Better hockey... better goals, passing, everything was a bit better. A bit more heated and angry as well.
Delmas was great with a few beauty saves. Corbeil started really strong as well... can't remember the first goal that got by him and then got beat on a PS. Terenzio was ok, not great... got a piece of the first goal on him and was beat by a nice but saveable shot on the second goal... not really sure about him yet, looks quite small.
Gillard is playing very well and reminds me a lot of Bodnarchuk. He looks the most improved of the D so far... skates great with and without the puck. Plays physical. Should be a big part of the D this year and going forward. Is playing with Clarke and depite them both being righthanded they make sense to be the 2nd pair.
Clarke is playing his game. Heavy shot. Pissing guys off. He had a fight tonight on his terms and at the right time. He dropped them with Warner who was running around and had just hurt MacDonald. Clarke didn't really throw and punches and Warner threw a lot but nothing really landed.
Pelletier I never seem to notice except that he stood up to some good hits. Desmond looks to have some offense and some grit but his just not quite at a high enough level. Kavanaugh again showed a good shot but didn't see him much
Hannay could use another step but he was the same last year and was ok. Definitely bigger and stronger this year.
Lewis is tough not to like... will skate through a wall type of guy. One of the most physical, one of the most willing to rush, and one big shot. Bishop was a bit better tonight... it will be interesting to see how he progresses.
Desmerais was a great pick... he looks ready now but sending him back to play a lot is still probably best for him. Physically mature for a young D... like to get involved along the boards and around the net.
Grant, Bety, Randell were all a little better tonight.
Gelinas is making lots of slick plays and finished a nice one late in the game tonight.
Ciampini got more involved tonight and looked better. He had lots of chances tonight. Both and Ryan were pretty good... Ryan had a decent goal.
Souligny has some skill and grit. I like his game. One of those guy I'm looking forward to see vs. other teams. Similar story with Davis... had several more hits tonight, hacked down Clarke at one point.
Warner greasy, dirty, shit disturber and was looking for fights with Clarke all night. He seemed to take it a bit far at times (injured MacDonald) but another player I want to see vs. another team. Didn't land many punches but threw a lot and was throwing hard vs. Clarke... as for his second fight see below.
Wigginton, Cotello and Belanger all 19 played together a fair bit but didn't do a ton. I wonder how much of a chance they really have/how long they'll be kept.
MacDonald is playing quite well... played some with Boudreau and I think Lemieux and they played well.
McGuigan is doing what he should be doing to make this team... don't know who it will be at the expense of but i hope he does. Seems to be playing centre and is playing a good physical game. A little while after the Warner/Clarke fight, Boudreau was lined up at centre for the faceoff. When the puck dropped Boudreau went right to the bench and McGuigan jumped on and went right for Warner. They dropped em, traded some good punches and McGuigan ended it pounding Warner to ice with some heavy shots. The fans liked it, the bench was pumped and Russell and company were all smiling.
Boudreau I actually though was one of the best forwards tonight especially in the offensive zone. Just very good at slowing things down, seeing plays and taking any space he's given. Brilliant set up on MacDonald's goal. Played awesome. He and Ashley remind me of each other.
Desjardins was the best player and was sniping what seemed like endless laser to the top corner tonight. He has the speed, intensity and now looks like he added some finish... playing well with Andrews and Ashley.
Andrews I haven't been noticing him a ton but his line has been good both nights.
Ashley he went off hurt with the same thing 3 times and didn't come back after the last time. Apparently practice was brutal today so I hope it was just cramping... if he was really injured I'm not sure why he kept coming back. Even hurt he was making some great plays.