Calicaps
NFA
Varly?Because he knows he could of had a shutout. 2 really soft goals, and could of had the PP GA.
Time for Varly to take the reigns
Varly?Because he knows he could of had a shutout. 2 really soft goals, and could of had the PP GA.
Time for Varly to take the reigns
(checks year)...
@twabby Kuzy is literally talking right now about how much better he's playing compared to earlier this year.
You literally cannot quantify effort, drive, focus, or buying in into any stats, I'm sorry. Kuzy hasn't been this good since the Cup run to me.
Kuzy also just mentioned he had private conversations and talks with Lavi - wouldn't disclose them. Something must have ticked. He said he wants to continue to grow and play better. So glad to hear. Seems like him and Lavi are on the same page and Lavi pushed the buttons that he needed to push.
Lavi is a legit coach. Such a difference with this team!Sounds like a professional relationship from both sides, well done. Kuzy clearly came into this season motivated to put his disappointing 2 years under Rierden in the rear-view mirror and has shown it from Game #1 with his standout 5v5 play, while Laviolette (understandably) needed to see Kuznetsov put up a large sample of good overall performances before trusting him in high-leverage defensive situations given his terrible defensive play under Rierden.
Lavi is a legit coach. Such a difference with this team!
They won under Reirden because they were a very talented team, not because they were a very good team. The team defense was terrible, the neutral zone was a complete joke, and they frequently got outplayed but won due to their skill.Caps have never had problems finding regulars season success, even Reirden won the division twice. Lets wait for the playoffs.
I know I'm going to regret saying this* but Kuzy did say he has a better understanding now of what Lavi wants from him.I think your story sounds more interesting, but it doesn’t jive with the facts. It’s clear he’s bought in from the beginning of the year, and the numbers from game #1 reflect that buy-in.
I know I'm going to regret saying this* but Kuzy did say he has a better understanding now of what Lavi wants from him.
*hides for cover from three pages worth of graphs.
But yeah, Kuzy magic is always welcome around here.
I don’t think anyone ever questioned his offense. The issue was his defense and effort. It’s really there now and he has become trusted in late-game situations because of his all-around play the last ten or so games. Tonight, Kuzy was backchecking so hard every shift and even diving to block shots and passes. Earlier in the year, he was going for line changes instead of backchecking and just loafing off on D. Totally different player in terms of defense and effort to me right now than he was earlier in the year.I’m sure there have been some tweaks made during the season and I have no doubt he has a better understanding of Laviolette’s expectations now than earlier in the season, but the major change in Kuznetsov’s game clearly came this offseason/preseason and not 10-15 games ago. I won’t beat anyone over the head with the graphs and numbers since they have been posted before, but the expected goals have been there all season, and even the for-real goals have been there all season. It’s just that now over the past 10 or so games he’s picking up the points on these goals that he’d already been contributing to.
Wow.He's getting the (personal) breaks, and I'm sure that is a liberating feeling and makes him think he is playing better.
But he shouldn't be hard on himself, as he's been playing well all season long. And his on-ice numbers have reflected that all season long.
Wow.
So now you know better than the player and the coach.
Imagine thinking Sprong didn't earn a regular lineup spot..
they definitely seem better defensively under lavi
Agreed. I might be stupid but honestly I don't buy any rationale behind sitting Sprong at this point. Tf they want him to do? You can't sit here and justify a guy like Panik playing over him with a straight face, that's just downright offensive.Did Sprong replace Sheary on the 1st line in this game? And Sheary moved to LW on the 3rd?
If so then I guess Lavi is seeing if there is chemistry there (2 assists would say it looks good) with a view towards Sheary dropping to 13F when Eller returns.
I'd honestly rather see Panik or Sheary being dropped than Sprong. Out of the 3 Sprong looks to have the most upside.
Man if you can’t see the change in Kuzy in the last 2 weeks, not sure you’re watching....
Points in 7 of 8, 2 GWG, 9 pts, getting more ice time as a result (of a more complete effort) in key situations...