TropicalFruitGirl26

Canucks have been scuffling a bit on the win-loss front lately, but, even in losses, still play competitive games. Right now, have been watching them play a very good game against the Washington Capitals. After Jacob Markstrom gave up a quick goal to the Caps, I was thinking, "oh boy....Wash blowout of the Canucks coming up" But no...Markstrom settled in, came up large on many occasions, including a crazy OT. Game is in a SO, tied 1-1 as I finish this post. Canucks, as expected, still doing some "young inexperienced player stuff", but with vets like Miller and Markstrom keeping things under control, they always seem to recover. Vancouver did lose a big piece on the blue line early on in the game against the Caps: Alex Edler played a few shifts, then was not seen the rest of the game. No update yet on whether he will be ready for the next game or not.

Pageau seems like a ninja this season. He is quiet most of the game, in fact, you even forget about him.....then you look up at the end of the night, and he has 2 PP points and a 70%+ game at the face off dot...like he did against the Rangers yesterday.

Time to test the ol Lightning depth once again. No Stamkos, no Kucherov for probably the next several games. UBI's and LBI's abounding here. With Stamkos out, that makes Brayden Point the undisputed 1C on the team....but may leave a hole in the 2C position. Tyler Johnson looks like he will be moved back to center to try and make up for it, although young Anthony Cirelli, playing quite well as the 3C, can play like a top six center as well. Cedric Paquette mans the effective and steady 4th line. As for Kucherov's spot, the Bolts have called up Cory Conacher to fill his roster spot, although Conacher will no way be able to come close to producing anything like #86. A bit disappointed the Bolts didn't recall Alexander Volkov (22) or give big Taylor Raddysh (21) a shot at the NHL finally, but I trust the process with the Bolts, and think management still thinks those guys are better served playing their regular minutes in the minors for now. Bolts did skate away with a win last night against the Chicago Blackhawks in a game that saw some outstanding puck handling and play set ups from both sides, both Corey Crawford (Chi) and Curtis McBackup (TB) had to be sharp, and they were. Overall to date, the Lightning seem to be alternating wins and losses, not surprisingly, having them sit with a .500'ish record. Still not overly concerned with the team, although as they approach the quarter pole mark of the season, these alternating wins and losses will begin to look worse and worse for a team that is supposed to be a Cup contender. Of course, not having Stamkos or Kucherov is bad, but for years this team has always been about more than just a guy or two, or three...it is about everyone pulling, contributing, and depth to win the day. I certainly won't be using absent Stammer or Kuch as excuses for any losses. They get a chance to turn their win in Chicago into a two game streak when they face the Anaheim Ducks at Amalie Arena on Saturday.

Well, seems that way now, doesn't it? I bet that is the case with lots of these big contracts given to young guys recently, but in about another season or two, that contract may look like gold for what you get out of the player....especially if the Roman Josi comparison comes to pass.

Next up on player spotlight discussions: 22 yr old, soon to be 23, defenseman, Ivan Provorov, playing top pair minutes in a tough hockey market, on a team still with lots of holes, but still gives the franchise hope that he and some other young cornerstones on the team, will soon elevate the Flyers into contender status sooner than later. He made a pretty good debut in the NHL production-wise with a nice 30 point season, followed that up with an outburst of 17 G, 41 pts the following year, only to "step backwards" with 7G, 26 pts just last season, but looks to be making amends for that this year... as of this posting, he has 5G, 14 pts in just 22 games so far. I quoted "step backwards" because compared to his previous year, that is a massive downgrade in production, but then again, it falls in line with his rookie season numbers, which means...what? He can be at least a consistent 30 pt defenseman, with ceiling to grow and that perhaps 41 pts was too much too soon? But given his all around abilities, 41 points or more may be the norm for him pretty soon as well. And that is the thing I see from this young Russian. He doesn't seem one dimensional. Looks like the right type of defenseman that can handle the high, tough minutes against the best, while playing a pretty good two way game, even though at this stage, his game obviously isn't fully mature. He hits reasonably well, stays out of the penalty box for the most part while doing it, loves to shoot the puck, and from what I've seen from him this year, looks to be better about protecting the puck as the turnovers don't seem to come about as often from him this season. Have been trying to come up with an established player comparable... at first, thought Victor Hedman of the Lightning, but that doesn't seem quite right. Hedman has a size reach and advantage that allows him to maybe not be as agile on the ice as Provorov, but still get to and break up plays. Then thought, maybe a Jeff Petry of the Canadiens, with his steady reliable style, but that didn't seem quite right either...Provorov seems more dynamic on the attack than Petry. Maybe a Roman Josi? Similar skating ability, both about the same size, both two way players, and both had similar first two years in the league, although Josi had the advantage of a more defensive minded team to break into when he first got in...which makes what Provorov has been doing on the Flyers that much more impressive. Young Provorov already has a nice big contract based more on potential (6.75M cap hit) than what he's actually done so far, but even so, if there is a player that could live up to his contract well before many expect, it just may be this guy.

