Good road win. I wasn't too thrilled with our 2nd period TBH. It was way too sloppy and if not for Murr that 3 goal lead would have been gone by the end of 2. But on the flip side of that, it is really nice to see Murr back in the cage and kicking. He really held the fort down in that 2nd after those 2 quick goals. He was a rock start to finish. It has been a long time since we had a goalie play as large in the blue paint. He's got that Riemer/Giguere like ability to stay tall in his butterfly which allows him to save pucks he doesn't even see. Pucks just seem to hit him. He is also more athletic than Riemer and Giguere ever were so it allows him to make saves when he is out of position as well.
I oddly have a ton of confidence in Murr's ability to win us games, my only concern is his health.
I also liked the splitting up of Mitch and Auston. We need to see something different from our top 6. They'll be back together at some point, but for the time being they need a fresh look to get going.
Malgin continues to impress. Such a great addition to our lineup. He makes a difference almost every shift. That 4th line of ZAR - Kampf - Malgin has been absolutely dominating
all strengths nubers:
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As much as I love the look of that line, I am actually curious how Malgin would do in the top 6. He's played with Auston in Zurich before, and he definitely has the skill to play in the top 6. He has been an absolute dog on pucks in the offensive zone. Very intelligent player. He knows how to extend plays and more importantly has the ability to extend them. I'ds really like to see something like this:
Bunting - Matthews - Malgin
Nylander - Tavares - Marner
Robertson - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok
ZAR - Kampf - XXXX
XXXX could be a rotation of Engvall, Simmonds, Holmberg, Steeves, Anderson...etc
Isolate Matty on his own line. Have the opposition really stew over what line to match. The best player, or the best line. If they key in on Matthews, that loaded "2nd line" can take advantage. If they key in on the 2nd line, it gives Matty more space to work. He's good enough to drive a line on his own, and I honestly think Malgin can get him the puck where he needs it.
Lastly, I think Engvall needs to hit the press box for a couple. He's been f***ing terrible all year. His defensive and neutral zone play is the sloppiest on the team right now, and it cannot continue IMO. He didn't have much of a camp, if any, so I can see why he's been behind the 8 ball. But we are well into the season now, he needs to be better. We've seen this uninspiring play from him in the past. He probably just needs yet another wakeup call. He has responded well to being healthied in the past, so I don't see why it would be any different this time around. I know how effective he can be, he's just terrible right now. Not saying Robby has earned a regular spot in the lineup, but he's certainly moved the needle more positively then Pierre at this point.
