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Sanity Check
- Updated: March 6, 2009
Our young guys got a taste last night of what happens if you play tentatively. Good lesson, and time to move on. Due to work commitments, I came in toward the end of the second period. Climbed in the car just as they announced Williams’ goal, and got home to see Nash’s goal and the following rather bizarre sequence of events.
Since I didn’t see the whole game, can’t do a full +/-, but here are my observations on what I saw:
- Some bizarre breaks — Russell puts the puck in our own net (why doesn’t the Dispatch mention this???), which was a killer at the time
- Game where people will look at the score and wonder about Mase, but he had basically an own-goal by Russel, a breakaway, and a screened tip in by Erat. Tough to fault him on those, and I didn’t see the first goal.
- We are being way to sloppy in our own zone –not only turnovers, but providing too much space, not clearing the crease, etc. I would rather see us take a penalty than have those goons hang out in the blue paint in front of Mason.
- Our younger guys looked lost last night — Dorsett and Rome in particular, but Boll as well. Dorsett and Boll need to temper their “hit it if it moves” attitude with playing some real defense.
- For one of the few times in recent memory, we lost on the detail stuff — faceoffs and hits. Those are the things that create opportunities.
- We miss the senior leadership of Modin, Peca, Chimera on our lower lines. Even Gratton has been a stabilizing influence on the 4th line.
- Credit to Rinne — very solid.
- Umberger and Voracek continue to impress.
Road games at Nashville always bring the worst out in us. Not an awful game in terms of execution, but one where a series of little flaws killed us. On to Detroit, where we ironically match up better.
We will be there, sporting our blue! Go Jackets!
About Jeff Little
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