Expectations going into the year were clear: make the playoffs. If now we’re talking about what is missing from being a “contender”, I would say things are progressing ahead of schedule
Expectations going into the year were clear: make the playoffs. If now we’re talking about what is missing from being a “contender”, I would say things are progressing ahead of schedule
5 comments
Agreed. This year the goal was/is to make the playoffs. Nothing more. They have gotten off to a good start but haven’t done anything yet. Let’s see where things stand a week before the trade deadline and go from there.
Defense looked good in the last 2 games, they didn’t give up much, they’ve just stopped scoring suddenly.
I’m happy with the progress. We just had a long hard road trip. I think making the playoffs would be a good step.
Nobody should be looking at this team as a full on contender. Not yet at least. Our young kids are playing out of their minds, but they’re also making a lot of mistakes and/or not playing a complete game. We’re winning a lot of games because we’re outscoring our problems. It’s a great problem to have early in the season, but not something that will take us far in to the playoffs.
I’m super happy with the progress, and hoping we can break some hearts in the playoffs, but I’m praying to god that Verbeek doesn’t sell the future for rentals at the deadline like we could actually make a cup run.
I think a lot of our offense early in the season came from taking chances in the counter attack, which is why we were giving up so may goals as well. It’s high risk / high reward hockey.
I think we’ve been doing less of that which explains fewer goals scored and allowed the last couple games.
This team being a contender will rely on them being able to find the right balance in that approach, as well as strengthening their ability to score in other ways (like off the forecheck more often).
My two cents.