NHL's Opening Night
It was the NHL's opening night, yesterday, and I was able to see two games featuring: Toronto-Ottawa and Dallas-Colorado. I'll give you my first impression on what I saw last night.
Ottawa: They were lost, all game, in their own end, making mistakes after mistakes. Gerber was solid and he saved the day for Ottawa in the first period. Their offense was fine and was sparked by Spezza, Heatley and Fisher. It was the first game but playing without big "Z" will not be easy as Muckler said on TV. Still, they will be a tough client to handle.
Toronto: They looked and played like expected: this is not a playoff team. The offense will have tough time to put the puck in the net and it will be harder when they will face premium goaltending. Their powerplay was not good at all (I know it's the first game). Raycroft had a 50-50 performance where, in the first half of the game, it was the Raycroft of last year. In the second half, it was the solid Raycroft of his rookie year. Good'ol Hal looked SLOW and he was outskated by Chris Neil and it lead to Neil's highlight reel goal. After one game, the fans and the media are all over Gill. In fact, he didn't played a single game but the whole city was, already, all over him. It will be a very, very long year for Gill.
Dallas: I must admit that they surprised me. Their speed and their offensive punch was very good and they outshooted Colorado something like 19-4 in the 3rd period. Turco was excellent in the first period, even, if though the Av's scored two goals on the PP. They were in trouble in OT with an early penalty but Turco make a nifty pass to Sidor (his penalty was over) at center ice and he scored on the breakaway. A very good and exciting play.
Colorado: Their offense will be good this year but the Av's will have trouble in defense. Last night, in the 3rd period, they were overwhelmed by Dallas and Theodore was exceptional to keep them alive. In fact, it was the So, if the Av's want have a chance to play this spring, Theodore will have to perform at this level all season long.
A very good impression for the first night and the referees are still calling the game as last year. But the big difference is the adjustement the players made. There was only 3 powerplays for Ottawa mid second period. But still, obstruction and hooking are cracked down very fast by the officials. Can't wait to see our team perform Friday.
Ottawa: They were lost, all game, in their own end, making mistakes after mistakes. Gerber was solid and he saved the day for Ottawa in the first period. Their offense was fine and was sparked by Spezza, Heatley and Fisher. It was the first game but playing without big "Z" will not be easy as Muckler said on TV. Still, they will be a tough client to handle.
Toronto: They looked and played like expected: this is not a playoff team. The offense will have tough time to put the puck in the net and it will be harder when they will face premium goaltending. Their powerplay was not good at all (I know it's the first game). Raycroft had a 50-50 performance where, in the first half of the game, it was the Raycroft of last year. In the second half, it was the solid Raycroft of his rookie year. Good'ol Hal looked SLOW and he was outskated by Chris Neil and it lead to Neil's highlight reel goal. After one game, the fans and the media are all over Gill. In fact, he didn't played a single game but the whole city was, already, all over him. It will be a very, very long year for Gill.
Dallas: I must admit that they surprised me. Their speed and their offensive punch was very good and they outshooted Colorado something like 19-4 in the 3rd period. Turco was excellent in the first period, even, if though the Av's scored two goals on the PP. They were in trouble in OT with an early penalty but Turco make a nifty pass to Sidor (his penalty was over) at center ice and he scored on the breakaway. A very good and exciting play.
Colorado: Their offense will be good this year but the Av's will have trouble in defense. Last night, in the 3rd period, they were overwhelmed by Dallas and Theodore was exceptional to keep them alive. In fact, it was the So, if the Av's want have a chance to play this spring, Theodore will have to perform at this level all season long.
A very good impression for the first night and the referees are still calling the game as last year. But the big difference is the adjustement the players made. There was only 3 powerplays for Ottawa mid second period. But still, obstruction and hooking are cracked down very fast by the officials. Can't wait to see our team perform Friday.
posted by Latrappe at 8:28 AM
6 Comments:
Hal gill got burned so bad on that 2nd goal and left poor razor to deal with a breakaway. I though razor had a pretty soild game except for that 3rd goal which was just sad
Yes, that's why the B's let Gill go. In this new NHL, you cannot afford to have a D who is slow as Gill is. He look bad on that goal..
The worst thing in this, is that Gill have a 3 years contract. It will be one of the reasons why Ferguson will get the gate...
Nice game breakdown! I am so glad Gill is out of our lives.
Hey latrappe, are you and Matt in Quebec? I am in Gatineau.
I'm in the Montreal area :-)
Boston treebob
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