3-0 HFD after two. Much better period for the pack. They dominated that period. Showed some real offensive flair as well. Here's the specifics:
1. Ronning. He's looking like the AHL version of Martin St. Louis. He scored on the PP. A great shot. His offensive instincts and spacing are great on the PP. He plays the Ryan Strome position on the PP. And has a better shot, Scored the 3rd goal with a laser on the PP. Separately, his hustle and wheels are really noticeable. In addition, he practically had another point that period, on a rush he beat a defenseman, took the puck to the net, his original backhander was stopped, the rebound was put in by Richards but it was called back because Ronning bumped the goalie after the initial shot. They called goalie interference. But this was another impressive moment for Ronning where he basically created something out of nothing with his speed, quick hands and aggressiveness. Finally, Knoblauch is noticing because late in the period he put Ronning on the PK. That is a huge acknowledgement of how much he's come on. He's small, but I mean if he keeps this up he really does have a chance at NHL career.
2. Cuylle. After i thought he looked a little pedestrian in the first. His line had a heck of a shift cycling in the offensive zone. Cuylle won a 50/50 battle in the corner and passed back to the point. Guittari point shot goes in with a good screen in front. It was an impressive shift for the whole line, but was also a good example of Cuylle at his best. Using his frame to win battles and then he made a nice play with the puck. I feel like if he could one more gear to his skating in the next 2 years, he'll have an NHL future in the bottom 6. He's not slow by any stretch, but if he found another gear he could become a more dangerous player with his size and decent hands.
3. Barron -- had a better period. His line had some real offensive flashes in that period. Again, the think that stands out is his heavy game. You don't want to run into him out there. You will go down. I don't know if he's a C or W at the next level, but the thing I like most about his potential of what he could bring to a bottom 6 role in the playoffs. He could be one of those guys that can wear down defensemen in the playoffs -- kinda like the Kings at the height of their success. But I do wish he could find a bit more speed to his game. He's got average speed really. By his third or fourth stride he can really pick up steam, but it's the first few steps that feel a bit lumbering.