Lost the game but this was actually the first solid team performance of the preseason. Too many PPs interrupted the flow and meant a lot of the fringe guys didn't get much icetime. Except Dowling, who must have played 20 minutes.
- best thing by far was the performance of Podkolzin. Night and day difference in his performance. Looked more focused, direct, like he wanted the puck and was involved and effective. Still a few puck management issues but overall a huge positive. Probably turned his chances of making the team tonight.
- Horvat line was good again. Horvat had a ton of shots especially on the PP but Grubauer had his number. Think it's probably safe to say that will be a set line to start the season.
- Dickinson was oddly physical and involved which isn't really his game. Most low-event player ever. Does all the right things away from the puck but man is there no offense there.
- Di Giuseppe probably has made the team as a PK guy. Had some energy but I don't know how effective he actually was. But I'm pretty sure Green will love the optics of his performance.
- Lockwood is polarizing. I can see where people love his effort and physicality. But to me he just accomplishes nothing. And gets smashed more often than he hits guys.
- Dries and Focht can just go away. Neither should have been playing.
- MacEwen and Highmore both had moments but neither really distinguished themselves again. Both will be in tough to make the team, and could be the losers of Podkolzin's improved performance.
- Dowling played way too much but actually not terribly. I think he's a better player than Di Guiseppe but doesn't do the Ryan Johnson thing of appearing to try really hard quite as well as Di Giuseppe.
- Myers-OEL held up pretty well, although Myers had a few poor moments and dumb penalties. Still this was Myers' best game after some pretty dire efforts earlier.
- Rathbone was maybe a bit better? But I don't think he really helped his chances. And playing with a pylon in Schenn doesn't help. If Schenn was some journeyman on a two-way, nobody would think he should be anywhere near this roster.
- I like Burroughs and would be happy to see him stick, especially over Schenn. I like his skating, like his smarts. Juolevi was ... OK. Sometimes he makes a really advanced high IQ defensive play or a really pretty outlet pass, sometimes his skating just looks unplayable.
- Demko was outperformed by Grubauer. 4th goal in particular he didn't track the rebound very well.
You can see some guys setting up to have Vegas-style breakouts for Seattle. Geekie especially is very impressive but also McCann and Dunn, amongst others. Schwartz looks pretty done, though. Not sure that signing will end up looking great.