Feels like every game recap I do is starting to sound the same, and not in a good way. The schedule has been superbly soft, and if they keep playing like this once the competition gets better they're going to be a bubble playoff team. The Miller/Boeser injuries are killing them up front (losing your first line tends to do that), and the Soucy/Myers pair is giving the other team an additional first line each night.
Petterson - He's come alive and is bringing it, and alongside Hughes is the reason for hope. When you have a franchise center and dman, you can usually turn things around if you make the right depth decisions.
Sherwood - Probably could've had a hat-trick tonight with all the chances. Thought his breakaway flub turned the momentum the other way, but kudos to him for continuing to work hard all game.
Heinen - Continues to do all the little things right and is getting rewarded on the scoreboard for it.
Garland line - Not great. Chemistry from last year isn't quite there, and it's tough with Joshua being so rusty. Them not producing while the first line is effectively out is going to make it hard to win while the defense is playing like this.
Raty - Nice to see him get rewarded with a goal, his game has been coming around. Hoglander had some nice possession time, but he really needs to cut out the 1-2 stupid things he does a game - it's like watching the forward version of Juulsen.
Soucy/Myers - When you're so bad that you force the team to break up it's biggest strength because the coaches can no longer trust you on the ice, it's bad. They're playing at a below replacement level right now. If the team wants to be taken seriously, this situation needs to get resolved, or the team is going to remain inconsistent.
Brannstrom - Solid game. Size remains an issue on the defensive end, but the fact he's been the team's third best dman after being on waivers is a bad look for what management did with the blueline during the offseason. Juulsen looked ok for once too.
Hughes - Uncharacteristically bobbled the puck a lot tonight and made some weird decisions with the puck. Was clearly frustrated with how the night was going. Having to play shifts with Myers when they've repeatedly shown they don't play well together was likely a sore spot as well.
Lankinen - Mediocre performance. Stamkos' first goal was particularly soft, and he wasn't tracking the play as well as he usually does.
I'd prefer to wait until the deadline to make a move on the blueline, but this reminds of last season when the Canucks were injured & made their play for big Z. The situation right now is just untenable for a team that wants to make the playoffs. Really hope Boeser and Miller can recover from their injuries soon.
