That first half of the season was smoke & mirrors. It was at best an average team. But since the new year, especially since the deal, it's a different team. The subtraction of Quick & adding a real goalie, adding a real LHD and emergence of QB -- all of it has come together all at once and made this a real team. It's not fake any more.
I do also think that durzi was an issue -- for this team during the 1st half that is (with the weak goaltending and no Gav). Durzi, when he comes back, is less of an issue. But I think we're a better overall team without him.
At least now we have a decent PP. That makes other teams a bit more concerned with slapping us around. Come playoff time, that will be big. Last year, not only did we not stand up against them but there was no consequences resulting from our pathetic PP. If teams want to bully us this year, at least now they have to contend with going down a goal. Still, there is an overall weakness to the team. Look at the game hits by team. That's something that needs to change eventually.
