GDT: Game 23: Coyotes @ Kings - 8pm (AZ) - FSA+

[Jakey53]

Raanta making that save with his head? Enjoy this performance. He’s gonna be IR for a month after that.

If not for Raanta we would be kissing the hind tit this game.

 

[Jakey53]

What a joke. They're as unwatchable as last year.

Winning is all that matters.

 

[Jakey53]

Only going to make comments on the first two periods.

That may have been the best game I've seen by Chyrchun. Looked great offensively and through the neutral. Looked poised in his end.
Pitlick has some sneaky skill. Would love him to be on our third line.
Still convinced Raanta is our best goalie just isn't healthy enough.
OEL has transitioned his game to a Vlasic/Bouwmeester who has a great outlet pass and can QB a PP. Probably not worth his contract but sure isn't a net negative yet. Better than going full EK or PK on trajectory.
Garland was shut down at times, was able to be his slippery self at times and drew a penalty and had an assist. I'd call it a mediocre game. We got a bonafide top line guy here if that's mediocre.
Dvo was quietly very good at generating offense. Pretty bad on the draws.
Crouse and Fischer deserved a goal.
I didn't notice Keller much outside of the PP and his goal. Oh yeah, he got us on the board first which doesn't happen often.

How can Tocchet keep this 3rd period turtle going. It clearly doesn't work. I don't believe the players even enjoy or prefer playing in that style. Nearly cost the game again.

Great post.

 

[cobra427]

I am glad we won but felt like we were outplayed. The NHL is a game of mistakes, the Kings made 2 that wound up in their net, and Raanta>Quik, that was the story tonight.

Its been a while since we outplayed our opponent, seems like RT doesn't get the most out of his players.

 

[Sm00chy]

Solid road win. Back and forth game.

• Chychrun was excellent tonight. Consistent controlled exits out of the Dzone. Poised play.
• I thought Pitlick played one of his best games of the year. He was noticeable in all 3 zones.
• Man Raanta is frustrating. Its games like this where you can see why teams put up with his injury history...when he is healthy he is an excellent goalie.
• I mentioned this after the first 7 games or so...I really hope Keller elects to shoot more often. He is not strong enough to drive possession in the offensive zone and create space like Garland or Schmaltz...but he has a great shot. Would like to see him use it more often.

Looking at the standings, this weekend series against the Wild is BIG.

 

[Foggy1097]

Not sure anyone has mentioned it, but I thought Keller was great last night. Not just because he scored. He was really engaged in all three zones and he was battling for pucks, battling for free ice, hustling to beat people to loose pucks...more than I have seen in a long time. I hope Garland is starting to rub off on him a bit and he’s realizing what he needs to be doing to have more consistent success. Looked real solid last night.

 

[TheLegend]

 

[cobra427]

Solid road win. Back and forth game.

• Chychrun was excellent tonight. Consistent controlled exits out of the Dzone. Poised play.
• I thought Pitlick played one of his best games of the year. He was noticeable in all 3 zones.
• Man Raanta is frustrating. Its games like this where you can see why teams put up with his injury history...when he is healthy he is an excellent goalie.
• I mentioned this after the first 7 games or so...I really hope Keller elects to shoot more often. He is not strong enough to drive possession in the offensive zone and create space like Garland or Schmaltz...but he has a great shot. Would like to see him use it more often.

Looking at the standings, this weekend series against the Wild is BIG.

I like your optimism! We were out shot 2-1 though, don't see how this was a solid win.

 

[Sm00chy]

I like your optimism! We were out shot 2-1 though, don't see how this was a solid win.

I am not looking for a Yotes win where they dominate the game for all 3 periods. There are games where the other team is able to execute a portion of their gameplan and in this case the Yotes were able to execute a portion of their's.

Not every game needs to be perfect. You focus on getting the win.... and this one came on the road where the powerplay looked good and Raanta looked good. Call it whatever you want....I call that a solid win.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

I like your optimism! We were out shot 2-1 though, don't see how this was a solid win.

At this point, any win where we get two points and the opponent gets none is a "solid win." At least, until we get rid of Tocchet.

 

[cobra427]

At this point, any win where we get two points and the opponent gets none is a "solid win." At least, until we get rid of Tocchet.

I agree, glad we got the win. This is all we could have hoped would happen for many years. Now we have more talent, so the bar should be higher, we aren't looking as good as we should, again I'm trying to be realistic. I think its RT.

 

[Name Nameless]

Watched this one totally spoiled. So, I cheated a bit on the third, 'cause I could do that. First two periods were great. I think the Kings are severly underrated, this might affect my view on this, but I think this was a great game. I was a bit like, "I like this new and improved team".