Didn't realize he was still that young, thought he almost made the club a couple seasons ago.
- hillbillydeluxe

Three points in two games for the crunch including a wicked game winner:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T-xotikL8Ao

Wow, 2 losses in a row for the 'Hawks, that's worrisome.

That was a disastrous head to head matchup of first lines.

Henrik not only coughed up the first goal but also lost the battle to Stamkos on the second after a dreadful give away from the top pairing of defense. I know a lot of people like Hamhuis, but he's always in my doghouse...if I had to trade a Dman, it would be him.

Lost in the FO circle again.

Like that the team played well overall.
- Ronning4ever

After a brutal start, I didn't think that the first line matched up too poorly against Stamkos as the game went on. They even stripped him of the puck which led to a goal. Our goaltending was decent, there's was outstanding.

After a very odd schedule to start the season where they weren't able to get into any kind of rhythm, I was pretty happy with what I saw. They definitely need to start games better though.

Wow, 2 losses in a row for the 'Hawks, that's worrisome.
- DariusKnight

Doubt they're too worried. I feel like they might not turn it on until January and coast by until then.

After a brutal start, I didn't think that the first line matched up too poorly against Stamkos as the game went on. They even stripped him of the puck which led to a goal. Our goaltending was decent, there's was outstanding.

After a very odd schedule to start the season where they weren't able to get into any kind of rhythm, I was pretty happy with what I saw. They definitely need to start games better though.
- CubanBuffet

wasn't that burrows that stripped him...so wouldn't that be second line

Outside of our first line forwards, which has 6 goals combined, there have only been five goals scored, by the rest of the forwards, by five different players...is that an issue thus far?

Is it NHL or Juniors for Drouin too after the 9 games?
- hillbillydeluxe

I read Tampa management indicated it's basically his job to lose, and they really want him to be part of the active roster

Outside of our first line forwards, which has 6 goals combined, there have only been five goals scored, by the rest of the forwards, by five different players...is that an issue thus far?
- LeftCoaster

4 games in we are averaging just under 3 goals/game. Compared to last year I call that a goddamned miracle

4 games in we are averaging just under 3 goals/game. Compared to last year I call that a goddamned miracle
- bezz44

I'm worried that only the twins, who look to be back to their normal selves, will produce offence.

I'm worried that only the twins, who look to be back to their normal selves, will produce offence.
- LeftCoaster

Both Edler and Burrows look better too.

Outside of our first line forwards, which has 6 goals combined, there have only been five goals scored, by the rest of the forwards, by five different players...is that an issue thus far?
- LeftCoaster

down the road, maybe

but the fact the 1st line is producing like that at least shows they'll be ahead of last seasons numbers. They're 20% there for goals

I'm worried that only the twins, who look to be back to their normal selves, will produce offence.
- LeftCoaster

I wouldn't really be worried, the second line, who we were all worried about most seem to be working well. A goal for Higgins, Bonino, and Burrows. Vey will continue to grow offensively with all the PP1 time he is getting, and with all the rest we can only hope that they will perform up to a decent standard. At the very least they seem to be taking the pressure off the twins, even if they aren't scoring a whole lot

I wouldn't really be worried, the second line, who we were all worried about most seem to be working well. A goal for Higgins, Bonino, and Burrows. Vey will continue to grow offensively with all the PP1 time he is getting, and with all the rest we can only hope that they will perform up to a decent standard. At the very least they seem to be taking the pressure off the twins, even if they aren't scoring a whole lot
- bezz44

I know guys get moved up and down the lineup with regularity, but, we don't seem to have an established trio on lines two and three. I wish we had a somewhat set top six, but no on seems to be separating themselves out of the bottom nine.

End of the day at work, just thought I'd shoot the poop to end the day.

down the road, maybe

but the fact the 1st line is producing like that at least shows they'll be ahead of last seasons numbers. They're 20% there for goals
- numbear

Ya I know it's early, one or two games could make a world of difference, but you can see there's no real separation from lines two and three.

I know guys get moved up and down the lineup with regularity, but, we don't seem to have an established trio on lines two and three. I wish we had a somewhat set top six, but no on seems to be separating themselves out of the bottom nine.

End of the day at work, just thought I'd shoot the poop to end the day.
- LeftCoaster

I missed the Edmonton game on Friday but from what I've seen the second line has been Burrows, Bonino, Higgins consistently no?

I missed the Edmonton game on Friday but from what I've seen the second line has been Burrows, Bonino, Higgins consistently no?
- bezz44

I think they've been mixing in Kassian and Vey?

I think they've been mixing in Kassian and Vey?
- LeftCoaster

Really? Interesting... Both of those guys have top 6 upside so why not give them some opportunities?

I know guys get moved up and down the lineup with regularity, but, we don't seem to have an established trio on lines two and three. I wish we had a somewhat set top six, but no on seems to be separating themselves out of the bottom nine.

End of the day at work, just thought I'd shoot the poop to end the day.
- LeftCoaster

Really it is just the 2nd line that is in a bit of flux. Higgins has been pretty good but am glad they are trying different guys getting different looks.

Outside of our first line forwards, which has 6 goals combined, there have only been five goals scored, by the rest of the forwards, by five different players...is that an issue thus far?
- LeftCoaster

That has been an ongoing issue for years. At least the twins seemed to have bounced back from last season.

That has been an ongoing issue for years. At least the twins seemed to have bounced back from last season.
- AlexF

Ya they look good so far. I wish trader Jim could work up a deal for a legitimate second line young established winger.

We definitely missed Kesler last night. Bonino might be able to come close to matching his offensive output, but it's hard to replace a guy that can win face offs and shut down the top line.

Dallas could be rough.

Ya they look good so far. I wish trader Jim could work up a deal for a legitimate second line young established winger.
- LeftCoaster

I was wishing that of Gillis as well. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a pipedream, but you've gotta give to get and it would have to be one of those quantity for quality deals to make any difference to us. Those are hard to get done.

We definitely missed Kesler last night. Bonino might be able to come close to matching his offensive output, but it's hard to replace a guy that can win face offs and shut down the top line.

Dallas could be rough.
- CubanBuffet

That's where a center like Horvat would be nice. Defensive awareness and good on the dot.

That's where a center like Horvat would be nice. Defensive awareness and good on the dot.
- LeftCoaster

Tough task for a teenager to be used as a shutdown 3LC. Only recent guy like that I can think of is Couturier?

Really it is just the 2nd line that is in a bit of flux. Higgins has been pretty good but am glad they are trying different guys getting different looks.
- hillbillydeluxe

2nd line works their ass off, but they lack puck-handling, finishing ability and creativity. Bonino is the only guy on that line with some top 6 level skill in those 3 areas. Higgins gets unfairly paired(value-wise) with Hansen by the fans IMO, Higgins is proving for the 2nd straight season to be the better player. It's too bad the Canucks aren't good enough to use him where he belongs, on the third line.