If Kadri's a moment later on his deflection, it seemed like Pelletier was in prime position to get it and he was providing the screen on that goal. Really nice game out of him again, lots of speed and effort, hope Sutter continues to get over his size bias and let the kid play.
Sutter’s “size bias” is a very exaggerated trait that got compounded because of the Phillips saga (who would’ve been one of the 5 smallest players in the NHL, not just an undersized forward). Gaudreau got the best usage and the most responsibility of his career under Sutter. Dube (5’11”, 185) replaced Ruzicka (6’4”, 215) on our top line after playing markedly worse up until that point. Mangiapane (5’10”, 184) has seen his role increase every year under Sutter. Kylington finally got his first real shot under Sutter, and he sits at 184 which is fairly small for a defenseman. People were quick to blame Phillip’s not working out immediately on Sutter being biased against smaller players, but Pelletier started out with less ice time than Phillips did and showed remarkably more than Phillips ever came close to. Pelletier earned every minute he’s getting now and he’s being rewarded for it, Sutter doesn’t care about size when the player plays the right way and is producing results.
Pelletier has been unreal though. The offense will come and it certainly looks like he should have more points by now, but his off puck play has been excellent and isn’t reminiscent of a rookie at all. As long as his play doesn’t slip he has probably played his last AHL game, his effect on his linemates has been staggering.
Huberdeau-Kadri-Mangiapane:
51.7% Corsi, 42.1 xG%, 2.12 xGF/60
Huberdeau-Kadri-Lucic
53.7% Corsi, 50.7 xG%, 2.57 xGF/60
Huberdeau-Kadri-Pelletier
60% Corsi, 69.2 xG%, 2.97 xGF/60
They have also been our defensively stingiest line out of every line Calgary has given any sort of time to this season by a wide margin, which is remarkable when the other lines are anchored by Lindholm and Backlund.