Two huge factors this year are Knies and Pacioretty. They are both big strong bodies going to the net, creating room, causing havoc, taking the body, and generally drawing attention to the net front which is actually creating some space for our skill players. We’ve never had it at this level before. We no longer look like a total perimeter team.
Secondly, we had a 6-3 advantage last night in rush chances. The long pass has worked as an option. The Florida d, while very big, is not the most mobile or effective puck moving group. I actually don’t think it’s as good as last year. I’d take Montour over Seth Jones, and OEL is a better puck mover than what’s on their bottom pair.
~ fifty mission cap
Knies coming into his own has been a revelation. He’s carrying a lot of the work for that top line while Matthews struggles. I couldn’t agree more about Pacioretty coming in and providing that moxy/grit that is letting Nylander move around. Again . . . you get a big body who wins battles on your line and your skill guys can work off of that. Hyman used to provide it and he wasn’t as skilled nor as big as Knies – but he was good and he brought the effort. You add in Laughton and Lorentz on that 4th line and there’s a lot of good things happening through the lineup. I’d like to see a bit more jam from McMann’s board game because the Domi line needs that.
The only thing I’d say is that probably our worst goals against this playoff have happened while OEL and Benoit run around in their own zone and get lost on net front coverage. There’s always that downside that comes with an affordable but good skating puck mover.