8 wins in our last 9 games!!!
3th win in a row!!!
I watched the game and can say, that Laval played a good road game and was the superior team over several stretches of the game. But for their lack of finish, the Rockets win by several goals. The production quality of the game was abysmal. The camera was constantly behind the play, the return from commercial breaks was often delayed, the camera angles made watching frustrating and the telecast actually missed Laval's second goal. It was like they used a local high school A/V class to produce the game.
On a more positive note most our prospects had reasonable performances.
I again thought that
Beck had a less than a stellar performance. While Beck continued to show his great speed both on the forecheck and backcheck, was physical and made several excellent passes that created scoring chances for his linemates, he was again not productive offensively. For the second game in a row, I didn't see Beck carry the puck and drive the play. He was also very ineffective on face-offs.
After a couple of games where he was noticeable offensively,
Farrell was largely invisible last night. He created very little offensively and didn't pursue the puck with the same vigor that made him a factor over the recent games.
I thought
Mesar had a good game as he displayed increased speed and strength to match his excellent offensive skills. Mesar also got his nose dirty in the defensive zone. Mesar has all the skills to make the NHL. It's now all question whether he can get stronger and faster to be effective at the next level.
After an off game for him,
Davidson played his usual hard skating and physical game. Davidson showed the speed, offensive vision and the physicality that has become the hallmark of his game. Davidson was responsible in the defensive zone and was often first on loose pucks. Unless the unexpected happens (major injury, etc.) this kid is playing in the NHL. Maybe even as early as later this season.
In this writer's opinion,
Kidney was one of our more noticeable prospects in this game. This kid's skating and strength on the ice have really improved. Kidney rarely takes a shift off, forechecks like a demon and displays a high level of play making. Kidney set up several teammates for what should have been sure goals last night. I know some here will scoff, but if this kid's development continues at its current trajectory, Kidney is going to play in the NHL before some of our more heralded prospects. This kid looked really good last night.
Tuch, while showing spurts of his NHL level skating/speed and often being the first on loose pucks and strong on the backcheck, didn't create much offence. With his level of skating one would assume (hope) that he would be able to initiate some offensive push. It hasn't happened for the last two games. It may have something to do with Tuch's usage. Last night, Tuch played with Xhekaj and Arsenault, two players who really are step or more behind Tuch in skating ability. Arsenault, in particular, had a woeful game, taking an unneeded penalty and turning over the puck numerous times. I would love to see what Tuch could do with quicker, more talented linemates.
Florian Xhekaj had a modest game. He played in most game situations (penalty killing, 4 on 4 and even a short stint on the power play), showing the coaching staff's growing confidence in the state of this young player's development. Xhekaj played his usual game: physical, hard on the forecheck and establishing a good net presence. Similarly to Tuch and Beck, Xhekaj other than making a few clever passes, created little offence.
Mallioux was clearly one of the better players (for both teams) in last nights game. Mailloux played with greater confidence showing excellent vision in the offensive zone and made a number of excellent stretch passes that sprung Laval forwards leading to offensive chances. His first, stretch passing ability is as good as any NHL defenceman. This kid when looking for an outlet streaking down the ice looks like Mahomes in the pocket surveying the field. Mailloux was even steady defensively making few noticeable errors. The one time he did allow a Bruin forward to get behind him, Mailloux was able to catch the player from behind and strip the puck away. But it was Mailloux's offensive presence that stood out most as he made multiple forays into the offensive zone and made several excellent plays, including one in overtime that created a 2 on 1 that almost resulted in a goal, before the actual goal that Mailloux scored to win the game. Mailloux played in all game situations (power play, penalty killing, 4 on 4 and overtime) which usage signified the coaching staff's recognition of Mailloux's elevated level of play. I still have my doubts whether Mailloux will ever be able to play defence effectively at the NHL level. I have, however, little doubt that Mailloux could play forward (and play effectively) in the NHL.
Engstrom had a strong game , both offensively and defensively, showing his superior mobility and defensive acumen. When he is on his game, Engstrom is a notch above most of the players he is playing against in the AHL. While he still has to get stronger to be more effective playing the North American game, Engstrom has the skills, skating and hockey IQ to play at the next level.
Struble had a much better game against Providence than he had in his first game after being 'demoted' to Laval. He was mobile and physical and was largely a rock in the defensive zone. While Struble is already an NHL level defencemen as he showed in his play last night, he will gain more playing huge minutes in Laval than being the seventh defenceman sitting and watching from the gallery in Montreal.
