Barefoot

He he sure was. Last few games he's really upped what he's doing out there. Just amazing to watch him now. Yes he's definitely just gone to a new level. I posted that on the GDT. Can't wait to get Rathbone in there too. That will be an incredibly dynamic back end. They actually really needed Jack too the past 20 games or so for the playoff push.

Yes, Quinn Hughes has gotten better recently. He's just doing whatever he wants out there in both zones. Hanging on to the puck longer, dancing with it.

Petey's up to 31 goals and has only played half the season without being injured. That's amazingly impressive. Keep that in mind when figuring out that the whole team did not really have him for half the season.

No, their systems completely changed after Bruce go in. Their entire structure and the way they worked together changed. They were a total clusterfk under Green, total amateur discombobulated mess.

Holding the sticks too tight from the second period on, trying almost too hard with so much pressure but not getting things to happen. All that zone time in OT and nothing. Petey was fighting the stick again like he was at the beginning of the season. They played so good in so many ways but the pressure really got them snake bit. Their goalie played well too, credit to him, great reads.

Miller has become a master at creating space, opening up ice where there wasn't any. His abilities and vision in this department have gone through the roof this year, which is why his points have too. He has radically improved the way he does things out there. Podz is a great fit with him for this as he's similar already. Great to see.

Yeah that was a tough game, and tough team. They did well. There was no free ride out there to be had, and they held their own. Ballsy again I'd say. Good on them, it serves them well to keep developing their team chemistry and identity. They are still doing that as I see it. It's coming together.

Love JT, but that's two overtimes in a row where he totally relaxed on the backcheck. I don't get it.

Yup. He's been good at times - like last year - DESPITE the injury. You can see it in his ease of lateral movement from his rookie year. Your analysis sounds right for lack of mobility and re-injuries. You can just see the difference. That's why I went and looked up this video in the first place (and then posted it) - I wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming. There was something special that first year.

Man are they ever slow getting off the ice often lately. Totally relaxed. Noticing that too.

Interesting - haven't seen much of that this season. Still doesn't look as good as he did in his rookie season, but definitely much closer. Great to see, thanks for pointing that out. Piece this together with the other mention about his groin issue at the start of the year, and maybe shed some weight, and maybe that's a more likely cause for this season. He's definitely not moving or shooting properly this season.

Interesting, might have a point there. That would be great if that was the problem. As well as shedding a few pounds as was also mentioned above maybe.

This clearly isn't regression - it's injury related. (Although his focus does seem off the last few games too, first time I've ever noticed that).

yes you could see he was a play driver as well. Moved with ease to open ice for himself, and others.

Yup - complete ease of movement. It ain't just the wrist surgeries - it's the back surgery. Look how effortlessly he moved around. Totally fluid. Completely different now.

There was a reason he got called Brockstar and his shot was a Brocket. Look at the difference - ease of mobility, that incredible shot. The kid - and all of us and the team - got robbed of this superstar in the making from his injuries. He's a totally different player watching him now. Just in case people forgot. We weren't imagining it. AND - he actually never got to play with Petey when he played like this. Can you imagine those two together WITHOUT injuries to both of them. THERE'S your reason for most Canuck woes since. Watch and enjoy and then cry to think of what could have been.

Just a reminder of what a rock star Brock actually was before his injuries. Check out his first year goal highlights. He was a completely different player - lateral movement with total ease, his shot was incredible (no we weren't imagining it - it was incredible), total ease of movement. He - and we - got robbed of him being an amazing player for us. Poor kid. Just watch this vid, the difference is night and day from how he does his best now. The kid was incredible.

They sure did. Was going to say the same thing.

So - are we still wondering if JT Miller might be a competent third line center instead of playing wing for Petey like we were at the beginning of the season? Ohhhh how times have changed!

Not just a 'new' voice - a much better voice. Hockey is supposed to be fun. Work your ass off and want to win win win, but it's fun and excitement - whether on the ice playing or as fans - that gives it that thrill. TG just sucked the joy out of it. I saw it in his first interview when he was hired. I felt impending 'ugh'. Both personalities of TG and BB are contagious, for opposite reasons. Plus, BB has them working together with better systems that complement them. 180 degrees different team to watch now in all three zones.

Wayyyyy too casual since they took the lead. Overtime, same. Powerplay awful. Quinn Hughes, great as he is, is too relaxed on the powerplay. especially on breakouts, he settles it down too much. they stopped pushing. TG style. They didn't once push for a fourth goal. What a waste.

Playing defense ever since they took the lead. No good. Nuh-uh.

Boy these two teams sure play a lot like each other. Really good game. Fast, tight, intense, from both teams. Almost looks like Bruce coached Washington too! Weird...

Long Island is not travel either - less than an hour drive I think. So no travel until AFTER Thursday's game. Yes run Demko again, agreed.

Takeaway #1 you may have glossed over: These guys are REALLY starting to play like a five man unit TEAM now, for the first time since the bubble playoff run. Yes - it's been that long since they played like a team, with great puck support, passing, and knowing where each other were everywhere over the ice. They were a mess the past year and a half. Working together so well now. (Except for the 3rd period fart fest). Anyone else notice the difference?