Unbelievable player. He sure made the Minnesota Wild look silly on at least two occasions in last night's game, even though his team lost. Maybe some teams still underestimate him because he is a rookie...and a defenseman too....but after watching up close and personal (about as up close as one can get watching a hockey player on a 55 inch UHD TV anyways ), against the Wild, I don't think teams will continue to make that mistake. I did hear about the crazy pace he is on from NHL Network yesterday and the record he could possibly smash. Still a long season and I am betting he will have some lows along the way, but even if he doesn't break the record, he could be the odds on favorite for the Calder this season. The Avalanche are looking like pure geniuses at this juncture trading away Tyson Barrie for Kadri, then giving Makar the minutes Barrie would have been playing. Very exciting player and reason enough, along with MacKinnon, for even non Avs fans to watch some of their games.

Below average 1C, eh? Does that mean, he is an elite 2C then? With the exception of the PP, I don't believe he gets to play with Boeser or Pettersson very often. He HAS found great chemistry with JT Miller, however and I think each player has helped bolster the other in that relationship. But again, I know you knew about Horvat well before many of us here, so your commentary is very much appreciated. Maybe he can still become that big star you hoped he would be..... when he came in, he didn't get nearly the TOI he is getting now and once the previous core that had dominated the formerly named North Western Division was finally disbanded, it was very tough sledding for ALL Vancouver players till probably last season when the team, and Horvat showed they are moving in the right direction. His team's next game is Saturday, on the road, against a very tough Washington Capitals team. I wonder who Bo's assignment will be that game...……..

Bowie William Horvat. Just this season, was made the Canucks' 14th franchise captain at age 24....and I think the organization made an excellent choice to slap the "C" on this particular player as I really do see him as being quite representative of the Canucks moving forward. Hard working, well rounded, not as much fanfare as some of his teammates such as Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, or even Quinn Hughes, but very effective, is an absolute face off monster, and as he showed recently when he notched his 100th goal of his still young career, then followed that up with his 1st career hat trick, he can put the puck in the net just when you think he all about just making the plays. Time will tell, but his relatively low profile in the face of more well known teammates, his skillset, maybe even his demeanor, reminds me of a young Patrice Bergeron. And if Horvat's career mimics Bergeron's, then the Canucks truly have a guy they can build around for years to come in addition to their higher profile guys And just like Bergeron, I don't think he will be much of a "kept secret" when it comes to talking about some of the league's best overall players if he continues his improvements year after year like he has. If I were to knock something about his game, perhaps it is decision making under extreme pressure....I've seen him turn the puck over a bit more than he probably should given his abilities. Just 24, right now, I will attribute that to experience, or lack thereof, in dealing with the league's best each and every night on the ice. I suspect he will get better in that area, sooner than later. @jammer2 You got anything you want to mention about this very good young player? I mention you because if I am not mistaken, you were one of the first posters on this site to talk about him even before he made the NHL and seemed quite high on his abilities even then.

In his last game two days ago, he added yet another goal, this time on a breakaway where he beat Carey Price cleanly. You know, when you said heavy game, I did leave that part of his game out...he IS quite the hitter as well, isn't he? Over 130 hits in every season where he has either played a full season or the majority of games in a season. Seriously....I don't see how Ottawa wouldn't find itself with a plethora of suitors for his services at the trade deadline, and if enough teams inquire about him, as I suspect they would, the resulting 'bidding war' could result in the Sens getting more for him than I initially thought they could. Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Colorado, Edmonton... just off the top of my head teams where he would instantly fit in. Man, I wish that one Senators fan were still around...he always had very good insights on the Sens and their players...and I think at one time he had mentioned Pageau as being a player people would need to look out for.....looks like he was right. And as an aside to your aside, I picked up Pageau in All Stars as a replacement to an injured player about a month back....he hasn't left my lineup since.....

No worries..Wild would have a long way to go to dig themselves out of the hole they are in. I will just take the satisfaction of a good win and mostly well played game. All I ever really expect from this team this season...just be competitive. If they aren't gonna be good enough, then they aren't, but I want to see the effort there, and tonight it was. FWIW, I thought Minnesota should have gotten more goals out of this, but Grubauer did his job for the most part.

So far, the Wild seem to be calmly skating the puck out of their zone when they get it..... looks good...so far..... And now here comes the extra attacker for the Avs.

No "prevent defense" please...…….

I guess his first goal didn't clue them in... lol He is a fantastic talent though. NO excuse for Wild players not to have someone on him.

Damn...Makar...of course.... Lead cut in half...

PK time... Dumba can only watch from the box....

Ok, good. Then at least we will get a PowerKill..errr, PowerPlay next frame.

Well... Good news....game is scoreless...Wild aren't behind. Bad news...… game is scoreless... Wild got the bulk of chances, couldn't get past that Grubauer dude. And did someone get a penalty as the buzzer went?

NO WAY!! That has NEVER happened!!

Man....Avs coughing up ALL KINDS of chances, Wild can't bury any of them!

Oh my.....Parise... He got Grubauered….

Avs looking like geniuses trading Tyson Barrie to Toronto for Kadri and giving Cale Makar the minutes Barrie would have occupied. That rookie is looking pretty damned awesome.

Careless centering feed by Hartman just after the PP. Fortunately, he and his linemates worked their tails off to not let that turnover go in the Avs favor... they managed to recoup the puck and keep it in the Colorado zone.

PP time...let's go boys...

He also had the blocked shot that led to that chance.

Was about to post about this. Glad to see that. Team, such as it is, certainly stands a better chance at a W with him in the lineup than not in the lineup. Go Wild!