First I didn't mind the impartial Sportsnet broadcast for once. Greg Millen is a very knowledgeable commentator.
Second I think he was right when he said that Scott Arniel will one day be the next coach of the Jets.
Scott Arniel made some good decisions tonight. I liked the change in defensive pairings. I think it works out to the Jets #1 d-man with the #2, and #3 and #4 paired together. Top pairing created chances, and only looked bad when tired. Dillon-Schmidt were good. Dillon's game was particularly a standout physical effort. Samberg made some play tonight, De Melo, the way he is playing, deserves the lesser role, perhaps one he is more suited for.
Appleton on the top line had some jump, and brought a net drive that Nikolaj Ehlers doesn't bring. Nice to see him and Connor on the same page from their Moose experience. I thought Scheifele played a decent 2 way game, made some smart and strong plays in the offensive zone, but the shift length and faceoffs are things that need improvement.
2nd line had some really good looks. I though Duby had a strong game, Perfetti got points he deserved, and Wheeler has been strong.
I like Lowry and Barron as a combination for the checking line. The decision to move Appleton down to Lowry's line late in the game was a good one, because you could see that plays were being stalled by Maenalanen being a lefty on a line of lefties.
Gagner paying dividends early in the year. Gustafsson's defensive awareness is going to help this team. Not sure who I like more as the 3rd wheel, the new Swede or the Finn. AJF is definitely noticeably fast.
Love the OT decision to start Lowry-Appleton. Arniel basicially says let your best players beat our defensive horses, and the horses won.
I guess Neal Pionk loses the horns, gets to be the hero of the day.
Only question I have is regarding special teams. Morrissey on PP1 is looking really tentative to start the year. Nate Schmidt gets an important touch on the PP goal. Nate Schmidt gets burned on the PK while Morrissey sits. Any chance we see Schmidt promoted to PP1, and Morrissey on PP2, taking regular PK shifts?
Colorado without Landeskog and Kadri aren't nearly as deep of a scoring team.
It's really a nice change to see this team engaged and believing in each other, fighting for each other, early in the year.
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