GDT: Blackhawks @ Sens. 7:30 PM EST

It was a weird game. was bad to start and then became very good. We scored all our goals in the 1st and then sat back a little, but also Ward was very good (stopping Boedker on the PP from the doorstep and Dzingel on a breakaway come to mind).

The D was a mixed bag, but the young guys were encouraging. I couldn't help but laugh on the sequence that lead to Chicago's tying goal in the 3rd. Boro tries to get the puck up the boards, Chicago keeps it in. A bouncing puck comes to Ceci, who whiffs on it, and Chicago gets it behind the net. Boro goes to chase the guy behind the net, Chicago passes it through him to an open guy in the slot who buries it. And these are our two "veterans" on the blue line.

Anyway, pretty good for the first game all in all! It was great to see Lajoie play well and actually show that the Sens' hockey ops department does know what it's doing some of the time.

Formenton had some great chances, Boedker hit two posts, Stone missed a good chance or two, Andy let in some weak goals. Should have been a win but not a bad end result.

I am hopeful Ceci is traded at the deadline. I don't think Jaros can be any worse. There was a replay that showed Ceci take a shot from the blueline directly at Ward's chest. He had two Sens players wide open at either side of the net for a tap-in. He has zero hockey IQ.

As for Boro it is hard to say what they do with him. Chabot and Lajoie appear to be going nowhere and Wolanin is NHL ready. That should be our left side. Wideman played well, and De Melo did his job. Maybe down the road they have Boro on his off-wing but I just don't see how they can fit all these guys in.

Chabot-Wideman
Wolanin-Jaros
Lajoie-Boro

Well, by giving Boro the part time "A", I assume he'll be in the lineup most of the year.

There's nothing wrong with Wolanin and Jaros spending a bunch of time in Belleville. Belleville should be good this year, too, so a winning atmosphere will be a bonus. They'll each get some NHL time due to to injuries, but again, I'm fine with them getting a bunch of AHL time.

Decent game considering Duchene wasn't good and cost us the OT goal IMO. Pumped to get Tkachuk back in there.

Tkachuk will make sure the forecheck doesn't soften as the game goes on I think.

Duchene was poor. I'm also annoyed at Smith taking draws when he can't win them.

Kane made absolute fools of boro and ceci on the tying goal. Lulled them into following him and beat them both.

PTFlea wrote:Tkachuk will make sure the forecheck doesn't soften as the game goes on I think.

Duchene was poor.  I'm also annoyed at Smith taking draws when he can't win them.

Kane made absolute fools of boro and ceci on the tying goal.  Lulled them into following him and beat them both.  

It's Patrick Kane. These players are superstars for a reason.

Ceci and Boro the absolute worst pairing on he ice last night. They both looked so slow

It was nice to see Colin White having a strong game. I know it's only one game but he played really well and his hockey IQ was quite evident. Would like to see him replace Smith on L2 as a regular. Could be a dynamite 2nd line.

I didn't think Duchene was awful aside from that OT giveaway. In his defence they probably didn't practice OT very much with Dzingel and Chabot replacing Hoffman and Karlsson out there.

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:It was nice to see Colin White having a strong game. I know it's only one game but he played really well and his hockey IQ was quite evident. Would like to see him replace Smith on L2 as a regular. Could be a dynamite 2nd line.

I didn't think Duchene was awful aside from that OT giveaway. In his defence they probably didn't practice OT very much with Dzingel and Chabot replacing Hoffman and Karlsson out there.

He played on a line with Smith last night.

Ev wrote:

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:It was nice to see Colin White having a strong game. I know it's only one game but he played really well and his hockey IQ was quite evident. Would like to see him replace Smith on L2 as a regular. Could be a dynamite 2nd line.

I didn't think Duchene was awful aside from that OT giveaway. In his defence they probably didn't practice OT very much with Dzingel and Chabot replacing Hoffman and Karlsson out there.

He played on a line with Smith last night.

Yes but Smith played in Tkachuk's spot. I'd like to see Tkachuk-White-Stone as a line

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:

Ev wrote:

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:It was nice to see Colin White having a strong game. I know it's only one game but he played really well and his hockey IQ was quite evident. Would like to see him replace Smith on L2 as a regular. Could be a dynamite 2nd line.

I didn't think Duchene was awful aside from that OT giveaway. In his defence they probably didn't practice OT very much with Dzingel and Chabot replacing Hoffman and Karlsson out there.

He played on a line with Smith last night.

Yes but Smith played in Tkachuk's spot. I'd like to see Tkachuk-White-Stone as a line

I think Smith was the centre the majority of the time. I would like to see that line as well, though.

Ev wrote:

PTFlea wrote:Tkachuk will make sure the forecheck doesn't soften as the game goes on I think.

Duchene was poor.  I'm also annoyed at Smith taking draws when he can't win them.

Kane made absolute fools of boro and ceci on the tying goal.  Lulled them into following him and beat them both.  

It's Patrick Kane. These players are superstars for a reason.

yeah, but they both went for him behind the net. A stupid decision and he destroyed them.

Andy was a little too deep in his goal, too.

But overall, 45 shots or whatever they gave up is too many. Foot was not on the gas pedal the whole game. That much was pretty evident.

wprager wrote:Andy was a little too deep in his goal, too.

But overall, 45 shots or whatever they gave up is too many. Foot was not on the gas pedal the whole game. That much was pretty evident.

They stopped forechecking, it's as simple as that.

wprager wrote:Andy was a little too deep in his goal, too.

But overall, 45 shots or whatever they gave up is too many. Foot was not on the gas pedal the whole game. That much was pretty evident.

This is game one but let’s be honest. If this is the style of play we are going to see this year with the way youth is playing, Andy will be left high and dry to stop 40-50shots a game all year.

Andy actually does quite well when he’s kept with a high shot percentage. Condon... not so sure. Actually, it’s a toss up with Andy. Usually let’s a few silly goals in before he shuts the door.
I have faith in us getting more than a couple goals a game from these players.

Not sure if that’s good or bad but it will be entertaining!

They have to make absolutely sure about tkachuk. I bet he wants to play bad tonight.