GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[tasker48b]

Vanek isn't merely putting up great numbers but he is demonstrating tremendous skill in doing so.

 

The fourth goal where he put the puck in the top shelf from the edge of the crease was remarkable. Requires soft hands and no panic point. Not too many players can make that play.

 

Putting that goal together with the fifth goal - where Vanek used his reach to break up a pass in the defensive zone, then used his speed to break away from the d-man, his body to sheild the puck, his strength to (mostly) maintain his balance while being hooked, and his vision to find the wide-open trailing Kotalik .... he reminded me of Mario.

 

Here's hoping he keeps up the great play.

[nfreeman]

I don't think Kotalik is a contract year type player who does well to get the money and floats. He's always been a very consistent player and always has had one of the best shots. He's getting a few bounces and some lucky breaks this season. For example, the 2 goals he scored today, don't come around very often. The first one Sanford should have stopped, and the second one, he was just in the right spot, it didn't do much with effort but just a high hockey IQ to skate down the ice and hope for Vanek to get the puck and send it to the middle. Kotalik has never been a floater.

I agree with you. He has his ups and downs--a few years ago, he had a power-play point shot that just couldn't miss for two months and then he couldn't find the net for two more months--but I don't think his efforts change. He's just streaky is all.

Well, I don't think he's a floater, and I do think he's streaky, but I also think it's human nature for players to bust their butts a bit more in their contract years. I think we'll see that from Al all year, and he'll get paid as a result.

[Stoner]

Guess the non-sellout kills 12 people's chances of winning this prediction. :thumbsup:

 

I wouldn't start salting the crow just yet. As TW mentioned in another thread, we've seen Big Al get hot and go on streaks. This might be another hot streak for him. Let's see if he stays consistent.

 

Yeah, let's see if he can score a goal a game. That should make BM happy.

[Bmwolf21]

That is why I took a couple of bites and then pushed the plate away as I remembered seasons past. :rolleyes:

I'll be happy to give credit to Al if he keeps it up, but he has never been a beacon of consistency. His goal totals - 21, 15, 25, 16, 23 - bear that out.

 

I've always though that he's had the potential to be a dominating power forward, but he's never been consistent enough to reach that next level.

[wonderbread]

Some may argue that point but more importantly a player who lists 50 cent as his favorite musical artist is certainly going to be looking forward to spendin cheez on some bling.

 

your general hockey prowess is threatening!