GDT: GAME 43 | Sens @ Isles | Merrily, Merrily, Merrily | Tue Jan 14 2025, 7:30PM | TSN5, RDS2

[Cosmix]

We're going to have to play Forsberg at some point assuming Ullmark is still a few weeks away.

I don't think playing Merilainen every single game makes sense. He's had some good games this season but he's inconsistent.

I would play Meri until he starts to falter whether Ullmark is back or not. Go with the hot winning goaltender.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I think we did NOT play a great game; we failed to skate well enough to smother them and get more shots and goals. NYI is not a good team; we played a poor game. Glad we won, but we could easily have lost this game.

They were still the better team of the 2 though, and a relatively easy shutout for Merilainen.

 

[SanderSen]

We're going to have to play Forsberg at some point assuming Ullmark is still a few weeks away.

I don't think playing Merilainen every single game makes sense. He's had some good games this season but he's inconsistent.

Rookie goalie so expect some inconsistency. But Forsberg has not been better. My take on Forsberg is that he is best as a career back-up. I would leave him on the bench and when he does get a game because of circumstances he will play well. But when he gets the mantle of starter, it is a different mentality and not all keepers can handle it.

 

[Micklebot]

I think we did NOT play a great game; we failed to skate well enough to smother them and get more shots and goals. NYI is not a good team; we played a poor game. Glad we won, but we could easily have lost this game.

They got 1 more 5v5 shot than us, but we got significantly better chances, and it shows in the advanced stats;

at 5v5
21-18 in scoring chances
14-5 in High danger chances
2.15 to 1.13 in xGF

All strength we did outshoot then 27-24
25-22 in scoring chances
16-5 in High danger chances
3.05 to 1.23 in xGF

we definitely smothered them, it was the NYI's 3rd worst 5v5 xGF performance of the season, and worst at all year in all situations.

What we didn't do is pepper them with chances, but we still had more all strength xGF (3.05) than the NYI allow on average (2.75)

 

[lang006]

They got 1 more 5v5 shot than us, but we got significantly better chances, and it shows in the advanced stats;

at 5v5
21-18 in scoring chances
14-5 in High danger chances
2.15 to 1.13 in xGF

All strength we did outshoot then 27-24
25-22 in scoring chances
16-5 in High danger chances
3.05 to 1.23 in xGF

we definitely smothered them, it was the NYI's 3rd worst 5v5 xGF performance of the season, and worst at all year in all situations.

What we didn't do is pepper them with chances, but we still had more all strength xGF (3.05) than the NYI allow on average (2.75)

Yeah I love that the Sens seemed to beat NYI with their own typical style of game. Something they haven't been able to do in past years with this young core.

Its like the Islanders were waiting for us to lose patience and try and open up the game. But it never happened this time and that's a sign of a maturing team IMO. Obviously consistent and solid goaltending combined with a team D commitment is critical or the process fails but I must say its some nice seeing this team find a way to close out games more consistently. Credit to the coaching staff and all the players for the buy in.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

I think we did NOT play a great game; we failed to skate well enough to smother them and get more shots and goals. NYI is not a good team; we played a poor game. Glad we won, but we could easily have lost this game.

We played an excellent game. NYI came to play and we just suffocated them with outstanding performances by Sanderson, Zub, Jensen and Leevi leading the way. That was a masterclass performance by Sanderson.