The D corps is better by the growth from Samberg and rebound from Pionk. (Was he playing hurt for 2 whole seasons?) So it really is different this year. That is all conspiring to carry the goalies who have not been good most games.
I'm still on the fence when it comes to our D -
I think the teams much improved 5v5 game has improved a ton - and IMO, it stems from our much improved defensive play by our forward group.
Our Nzone play is so much better than it has been - we are not giving teams any time to create plays or organize their transition game. On top of that, we are creating turnovers in this zone much more than we have in the past - and this translates to less pressure on our D to defend off the rush.
Our Ozone play has also improved dramatically - we are cycling very well which wears teams down and makes it much more difficult for the apposing team to get anything going the other way. We had that issue in the past - how do you generate offense out of your own end when you are out of gas from defending a solid cycle? Apposing teams are now dealing with that issue when they play the Jets.
Another improvement is what we are generating off the rush - and it's not just one line. Our top 9 are much improved in driving offense off the rush - and that translates to less defending.
What I'm trying to get to here is that our D are not defending nearly as much as they had to in the past - and I'm giving a lot of the credit to our 2 way game up front - it's so much better.
But in our end, we still find ourselves running around a lot - once apposing teams gain the zone, they are still beating our defenders (Dmen) in battles and possession. There may be some improvement there but I don't see our blueline being good in the dzone - many of the issues from the past, are still there.
IMO, our team game is driving our improved 5v5 game - and most of it is coming from the additions we added up front, the second line and their solid 2 way game, 55 and his rebound defensively, the Lowry line, and team buy in (which is huge and has been a major issue in the past).
I still see our D lacking a physical edge in our zone - the guys we do have that can be effective physically, lack skill (limited ability to turn the puck up ice) - and our skilled guys lack physicality (limited ability in gaining possession or breaking up plays).
BTW, I'm not complaining - I like where this team is compared to where it was - very exciting and beyond my personal expectations TY.
Just adding to the discussion. I'm hoping we can find ways to make improvements on the back end - as a priority over anything else we might consider adding / tweaking.