About as complete a game as they've played this season. Putting Franson on that late PP was a classic example of over-coaching, and it almost cost them. Lehner is having a fantastic month.
Regarding the power play: O'Reilly 7 years, Ristolainen 7 years, Okposo 7 years, Eichel and Reinhart upcoming long-term deals in the near future.
We're going to have a top 3 power play for the next half-decade.
A lot of analysts will tell you that puck possession correlates to winning, and Bylsma doesn't emphasize that style of play. We really have no transition game, most of our 5v5 points are the result of dump and chase. Our D like to make long stretch passes to break out of our zone. These are low percentage passes that usually results in our wingers getting pinched to the boards or turnovers that allow the other team to repeatedly crash our blue line. Our PK is a disaster and constantly plays on their heels.
This team can't string 3 periods together let alone 3 games. But they do have 4 games out of the next 7 against the 2 worst teams in hockey. Getting 5 out of 6 points on this homestand would be a nice step, but I just can't see it happening.
Top 4 teams are clearly in the Metro. After Montreal's crazy 13-1 start or whatever they have been playing at the same pace as the Sabres. Maybe Julien will light a fire, but still doubt anyone from this division is a serious contender.
Three game homestand starts Thursday against a minor league team. Can't possibly screw that up, right?
He's certainly a lot more astute than the casual fan who chants "QBR!" ad nasueum. But like any reporter who doesn't paint a cheery outlook, prepare for this analysis to get lambasted.
I really can't make that sarcasm much more evident. I even used a head-slap emoji.
Two Vancouver goals were scored literally fractions of second after their PPs had expired, essentially giving them 3 PP goals tonight. How many points has our atrocious PK unit cost us this year? I'd say at least 8 -- they certainly cost us 2 tonight.
That was Eichel's worst game as a pro, he was awful.
Oh man, the timing of this is terrible for us. I just can't see the team ditching DD after 2 seasons, and it's rare when a coach of his caliber becomes available.