Thoughts, ranked in order of good to bad:
One of the best preseason games I've ever seen. I understand why the staff plays the fringe guys, but it's so much better when the only guys out on the ice are those who have a chance to make the team.
Also, a comment on the faceoffs. I think the numbers are misleading, because the Rangers played a bunch of games before the league told the linesmen to back off their no-nonsense policy, while the Flyers still hadn't played at that point. I would argue that made the Blueshirts more tentative to start, as was borne out by the fact that the Rangers adjusted and got much better at FOs in the 3rd period.
On to the analysis:
Impressed me:
MCDONAGH - best player on the ice, on both sides. All-star vet warming into shape.
LUNDQVIST - sharp, on his game, Hank. Need I say more?
NASH - excellent Nash game with production. Also, LOVE him riding shotgun with Chytil. Exactly what the kid needs.
CHYTIL - ooooooozes skill. Just a dangerous rookie, even more so than Buch was last year, which is saying something. The last forward prospect I was this excited about was Kovalev. Seriously, even on the play where he got blown up, he made the right pass. Once or twice lost his man, and nearly flubbed that play where he tried to burst up the middle from behind the net, but for the most part excellent center defense as well, IMO.
BUCHNEVICH - would have had him up there with McDonagh if not for losing Sanheim on the second goal. Strong Buch is going to be a beast this year.
KREIDER - dangerous all game long, played his speed, shot, heavy body game down the wing. Was really impressed with the d-zone play where he lifted a stick from behind.
ZIBANEJAD - a bit invisible early, and then shades of early season/playoffs Zibanejad. Hard on the puck, not afraid to shoot, dangerous. I was pleased.
ZUCCARELLO - classic Zucc. Didn't produce as much as he sometimes does, so I've got him beneath some others, but was still quite good. Didn't think the penalty was all that useful.
Okay/up-and-down:
FONTAINE - displayed phenomenal fourth line instincts. Blocked shots, pressure on the puck. Got pinned some, but not bad.
NIEVES - very noticeable (all good) in the first, not as much thereafter, but played an excellent bottom 6 game.
DEANGELO - I hesitate on this one. Almost had him in the top third, and there were a couple of plays late second/early third that were gorgeous, but there were stretches where he was trapped in his own end. Just don't know how much of that was to be pinned on Staal and how much on him. Overall, some excellent breakouts, both skating and passing, and not textbook D, but some really nice recoveries/covers for his partner. Good to see.
ANDERSSON - continues to play a solid subtle game, but also flashed one play in particular where he drove the entire Philly squad back off the line on an entry. Never gives up on a play, phenomenal defensive play for a rookie center. Didn't make much noise in the offensive zone, though I did like some of his subtle passes and tenacity. Chytil is the more offensively gifted player, but he's also being put in more of a position to benefit offensively. Still think Lias should make the team as a bottom sixer. Think he has more to offer as he gets older.
CAREY - have him pegged as a surefire AHLer, but this was his best game by far. Made a case for himself.
LETTIERI - really like his upside as a bottom-6er. Suddenly the organization has a bunch of prospects to play the role, which is great. Continued to do what he does well in terms of pressing the puck, shooting, being a waterbug on the ice. BUT, missed some clears, failed to get it deep a couple of times, etc. Like his future as a 3rd liner, just don't know if his flashes of good and bad outweigh the more neutral, less flashy plays of a guy like Fontaine.
SHATTENKIRK - not as noticeable tonight. A couple of classic passes, one almost huge mistake. If this is what qualifies as a down game, I'm not worried.
SMITH - solid, unspectacular. He has an advantage in that he brings size and sandpaper that we don't have from many others, but if our kids keep progressing as they have, he may be traded within 12 months (and I say that meaning no disrespect).
Expected to be cut:
PUEMPEL - a decent game, but I wonder how much of that was the result of the work his linemates did. Disappears too often. Did not make any egregious plays, just didn't anything that stood out the way those above him did.
STAAL - crikey, he's toast. A couple of nice plays joining the rush (so long as he was passing, and not receiving), but still brutal in the D-zone. Unfortunately I think he makes the team, but he's not one of our top six based on anything other than experience.
KAMPFER - ugh. Looked AWFUL. In the past, I've liked him as an 8th D, and I wonder if he was trying to take his shot to look like he belonged in the top 6 or just had a bad game, but either way, he stuck out in a really bad way. Every time the Flyers had the puck for an extended shift in the zone it seemed like he was involved –*and what the heck was he doing on the first goal against?
