Had a really long day so I passed out during the second intermission ad had to go back to watch the period.
We played a really good game for the most part. Thought the score flattered the Kings a bit, Nurse and Ceci turned into pumpkins at the end there and Skinner was having none of it from the looks of it. But if they are going to have lapses like that, at least its in a game like that and not a close game.
The top line put on a clinic on the score board, and analytically. Henrique and Hyman had great games and McDavid just doing McDavid things.
I think the second line struggled. Draisaitl was playing really well but I think Nuge and Foegele had a really off night, which probably helped influence the icetime decisions a bit. I know Nuge and Foegele can play better so no real worry there. Foegeles hit on Doughboy was beautiful though.
Third line was weird for me. The line looked relatively good overall. They had some issues early on but made up for it the rest of the game. Kane looked to be putting in a good effort which was good to see. That said I still think I preffered the line with Holloway there, I think his and McLeods speed covers for Perrys lack of it more but against a team like LA I don't think it matters all that much, definitely might against the faster teams.
4th line was fine. Did there job, unfortunately allowed a goal against but not the end of the world with them. Thought Carricks best work came on the PK
Ekholm and Bouchard were very good offensively. Bouchard looked more poised than I have seen him in the playoffs which was nice. His PP work was very good as well. Ekholm I think had a weaker game than he normally does but he is allowed the odd off night.
Nurse and Ceci got the top pairing push tonight and it was okay till the end. Maybe they played more cause coach seemed to be resting the top 6 later in the game but they definitely bent and broke later in the game. I think Ceci was the better of the 2, which might bode well cause Nurse SHOULD be better. Lots for Nurse to learn from the end of the game there.
Kulak Desharnais spent a lot of time in their own zone but gave up no goals. Analytically they we abysmal. Weirdly enough I think Desharnais played a pretty good game and Kulak had a rough one. Again, normally a pairing thats better but with how the game went, I don't think they played bad they were just the victims of LAs push back while behind a ton and how the coach was rolling lines. Ultimately they gave up no goals so it doesn't matter.
Skinner I think was mostly good. Didn't like the first goal but outside of that I can't really put any fault on him for the rest. Made a good handful of great saves which kept the momentum mostly in our favour. This is how he needs to play for us to go far this year. I think he looked nervous at the beginning but once he made a few saves he seemed to get into it. He seemed absolutely furious at Nurse near the end and I really can't blame him.
Knoblauch. I think he outcoached the other rookie tonight props to him for that. I liked that he managed the top 6 minutes well, especially with how the second line was playing. Doesn't matter by how much you win by as long as you win and he didn't seem to panic with the goals against near the end. Major props to him.
. All about balance
