GDT: Game 14: Sharks vs. Blue Jackets 7:30pm NBCSCA Return of the Mack

[CaptainShark]

I missed the whole Walman thing, was he actually healthy scratched? I remember last game it looked like he injured his wrist early, maybe it was to rest it?

Coaches decision. Warso said the injury had nothing to do with it, Walman kind of disagreed.

My conclusion: Warso scratched him for his two glaring mistakes, Walman thinks him being banged up led to the mistakes…

 

[mogambomoroo]

Celebrini got his first win, cheers to many more to come! King Mack is here to stay.

 

[Alaskanice]

Watching the replay, when Wennberg scored in OT, he has that, “Yeah, I did that.” look on his face. Proper.

 

[coooldude]

For me the only story of the night that mattered was: Celebrini has more and bigger flashes than Smith, but you could tell just watching their shifts that Smith is 10 games ahead of Celebrini in learning how to play a solid NHL game. Macklin played a little chaotic, rusty, poor decisions on zone entry that you simply cannot make at the NHL level, but also nearly scored and created a lot of chances and just has electric energy. I'm excited to see him after 10 games of NHL learning, but it was also cool to see the contrast with Smith and be able to point to what has improved in his game so clearly. Smith also looked faster to his spots and faster in general, and what a great pass of course.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

For me the only story of the night that mattered was: Celebrini has more and bigger flashes than Smith, but you could tell just watching their shifts that Smith is 10 games ahead of Celebrini in learning how to play a solid NHL game. Macklin played a little chaotic, rusty, poor decisions on zone entry that you simply cannot make at the NHL level, but also nearly scored and created a lot of chances and just has electric energy. I'm excited to see him after 10 games of NHL learning, but it was also cool to see the contrast with Smith and be able to point to what has improved in his game so clearly. Smith also looked faster to his spots and faster in general, and what a great pass of course.

Over the last 2 years, Smith has improved in the 2nd half of seasons as well. It will be interesting to see how they both look come the spring, especially if Smith is playing with a Zetterlund or Toffoli as a goal scorer by then and not Kunin.

 

[stator]

Watching the replay, when Wennberg scored in OT, he has that, “Yeah, I did that.” look on his face. Proper.

And he beat one of the league's best dman on that goal. Had Werenski looking like he was playing twister out there.

 

[Alaskanice]

And he beat one of the league's best dman on that goal. Had Werenski looking like he was playing twister out there.

I noticed that too and it made me smile.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Wennberg needs to shoot more.

 

[Barrie22]

Wennberg needs to shoot more.

The entire team needs to shoot more.

 

[tahoesharksfan]

It's great to see Mack back.
Smith is finally letting loose.
Goaltending is ahead of the rest of the team.
Think of where we'd be if we actually had an NHL blue line.

LaBanc is still the master of shooting directly into the crest on the goalie's sweater...

 

[Timo Time]

I know Smith got his 1st two goals in a game, but last night I thought was his best game. The game is coming to him and the improvement is palpable every game. I scoffed at the "development day" plan, yet I think it's actually working.

His vision and finding open space with and without the puck is breaking through. Get him some actual scoring wingers with puck tenacity and I think Will Smith will take off.

My one knock on him, he's weak and gets knocked off the puck too easily. But he's a teenager, that's going to be fixed in a few years time with strength & conditioning.

And for Mack, the rust showed but he still made his mark with speed through the NZ and he just elevates everyone around him.

I hope the 2 can continue to maintain health because having them on the ice together makes the games to much more palatable.