Three Stars:
- Andrew Shaw
- Brent Seabrook
- Jonathon Toews
I wish I could give stars of the game to people other than Seabrook and Toews who whiffed on perfect chances. I can’t. Nobody played well last night. I’m going to continue trying to be positive but maybe it’s time to hit the panic button on the season. We’re simply not gelling. Nothing Q has done so far has worked. I don’t know why Shaw and Toews continue to play together. They’re better apart.
Okay the positives: Hossa’s back. He’s playing on the wrong line but he’s back.
Shaw continues to be one of the best and most underrated players on this team. Seriously, he’s gotta get more credit.
Despite not scoring, Artemi’s now the leading Calder candidate with injuries to McDavid and Larkin. I like Artemi, he brings a lot of good things to the team, and especially playing with Kane. Takes some of the pressure off our one true superstar.
Now the negatives. This is the Hurricanes. We should have played a lot better against a team looking more for Auston Mathews than the playoffs. Joakim Nordstrom riled our guys up and they didn’t respond properly.
Kane-Artem-Artemi need to find themselves again. We can’t be getting shutout when they’re playing well. They’re not.
Teuvo needs to focus up. He’s playing awfully and that needs to change. The first line is better with him on it only when he is playing to his potential. Another thing that needs to change.
Hossa needs to be with Toews. That’s been proven time and time again this season. Shaw makes Rasmussen better. Toews makes Shaw worse.
Now that Mashinter’s out of the lineup Bickell is the weakest link. The holiday break would have been the best time to call up Dano. Dano would at least attempt to be productive.
After finally winning three in a row we have our first losing streak in a while. It’ll be interesting to see how this team responds. Hold off hitting the panic button til the next game. If it’s another shutout or near shutout it’ll be time to worry. Maybe we finally play Darling next game as well.