Quote:
Originally Posted by alamantia
lookin like a cup team for sure, which will be even more dissapointing when Ottawa knocks um out of the conference finals...  |
I think Henrik is a much stronger backstop than either Gerber or Emery. Sens have a much more well-developed 1st line. However, if the Jags/Drury/Straka line gels like it appeared it will in the 3rd period, the Rangers will give them a hell of a fight if not walk all over them. Drury is a clutch player, which is exactly the opposite of Jags. On the same line, they could be gold. Straka is fast and nimble enough to get the puck to either/both of them. My only fear is that he will give deference to Jags because they've been playing together so long.
...not to mention the rest of the team. Although they didn't produce last night, you could see that the Gomer/Shanny/Avery line has something to give. I think once they get a feel for what each other will do, that line will be VERY hard to play against. Gomer is fast and slippery, and Shanny and Avery are both grinders who won't shy away from the boards/corners. Not only that, ALL THREE will shoot the puck and are dangerous offensively.
What surprised me most was how well the "toddler" line was playing together. Callahan is impressive and Prucha looks better than he did in 05-06 (30-goal season). Not sure about Dubinsky, but we'll see. I think they should've went with Dawes, but what do I know.
A few words about D. Did Strudwick play last night? I don't remember seeing him. Staal is okay, but he still looks green. I hope he comes around. I'm impressed with how willing - almost eager - Mara is to stick up for his forwards. That's exactly what the big defensemen should do (Euros like Malik and Tyutin will never do that). Jump in there and start scrapping. If anyone walks away from a scrap with a penalty, it should be D, not forwards if it can be avoided.