Fundamentals were a result of the 3 first goals tonight. All on faceoff wins and losses. I know people love the Connor-Dubois-Ehlers line because they can dazzle with skill, but they have some real deficiencies defending so far. Tonight's GWG could have easily been a game losing shift, I mean there's Samberg on the boards in a battle, Dubois engaged as well, and Josh goes into the same board battle to finish a check which leaves the front of the net wide open, without the winger support, and through the grace of God, Hellebuyck's ability to stretch out to the far post, and a good recovery effort from Samberg, that puck doesn't go in, and then ends up as breakaway for the winning goal. I thought Dubois had some very rough shifts in his own end tonight. For me Adam Lowry was the one centre who was noticeable all game. Loved the physicality out there. Battle level was high.
I have to give Wheels some credit, he isn't fast anymore, but going to the net was the reason for the opening goal. Out there blocking shots, diving in the crease, and making moves too. The old guy can still play.
I also liked Maenalanen's game tonight, for his first game back, he was strong on the puck, and strong on the boards. I think that's the absolute opposite of AJF, who I noticed sat a lot at the end. He was careless with the puck for a couple of bad turnovers, soft on the board battles, and not really physically engaged in coverage either, which created the tying goal. His saving grace is being able to skate fast enough to win a breakaway or negate an icing or two. If someone comes out of the lineup for Barron coming back, I'd probably take him out before Kuhlman, who at least was battling out there tonight.
This was a big win against a good Sabres team. Hellebuyck's ability to bounce back from rough outings is a godsend for this team.
Tomorrow's game might be a tough one, I don't expect the team to have the legs, but there's still a good chance to get out of a hard week's work at .500 because of the perseverance tonight.