticed that Ellerby had a solid game. All the talk on our new "shutdown" forward line, but the Ellerby/Weaver pairing was good yesterday defensively, imo. I think maybe we give Ellerby too much flak because when he makes a mistake, it looks really dumb on TV. He's had a better year than Gudbranson, honestly. You wouldn't know it based on our comments and of course that's based on more patience with Guds because it's his first year, but facts are facts.
3. Bergenheim is a pest. Love the way he plays. Always with awesome effort and has some skill, as well.
4. KOPECKY-GOC-SMITHSON...they DOMINATED this game. Dineen put them on the Spezza line just about every shift and that battle was flat out won by the Panthers.
The Spezza line only had one scoring chance all game (from what I saw), and Kopecky actually saved a goal with his stick on the shift. That was arguably Kopecky's best game this year. Goc dominated Spezza in the faceoff circle and Spezza didn't even have a shot on net all game.
Marcel Goc is honestly becoming my favorite forward on the team. He's so steady with everything he does. He makes his wingers better, it seems. This has happened all year when healthy. Whoever is put on a line with Goc, the line is effective. He rarely ever makes a mistake defensively and he's chipped in offensively, as well. It's no surprise that Preds fans loved him. I credit Mike Santos for this move; he's said, himself, that Goc is our most well-rounded forward and he's played like it, imo. He's outplayed Weiss at times this year.
Jerred Smithson was a nice little pickup. I actually think it was better than the Wolski pickup. He played a great game yesterday. Won faceoffs when put in the circle, blocked some shots, and had a couple of noticeable hits.
5. In terms of coaching, it was Dineen's best game of the year. I don't recall him matching up lines like he did yesterday. Wasn't just our checking line, it seemed like he had a matchup for every opposing line.
It was a good game and it's the type of hockey we have to play if we want to be successful down the stretch and into the playoffs, as well.
I watched the game at worked (Panthers feed), and then watched it again when I got home too (Ottawa feed (taping every game now that I have PVR)).
Thought Weaver was stellar. He rarely makes a mistake anymore. He also isn't afraid to take a hit in order to make the right play in our own end which I love. He has really made me eat crow since the start of the year when he had an awful start and was caught out of position a lot. He is back to his old form like when he used to be paired with Garrison.
Love the Smithson - Goc - Kopecky line as well. Love the fact that we have 2 natural centers on the line which gives us an edge on the draws and allows us to cheat some. Even Kopecky is capable of one now and then. Love the fact that we now have Kopecky on the "third" line, not trying to force goalscoring down his throat. He just isn't a natural. He is good though at crashing the net and screening the goalie, which is why I don't mind him on the PP at times. Also seen Smithson just throw a huge hit on Konokpa in the second? period behind the Sens net. Konokpa is a big boy, that was impressive.
Thought Jovo played a decent game as well. Bounced back nicely from his disaster in Winnipeg. Other than the time Flogino pulled up and nearly broke Jovos ankle as he tried to stop, he didn't really screw up for once. Showed some real toughness coming back from that highstick. Noticed he threw a couple real nice bodychecks in the game as well. In a very limited role he can be effective. Needs more of these "mantaince days" in my oponion to keep fresh.
Thought Thedore really kept us in it as well. Things could of gotten out of hand in the first, he made a couple dandy kick saves. It seems like with our team D, he doesn't have to steal us games ever, just keep us in. With three more sets of back-to-back I expect Clemmer to play in at least 3 more games this year, maybe 4. Hopefully Jose knee/back holds up. Would be nice to get a cushion here in order to give him some more rest in time for playoffs *knocked on wood*
Very impressed with the 40 minute effort last night. Just think if we start playing a full 60!?!?!
Great post Erick. Plenty of times i come home and speed through the game to see things i missed... Dude you complimented Kopescky!!!!!! Im proud !!!! Yea i thought it was Dineens best game too, i wrote about it on his thread.
Yeah, this is probably a better role for Kopecky.
At wing, now the 3rd option for faceoffs on his own line.
