Hockey Widow wrote:Up front we did run 4 lines. I admit I cringed each shift the Sedins were out there. It won't be like that every night but it will be when up against a speedy team. I like Eriksson with Horvat and Baertschi. Virtanen, Gagne and Burmistrov was also a good line. And our checking line of Sutter, Granlund and Dorsett was our beast line.
Definitely agree with respect to the Sedins. I hate to rag on them, but I have to confess they looked pretty vulnerable out there. One thing I don't really get is pairing them with another relatively slow player in Vanek. I would think that having Granlund or someone with that kind of speed would be better to offset their slowness.
Rocky Dennis wrote:- after game one, the surprisingly rapid detioration of the Sedins' sending and receiving passes is still present.
Yeah, I hope that this is a function of their just being a little rusty (and maybe unfamiliar with Vanek) rather than a symptom of regression.
Cherry Picker wrote:If they keep playing like this all year, I'll enjoy watching whether or not they make the play-offs.
Fully agree. I haven't enjoyed watching a game as much as this in I don't remember how long. The style of play Green is implementing is miles ahead in entertainment value than either of the two previous coaches (in my opinion). Who knows how long it will last or whether it will show itself to be effective after other teams become familiar with it, but can't help but enjoy the moment and ride it out.
Some other thoughts which are based on a first game assessment only (not saying projectable for the season):
Bo - Wow. Looks like he is pushing for yet another step in development which is great. One small nitpick is there were a few times when it looked like he was trying to do a little too much on his own without using the players around him. Some of that may change as he adapts to having Eriksson as a linemate (or Boeser).
Loui - Still not very impressed with this guy. For the sake of the 6 Million in 6 years, I sure hope he improves more than what I saw in this game. I would rather see Boeser playing with Bo and Baer at this point.
MDZ - Maybe I am looking through rose coloured glasses, but he sure changes the complexion of the defense for the better. Seems to really be a perfect pairing for Guds and his ability to assist with the breakout is something I haven't seen on this team in a long time.
Jake - Very good game. Played with speed to burn and drew a couple penalties because of it. Also, noticed him speeding back to help out on the backend when needed. And that play appeared to earn trust with Green as he got minutes near the end of the game (something I doubt we would have seen with Willie).
Granlund - Showed his jack of all trades abilities with strong play and almost a short hander.
Invincibility lies in oneself.
Vincibility lies in the enemy.
- Sun Tzu