Well let me start by saying I agree with msweets assesment of the Devs looking a bit slow out there. I know it is only game 1 but I am under the impression we are supposed to be a very very fast team this year. I am hoping it is just because it is game 1 and the boys are still getting game legs and getting used to playing together.
Now onto Observations about certain areas :
Defense, again I was told through the media etc. about how our defense was going to be the best defense in the league this season, and it was going to be a defense that many teams would envy. I know it is only game 1 but the Devs as a defensive unit played in my opinion poorly at best. Ottawa is a team we will have to beat (again in my opinion) if we want to go deep into the playoffs this year, and they really skated all around our defense. 30 plus shots?? Where were the speedy talented demen?? Which brings me to a second point the dmen that are supposed to be offensive minded? Where were they last evening? Rafalski looked almost invisible, and other than a few instances so did Neids. I am really hoping it is just going to take a few games for these guys to get into the right mindset and play like they are capable.
Offense: Well i am worried already, other than a great performance by Mad dog, we were limp offensively. Elias played ok, but Gomer was silent, Friessen may take a few games to get into gear but I am expecting more from him as well. I will stop there with the offense, enough said.
goaltending: surely the bright spot. Marty WON the game for us last night in no uncertain terms. He played at times brilliantly and stopped many close range good scoring chances. If he plays like that night in and night out we will win more than we lose, but he will need much better support from our "talented defense"
Special teams: Penalty kill, starting there because they played very well. Probably Burns' influence there but they looked very solid. Power play: well for as good as the Penalty kill looked the Power play looked just as bad. Couldnt set anything up it seemed, and I was really lookin for Oleg to make an impression there, and hopefully over the course of the year he will. Power play must get better. If we are speedy and will draw several penalties we need to make the opposition pay.
Overall: Well if i was going to give the team a grade I would give them a B-. Definately room for improvement but overall I am not going to get worked up as again I say it was only Game 1. I really think we will improve where needed.
Go Devs!!
