Matt Ross: Game 6: FLA vs NJ

Barkov left a preseason game early, maybe had his bell rung or something upper body, idk. He's always started seasons slowly (as has the whole team), so maybe it's only that once again. Another thing that is kinda similar to last couple of years, when they focus on playing well defensively the team's offense tends to drop off noticeably. Acciari's line 4 is the only one Q is happy with, he's tinkering with the other 3 since the Canes blitzed them in the first period. Hunt's gonna get one soon, lol, he hits the post every game. Malgin has looked good since going in for Borgstrom.
An afternoon game against a struggling team.
FL sucks in afternoon games. Last year a game vs the Panthers was just what the Dr ordered for a struggling team, they were the slumpbusters. Maybe today they'll be ready to roll and break out of their own little slump.

Florida has the offense, goaltending and coaching but it's their poor defense that has hurt them. How long before Tallon has to make a trade to get 1 or 2 solid 3/4 d-men. It won't come cheaply but it will have to be done if this team wants to make it to the postseason.

Barkov left a preseason game early, maybe had his bell rung or something upper body, idk. He's always started seasons slowly (as has the whole team), so maybe it's only that once again. Another thing that is kinda similar to last couple of years, when they focus on playing well defensively the team's offense tends to drop off noticeably. Acciari's line 4 is the only one Q is happy with, he's tinkering with the other 3 since the Canes blitzed them in the first period. Hunt's gonna get one soon, lol, he hits the post every game. Malgin has looked good since going in for Borgstrom.
An afternoon game against a struggling team.
FL sucks in afternoon games. Last year a game vs the Panthers was just what the Dr ordered for a struggling team, they were the slumpbusters. Maybe today they'll be ready to roll and break out of their own little slump.
- Ratsreign

Rats -

I thought he NYI game was going to be the “breakout.” If they don’t do it today, I think that’ll be a little alarming.

Florida has the offense, goaltending and coaching but it's their poor defense that has hurt them. How long before Tallon has to make a trade to get 1 or 2 solid 3/4 d-men. It won't come cheaply but it will have to be done if this team wants to make it to the postseason.
- islansjet

Yep. Strangely enough, the offense has gone away now, but I agree that defense is the bigger issue and has been for some time.

I’m curious what Tallon will do (if anything). I think they’re waiting to get more games in to see what they can/can’t do. I still want to see Stillman get some time up here on the blue line.

Florida has the offense, goaltending and coaching but it's their poor defense that has hurt them. How long before Tallon has to make a trade to get 1 or 2 solid 3/4 d-men. It won't come cheaply but it will have to be done if this team wants to make it to the postseason.
- islansjet

Matheson has looked much better the last few games. They are showing improvement as the games go. Q's new pairings seem to be working better. Rumors that they've been looking for such a d-man to add. But, no need to rush into anything, still some old habits to fully squash.

Rats -

I thought he NYI game was going to be the “breakout.” If they don’t do it today, I think that’ll be a little alarming.
- Matt Ross

Especially after a summer's worth of talk of the importance of fast starts, sense of urgency, not digging holes, "team to beat", and all that.

Cats in NJ pregame rushes
1pm @FOXSportsFL
Huberdeau-Barkov-Dadonov
Hoffman-Trocheck-Connolly
Vatrano-Borgstrom-Malgin
Hunt-Acciari-Sceviour
Weegar-Ekblad
Matheson-Stralman
Yandle-Brown
Bobrovsky

Forward lines back to what opening night was.
Hubie scores on sweet pass from dadonov @ 16 seconds. Hall ties it a couple minutes later. Fast pace to start.

Cats in NJ pregame rushes
1pm @FOXSportsFL
Huberdeau-Barkov-Dadonov
Hoffman-Trocheck-Connolly
Vatrano-Borgstrom-Malgin
Hunt-Acciari-Sceviour
Weegar-Ekblad
Matheson-Stralman
Yandle-Brown
Bobrovsky
Forward lines back to what opening night was.
Hubie scores on sweet pass from dadonov @ 16 seconds. Hall ties it a couple minutes later. Fast pace to start.
- Ratsreign

A little too much room there for Hall to work. Nothing Bob could do. He came out to challenge, but Hall had the space. Took advantage of a little defensive breakdown.

A little too much room there for Hall to work. Nothing Bob could do. He came out to challenge, but Hall had the space. Took advantage of a little defensive breakdown.
- Matt Ross

Yeah, he had all day there. So familiar watching them carry the play and get nothing, only to give up a late goal and go to intermission frustrated to be trailing a game they probably shouldn't be. Then the second period complete poop show ensues.
SlumpBusters...

Yeah, he had all day there. So familiar watching them carry the play and get nothing, only to give up a late goal and go to intermission frustrated to be trailing a game they probably shouldn't be. Then the second period complete poop show ensues.
SlumpBusters...
- Ratsreign

Rats -

You want to bet Connolly gets a hat trick? After his first goal, he had some big time looks, but couldn’t bury it. Now he finally did.

He’s got the hot stick and I have a feeling he’ll get another one in the third.

Rats -

You want to bet Connolly gets a hat trick? After his first goal, he had some big time looks, but couldn’t bury it. Now he finally did.

He’s got the hot stick and I have a feeling he’ll get another one in the third.
- Matt Ross

I wouldn't be surprised. The second one was a snipe. At least they wake up after going down 2 (or 3), should be an interesting third. Wtf is Yandle doing today? Passing it to imaginary men.

I wouldn't be surprised. The second one was a snipe. At least they wake up after going down 2 (or 3), should be an interesting third. Wtf is Yandle doing today? Passing it to imaginary men.
- Ratsreign

I feel like Connolly or Hunt are getting the next one...

Ahh, my guy Acciari!!!

Ahh, my guy Acciari!!!
- Matt Ross

Noel F Acciari! Quickly becoming a fan favorite.