i didn’t watch either of the last two games (although someone posted the entire OT from each game on youtube, so i at least watched those) but in the highlights from friday’s game, garland was everywhere. from watching the highlights with a little more puck luck, or with a little worse of a goalie in buffalo's crease, he could have a sam gagner game.
it’s absolutely nuts to see the difference between the garland of a few years ago i would have attached a pick with to camp dump, and him now. he used to own the puck then too, but would just spin and spin until he’d spun himself into the corner with no options. i still think he’s got garbage for hockey sense, but our coaching staff rewired his instincts so that when he spins he spins in the right direction and his tenacity does the rest.
which really is all to say, it’s looked bleak the last month or so but i still have hope for hoglander under this coaching staff.