I'm most impressed with Goc, though. Imo, he's a glue guy. He's really smart and most of the time always in position. Not to mention, he does well in the faceoff circle; that was huge last night.
We should really be more consistent defensively. We don't really have the personnel to score goals at will, but I think we have the forwards to shutdown some opponents.
I wish our bottom-pairing D were better; they can be a liability sometimes.
All in all though, we can be a really good defensive team if we focus on that. That should be our identity, always. Especially with Theodore's consistent goaltending.
I actually get more frustrated with our inconsistent defensive woes than our lack of scoring sometimes.
I watched the game at worked (Panthers feed), and then watched it again when I got home too (Ottawa feed (taping every game now that I have PVR)).
Thought Weaver was stellar. He rarely makes a mistake anymore. He also isn't afraid to take a hit in order to make the right play in our own end which I love. He has really made me eat crow since the start of the year when he had an awful start and was caught out of position a lot. He is back to his old form like when he used to be paired with Garrison.
Love the Smithson - Goc - Kopecky line as well. Love the fact that we have 2 natural centers on the line which gives us an edge on the draws and allows us to cheat some. Even Kopecky is capable of one now and then. Love the fact that we now have Kopecky on the "third" line, not trying to force goalscoring down his throat. He just isn't a natural. He is good though at crashing the net and screening the goalie, which is why I don't mind him on the PP at times. Also seen Smithson just throw a huge hit on Konokpa in the second? period behind the Sens net. Konokpa is a big boy, that was impressive.
Thought Jovo played a decent game as well. Bounced back nicely from his disaster in Winnipeg. Other than the time Flogino pulled up and nearly broke Jovos ankle as he tried to stop, he didn't really screw up for once. Showed some real toughness coming back from that highstick. Noticed he threw a couple real nice bodychecks in the game as well. In a very limited role he can be effective. Needs more of these "mantaince days" in my oponion to keep fresh.
Thought Thedore really kept us in it as well. Things could of gotten out of hand in the first, he made a couple dandy kick saves. It seems like with our team D, he doesn't have to steal us games ever, just keep us in. With three more sets of back-to-back I expect Clemmer to play in at least 3 more games this year, maybe 4. Hopefully Jose knee/back holds up. Would be nice to get a cushion here in order to give him some more rest in time for playoffs *knocked on wood*
Very impressed with the 40 minute effort last night. Just think if we start playing a full 60!?!?!
Lol, I saw that in the 3rd period. Jovo does some things out there that just look embarrassing. Good thing Foligno didn't create anything on that play because Jovo just went flying past him.
Yeah, this is probably a better role for Kopecky.
At wing, now the 3rd option for faceoffs on his own line.
I'm most impressed with Goc, though. Imo, he's a glue guy. He's really smart and most of the time always in position. Not to mention, he does well in the faceoff circle; that was huge last night.
We should really be more consistent defensively. We don't really have the personnel to score goals at will, but I think we have the forwards to shutdown some opponents.
I wish our bottom-pairing D were better; they can be a liability sometimes.
All in all though, we can be a really good defensive team if we focus on that. That should be our identity, always. Especially with Theodore's consistent goaltending.
I actually get more frustrated with our inconsistent defensive woes than our lack of scoring sometimes.
I said early in the season we are a better team with Goc, and like kopescky very little he does is xciting, just everything is right.
He said postgame that he said a few words, but he imagined leaders like Weiss and Jovo did most of the talking. I imagine Campbell was in that chorus as well.
Also, in regards in Gud, I don't think it's a big deal. He made a big blunder in the Nash. game but I don't see this as Dineen being overly critical. I think he has Guds' best interests in mind. He's only a 20 year old kid and I think he's bringing him along at the right pace and not letting him get to the point where he could sink if it looks like it could get to that. Gud knows he messed up bad. He could've been shaken up about it. Dineen's a great coach and i see this more as a positive move than a negative. His personal relationships with the players and how he communicates with them is the best we've seen from a head coach since MacLean IMO. Of course, good thing we won the game heh.
