This game could have been a LOT worse.
For a team that totally obliterated us on FO's, we held our own and the score only shows a chunk of that.
91, 10 and 57 scored which is always awesome. Converted on a PP too and didn't allow a PP goal, which is even better.
The blueline desperately needs a pure top 4 dman on the left side to galvanize the D. A good part of our scoring is contributed to by the effort of the dmen and the insane amount of sheltering is opening up the chances that get converted, especially on the opposition's PP. Pleasantly surprised that didn't happen today.
Binny hasn't played in damn near a dozen games, so I expected rust. I also expected the team in front to help him and they didn't do much of that. He played better than most will give him credit for.
The sky isn't falling and the dream isn't dead. We're skating in with a Cup to our name looking for a second one. We got our Stanley Cup Winning Netminder on the roster and a rising goalie in Husso who is earning his way to becoming a bonafide Starter. For those who are complaining about netminding being the problem, it really isn't.
The team in front is very bipolar and on some days they are The Bluenote of Death to any team they play and on the next they forget who they are. It's not a single player problem in that regard but if we're going to require players like Faulk, who is playing well above his skillset and Krug, who is doing his damnest to be a point machine to also contribute to scoring with the forward lines, then they need a player who can shelter and anchor the lines. That single player will make all the difference and will immediately return us to contender status.
Right now our status as contender vs pretender really depends on the mood of the team on a particular day. We watched the Rags destroy them and then watched our boys come back recently and wreck the Rags right back.
I look to my Cup Ring sitting on the shelf and smile. Our window is very much open and there's nothing negative to imply on the future of this team. Army, my friend, do some magic, get us what we need so we can hoist the Cup again. That, bartender, I want a double of.
I Believe in the Note