Maybe it's just me, but I wasn't that impressed with the way we played against the Senators "C" team. If they scored on half of the multiple open net chances they had, we lose that game by 2 to 3 goals. I think the 'tank' whether intentional or not, is still in effect.
My short takes on last night's game: Slafkovsky was an a noticeable factor throughout most of the game, both offensively and physically; Monahan showed that he can still be an important contributing player in this league and will, if he stays healthy, garner us a high draft choice at the trade deadline; Suzuki and Caufield were in mid season form and will be the engine that drives this team's offence; while Dach played well, I still find his skating to be sluggish; Davidson showed the speed and power off the wing that allows one to project him as a future NHLer; Trudeau displayed good mobility and an offensive flair that should allow him to make this, or some other NHL team in the next two years; and Heineman showed his skating ability and a willingness to drive to the net that should allow him to carve out an NHL career.
I agree with the worries regarding being close to losing to an AHL team and especially being outshot by them. I would add that 1/6 on the PP does not show promise for this year.
Regarding players,
I think Suzuki Caufield Monahan were playing it easy in the 1st, invisible in the 2nd and woke up in the third. Not sure if Monahan would not be more useful to Dach than he is to them.
RHP was good on the forecheck but quite invisible otherwise. Slaf was quite active offensively and on the boards. Dach was also active but quite inefficient. I did not find the trio to have much Chemistry.
Andersson Heineman Mesar have shown nothing at all, it was the void, not worth of top 6 AHL.
Bourque is as expected from a career AHLer, Gignac was dynamic and as expected from a top 6 AHL guy. I like what I saw from Davidson seem like a good energy guy to have.
Guhle needs some reps after his injury and you can feel he is not 100% efficient. Savard solid as expected but inefficient in his offensive rushes.
Trudeau not bad but nothing flashy, good for the AHL this year. Kovacevic, nothing fantastic nothing bad, good depth. Norlinder shows smooth skating but decision making was questionable, not really efficient on PP QB. Keeper well ECHL guy.
Allen and Primeau : cover the damn post. Else they were ok.