Game 12 Stray Observations: Dallas Beats Columbus 5-2
Another slow start. At last, a comfortable win.
There’s not a whole lot to say even though there’s a lot to talk about. Dallas’ slow start meant a two-goal deficit. Then they scored five unanswered straight. They were good ones too, with Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin getting some confidence goals. Granted, it was against a bad team, but who cares? A win’s a win, right?
Meh. Dallas’ problems showed up against a bad team, and their strengths showed up against a bad team. It’s hard to read too much into that. If you’re more of a positive thinker (I’m not, but only because I like to focus on the ‘thinking’ part and damn the rest; however poorly I manage), then you’re reassured by the fact that a slow start doesn’t mean an inevitable loss. If you’re “negative” then you’re appreciating the result while belaboring the continued habits. It’s early, so as the facts change, so should our assessments. But a 60-minute effort would be nice.
Still, so far it still feels like we’re all waiting. As Sean pointed out in his three thoughts, “It should be noted, of those eight wins, all eight have come against teams that were under .500 at the time of the game. Of the Stars five losses, all four have come against teams in playoff position.”
The Stars remain 1st in the Central, which is great. But they’re 8th in goal differential, which speaks to their erratic play. And that’s despite some quality goaltending. While I believe their success is something of a mirage, the performance of a lot of individuals is not. Duchene, Harley, Lundkvist, Heiskanen, Oettinger, the fourth line: a lot of players are coming through even if the chemistry is not.
Stray Observations
Power Play struggles continue
I’m gonna break down the power play next week (paid) with some video analysis. My early impressions are that they play rushed. Players are shooting too quick, and not trusting their formation. Beyond that, their entries have been brutal, less for being ineffective (which they are), and more because their opponents are having way too much success burning time with the puck. That fact was highlighted to comedic proportions against Philly, who scored three shorthanded goals. But this continues to be a major problem, regardless of opponent. It’s telling that the second unit is way more in sync.
Ryan Suter’s first two shifts
I’m usually pretty quiet when it comes to Suter. Well; lately. I like to add to any discussion, and piling on the Suter criticism doesn’t add anything. However, the ESPN broadcast was fawning over him, and because the discussion has shifted to criticisms of Esa Lindell and Jani Hakanpaa, I couldn’t help myself when two turnovers resulted in chances against, along with a key he gave to Jack Roslovic to enter the zone, which eventually turned into the game’s first goal against.
I feel bad for Robert Tiffin (not really because he seems like a super cool guy). He wrote a thoughtful piece (the only kind he’s capable of) about the new-look blueline paying dividends only for DeBoer to start doing this:
Double-shifting Suter. Why? To protect Harley-Lundkvist?
Whatever the case I don’t want to sit here and talk about Suter all night. He has a cozy gig playing next to Miro Heiskanen and yet he still manages to be visible for all the wrong reasons. This isn’t about his defense either. It’s about the fact that he’s always activating. Maybe it’s his form of protest over being taken off the second unit, but it needs to stop.
Suter hasn’t been bad but there’s no such thing as an invisible top pairing defensemen, and that’s how he was played tonight (second among all blueliners at nearly 22 minutes and 48 percent control of shot attempts).
Ty Dellandrea, a healthy scratch
These are unfair this early into the season, but I only post it to illustrate a quick point: Dellandrea needs to be in the lineup.
The shot quality is there, and the defense is really there.
If he had scored 30 points as a rookie, nobody would be questioning whether he should be an everyday NHLer, and he nearly accomplished that.
Matt Duchene: Dallas’ best forward?
Early on, Duchene wasn’t noticeable, but I felt like it had more to do with the line he was on, and the chemistry they were struggling to develop. But in terms of being threat from shift to shift, it certainly feels that way.
Safe to say, Dallas creates way more with him on ice. In fact, there’s an extremely noticeable difference.
The other aspect is what that effect is having on his line with Marchment and Seguin. Easily one of Nill’s best moves, and why I was such a fan when it happened.
The Columbus Perspective
Between the Mike Babcock fiasco, the Erik Gudbranson signing, the Kent Johnson-to-the-AHL assignment, and David Jiricek’s healthy scratch J armo Kekalainen has done a number on the Blue Jackets franchise. I feel bad for Blue Jackets fans who should have reason to be excited. Adam Fantilli is a franchise center, and Johnson could be another.
The problem is that their leadership has no vision. They rush their kids, but they don’t trust them. They need veterans, but they go after the wrong ones. Are they rebuilding or retooling? The guts are there
Suter activating is something I have noticed, plus opposition teams are also leaving him free at the point and focusing on Miro. This means he often receives the puck with plenty of space and is allowed to try and do something. Hence, he becomes ultra-aggressive, and it leaves Miro to be the stay-at-home defender.
This feels Hegelian. Please explain...