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Forums :: Blog World :: Sam Hitchcock: What I Liked and Disliked from the Bolts-Blues Game
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Sam Hitchcock
Joined: 10.13.2017

Nov 28 @ 10:34 AM ET
Sam Hitchcock: What I Liked and Disliked from the Bolts-Blues Game
GalacticStone
Tampa Bay Lightning
Location: Supercharged engine powered by high octane butthurt
Joined: 01.29.2013

Nov 28 @ 1:09 PM ET
Frustrating game to watch. I had a hunch Binnington was going to make life difficult when he robbed Palat on that early chance. Vasi got out-dueled. Hopefully all that money hasn't gone to his head and created a distraction.

There is no participation trophy for playing a close game against the defending champ. You are either good enough to beat them, or not. The Lightning lost both matchups. In a 7-game series, I'd be surprised if the Bolts took it to game six before being eliminated by this Blues squad.

There is still a lot of work to do and Cooper isn't doing it. As Sam said, the PP entries are an open book and every team has memorized that book. It's telegraphed. And it's ineffective. It's like a flee-flicker play in football - just run it once in a while to keep the other team honest, but don't run one on every play. This team has enough talented puck-handlers (even without Stamkos), so the PP should be successful while mixing things up.

Palat - Point - Kucherov seems to be a solid combo.

Maroon - Paquette - Gourde is also solid.

Killorn - Cirelli makes a good tag team

Beyond that, there seems to be some lack of chemistry and permanence between the 2nd and 3rd lines.

Johnson hasn't really found his footing yet.

Verhageemouse hasn't moved the needle.

Conacher also doesn't move the needle.

Joseph has great hustle, but stone hands and no finishing.

Volkov hasn't shown much other than getting hurt.

Once Stamkos gets back, I'd try putting him with Cirelli and Killorn and see if that works.





Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators
Location: "Caresi > Corsi"
Joined: 10.24.2011

Nov 28 @ 1:47 PM ET
Frustrating game to watch. I had a hunch Binnington was going to make life difficult when he robbed Palat on that early chance. Vasi got out-dueled. Hopefully all that money hasn't gone to his head and created a distraction.

There is no participation trophy for playing a close game against the defending champ. You are either good enough to beat them, or not. The Lightning lost both matchups. In a 7-game series, I'd be surprised if the Bolts took it to game six before being eliminated by this Blues squad.

There is still a lot of work to do and Cooper isn't doing it. As Sam said, the PP entries are an open book and every team has memorized that book. It's telegraphed. And it's ineffective. It's like a flee-flicker play in football - just run it once in a while to keep the other team honest, but don't run one on every play. This team has enough talented puck-handlers (even without Stamkos), so the PP should be successful while mixing things up.

Palat - Point - Kucherov seems to be a solid combo.

Maroon - Paquette - Gourde is also solid.

Killorn - Cirelli makes a good tag team

Beyond that, there seems to be some lack of chemistry and permanence between the 2nd and 3rd lines.

Johnson hasn't really found his footing yet.

Verhageemouse hasn't moved the needle.

Conacher also doesn't move the needle.

Joseph has great hustle, but stone hands and no finishing.

Volkov hasn't shown much other than getting hurt.

Once Stamkos gets back, I'd try putting him with Cirelli and Killorn and see if that works.

- GalacticStone


Vasilevskiy has been bad for a while now. If he doesn't get it figured out, that contract will look like a real albatross sooner rather than later.
GalacticStone
Tampa Bay Lightning
Location: Supercharged engine powered by high octane butthurt
Joined: 01.29.2013

Nov 28 @ 2:30 PM ET
Vasilevskiy has been bad for a while now. If he doesn't get it figured out, that contract will look like a real albatross sooner rather than later.
- Michael_Stuart

Agreed. There's no value in that contract so far this season.

leafluver27
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 07.20.2012

Nov 28 @ 2:42 PM ET
Agreed. There's no value in that contract so far this season.
- GalacticStone

Players in NHL that sign big $$$ contracts always seem to try too hard in the first year of their big contract. Vasilevskiy will be fine but may not be until later in season or next season
BluesDroogie
St Louis Blues
Location: St. Louis, MO
Joined: 06.12.2014

Nov 28 @ 9:58 PM ET
I thought that game was great. Back and forth and toughness. The better team won! Let’s Go Blues!!!!!