United we Stand ( at 3-0 )

I hear the band warming up !!

Okay, so it's only 3 games, but the difference so far is noticeable.  Strong fore check, strong penalty killing, and better yet, smart effective play in net. All 3 aspects were absent for the majority of the 09-10 season, and until Toskala exited and Giggy entered it was a crap shoot every game.

Penalty killing is sound, and slowly the power play is improving, getting one against the Pens in Pittsburgh.

They need that production from Phaneuf and Kaberle, especially on the power play.  Oh and if the power play finally finds it's rythym, that is the last piece of the puzzle not yet jelling.

A 5-3 power play goal is we've got to show so far, and therefore lot's of room still for Ron Wilson to show he has had a positive effect on this squad.

I will say that so far, I have watched the Sabres, Sens and Habs play and only the Bruins look decent. The Sens best player so far is Leclaire, Habs best player is Price, and well Buffalo's is Ryan Miller.  I have not been impressed with each teams foot soldiers, but again it's 2 to 3 games.

That 3rd line of Brent , Armstrong and Shooey is making an impact as a fore checking group, and that is the difference against the other teams 1st line.

Even when the 1st line has a dumper of a game, the remainder of the troops scored, always a sign that the team has a bit of depth. Now no one would have uttered " Clark McArthur and sniper "in the same sentence but 4 goals in 3 games, hell, we'll take it.

Onto Broadway for a Friday night tilt against the enigmatic Rangers, and Colby Armstrong's duty will to be to neutralise Gaborik. Shade of Jimmy Roberts shadowing Bobby Hull, or for Leafs, Ron Ellis trying to tail Yyan Cournoyer. Okay, latter day fans , Kirk Muller & Darcy Tucker against the Yashin line, is that current enough.

Armstong is fast becoming a shut down winger, and I think McArthur is another dude capable of that role as well, and maybe what has become noticeable after this past week is the team foot speed.We are winning the wall fights, and smart cycling. Even last night I saw an improvement on their breakouts, a sore point against Montreal. The Habs are a fast team, and when we did not make the quick smart first pass, them waterbugs were all over us like a bad rash. 

Ottawa was just flat, but we have done one thing differently this year that is very apparent, and that is a fast paced high energy start. Yes, we bang a few bodies, but as a result of a strong forecheck, not because we are the 75 Flyers, or Burke's Goon squad. You have to be able to skate to earn ice time on this team, and so far their pace has quickened.

Giggy will return Friday to the twine tent, and settle down the D a bit with his quiet style, The Monster is still jumpy, and was edgy in the 1st 2 periods until he settled, so it is possible we can grab a point in New York.

United we stand after one week, and as FAN 590 reporter Howard Berger noted, Montreal was 8th and was 6 games over .500, so we have to play 3 games over ourselves, and let the chips fall where they may.

In Montreal they are 1-1-1, Ottawa has yet to win, and Barfalo are 1-2-1 and the Bruins are 1-1 , so stay ahead of at least 3 Division teams as long as you can, cause it won't last.

Or, will it ??