The Cates line has been the best line since they were put together 15 games ago, struggled their first couple games, since then they've been on fire. Cates is having some puck luck, but also deserved, just missed a goal on his first shot. Brink has really improved his game, he's fearless and is making things happen on a regular basis. Cates is getting confidence he can play offense, he actually has a good wrist shot and had the best hands in terms of puck control (Michkov 2nd best, but much better vision) and keeping possession.
Problem is there's no chemistry on the top two lines, Frost got a lucky goal, he's trying hard but not doing much. Farabee is snakebit, Couts just isn't a good center anymore, Tippett has to have the right fit. TK can't do it alone. Briere will be patient, but at some point he may decide it's not working. Or wait until next year, add Jett and/or find a center, moves Couts to LW and so on.
Michkov is a rookie, like all rookies, they go through stretches where they forget how to play. Right now he's in a funk, no he's not going anywhere and neither is Torts. MM has to learn what TK learned, just b/c you're in a scoring slump, keep your head in the game and help your team win. Turning moleholes into mountains around here. One play that might have got him in trouble was a soft cross ice pass that was almost an odd man breakaway - if you're going to make cross ice passes, fire it, don't leave it out there to be picked off.
Ersson played his best game in a long while.
Question has always been whether he can do this on a consistent basis.