1/22- Jets @ Bruins
- Thread starter cshea
- Start date
Just missed that top corner. But it was a strong sequence. Would’ e been nice to ice it right there.
Come on boys. Stay strong for 1;45.
Come on boys. Stay strong for 1;45.
Forbort's best game as a B, he was nails on the PK, and didn't murder them in the breakout. Progress!
All four lines look really good right now. I really think the addition of Steen has brought out a side of the Coyle-DeBrusk tandem that wasn't really there before. He compliments the two of them in a way the other guys they have cycled through don't. He's fast enough to keep up, without being so speedy that he gets negated by them. He plays with enough power that he isn't getting his doors blown off from the heavier third liners on the other team, and he can play in front of and away from the net. The three of them together are like a perfect third line pairing.
I also think the Nosek-Foligno-Lazar line is a really solid 4th line, even though I don't think the advanced numbers are really backing that up right now. They are responsible in the defensive zone, but all of them have just enough offensive ability to make the other teams pay for mistakes.
Now, if they could figure the third defensive pairing out, we could be in business.
Just wanted to second this. Steen's solo xGF has been among the best on the team (in a very small sample), right behind Bergeron the last time I checked. And more importantly, he's helped DeBrusk and Coyle find their games again. This game strikes me as the type of game they would lose 2-1 or in OT in the past - the top line was just okay today (57% xGF) and the second line struggled (47%). But today the 3rd line dominated the competition with 81% xGF and were 2-1 in actual goals.
The Nosek line turned out ahead in xGF today - about 67% total. But it was very much "low event" hockey - only 0.07 xGF to 0.03 xGA in 8 minutes TOI. But if the other three lines can carry the team for a game, I'm fine with a 4th line that can just kill clock if need be.
And agree with the last point. Upgrading 2C would be nice, but this team's real need right now is to get the defense sorted out.
I third the above two posts heartily. The chemistry of the Coyle line is apparent -- Steen knows where to be and when -- and, since I don't recall Debrusk having the ability to pass the way he has been passing on that line, Steen has to figure into that calculation. Thats certainly true of Hall, whose playmaking ability has been realized by pairing him with Pasta. His passing has always been good but now its off the charts. Which makes me wonder if, in the case of DeBrusk, some of the vets have stepped in (which is what vets should do) for it sure looks like Debrusk has enrolled in the Hall School of Passing (maybe frisbetarian would know!).