Overall, the Thrashers gave a solid 60-minute effort, but there were still a couple of mind-boggling break-downs, inopportune turnovers (both forced and mindless unforced) and mis-communications that cost them. Devils play the type of game that does not allow you to make many mistakes and win. Even 5 or 6 instances of brain-lock or rushed decision-making will cost you. Perhaps tonite's effort would've beaten Tampa, Montreal or the Rangers, but not the Devils. Problem is the Thrashers don't play with the same intensity every game and rarely do they outwork weaker opponents. There were some bright spots upon which to build and perhaps Boulton and Thorburn rekindled a bit of nastiness that had been sorely missing for a while.
A few stats and gut-reaction musings before I sign off for the evening:
-- Shots on Goal ended up being even at 26 apiece. Thrashers actually attempted more shots, but had 9 blocked and 2 misses (inaccurate if you ask me) to only 2 blocked shots and 5 missed shots by the Devils. At any rate, the Thrashers had some looks, but too often they did not get the juicy, second chance rebound you need to beat Brodeur more than once or twice.
-- The Devils wound up winning the Face-Off battle with 27 wins to 22 losses on the evening. That means they won 9 of the last 13 draws to finish the game, which is how a defensive trap team holds onto a lead and wins. Strangely, Antropov was very good with 6 out of 9 where as Reasoner struggled to only 3 out of 11 wins. Oh yeah, one last thing that I nearly forgot.
-- This loss makes 5 losses in a row and for the first time all season this team has failed to turn their own fortunes after a 2 or 3 game slide. And now they are one loss away from not winning one game in regulation in 15 tries during the month of December -- Thrashers are 4 - 9 - 1 by virtue of 2 OT wins and 2 shootout wins after OT.
I will go out on a limb right now and state that the Boston game Wednesday night is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE SEASON. THIS LOSING STREAK MUST END NOW AND THEY MUST NOT COME OUT OF DECEMBER HAVING EARNED ONLY 9 POINTS OUT OF 30 AVAILABLE...LOSE WED NITE AND THIS ROAD TRIP LOSING STREAK SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE SEASON SLIDES INCHES FROM SLIPPING INTO THE ABYSS. AM I BEING TOO DRAMATIC?? NAH, I DIDN'T THINK SO.
My Three Stars plus Honorable Mention for the evening:
1st Star -- Zach Parise (2 goals including the game-winner)
2nd Star -- Marty Brodeur (several key saves and few rebounds)
3rd Star -- Marty Reasoner (scored 2nd goal to give team chance)
Honorable -- Kovalchuk (1st goal of game), Bergfors (2 assists)
I will go out on a limb right now and state that the Boston game Wednesday night is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE SEASON. THIS LOSING STREAK MUST END NOW AND THEY MUST NOT COME OUT OF DECEMBER HAVING EARNED ONLY 9 POINTS OUT OF 30 AVAILABLE...LOSE WED NITE AND THIS ROAD TRIP LOSING STREAK SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE SEASON SLIDES INCHES FROM SLIPPING INTO THE ABYSS. AM I BEING TOO DRAMATIC?? NAH, I DIDN'T THINK SO.
My Three Stars plus Honorable Mention for the evening:
1st Star -- Zach Parise (2 goals including the game-winner)
2nd Star -- Marty Brodeur (several key saves and few rebounds)
3rd Star -- Marty Reasoner (scored 2nd goal to give team chance)
Honorable -- Kovalchuk (1st goal of game), Bergfors (2 assists)
5 comments:
Mr. Speaker is getting shorter in his post game remarks. The Thrashers must Thrash some butt or fall away for the season. Does that even make sense? Soon you will be reconditioned to becoming a deacon fan again. Hardy Har Har!
Great job as usual in summing up the most germane points that led to another T-Bird loss -- and doimg it in a humorous, tongue-in-cheek fashion with lots of indecipherable alliterations. Great reference a couple blogs ago to "Cold December flys away" -- one of your favorite post-Christmas carols if I remember correctly. Be watching tonight to see if Birds beat the Bruins in what you categorize as "most important game of the season."
Meanwhile, still waiting for my Sabres to hot the wall. Thought it was going to be last night against Penguins, but Sabres played a great 3rd period. At any rate, we face our nemesis the Thrashers on Friday.
Well, most important game of the year is turning into a mental mind-fuck of gut-wrenching torture. Love this team. Time to trade everyone I guess. Perhaps we will trade Kovy to the Sabres at the deadline since we won't have anything to play for by then.
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