These three days of Post Season/Pre-Playoff Hockey (they aren't preseason games) might just be exhibition games but they are also small looks into the many question marks each team has going into this tournament... Here is a look at yesterday's games and some of the answers (good and bad) we saw yesterday...
Flyers Question Marks....
Question: Is Carter Hart Healthy and Ready? Answer: He looked to be moving perfectly fine. Wasn't tested much
Question: Is Shane Gostisbehere going to be a factor? Answer: He looked better than he has in quite some time. He adds a lot when he plays with confidence.
Penguins Question Marks...
Question: Who should be their starting goalie? Answer: Murray started, but Jarry looked more confident. I would go with Jarry, but my guess is they start with Murray.
Question: How would Jake Guentzel look? Answer: He looked really good...a few timing issues, but a game changer.
Question: Is Crosby healthy and ready? Answer: He played ok and wasn't much of a factor...so too soon to tell.
Maple Leaf Question Marks...
Question: Is their defense ready for the playoffs? Answer: They gave up 30 shots to a Canadiens team that is probably the worst team in the playoffs offensively...they also took too many penalties when beaten...
Question: Is their goaltending ready? Answer: Andersen looked very sharp and was moving well.
Canadiens Question Marks...
Question: Can they score? Answer: They looked better than expected but did have issues finishing...
Question: Can Carey Price carry the team? Answer: Price is big-game player and he may not have been up for this exhibition game. He made a few nice saves but also looked frustrated by his defense not picking up the open players. This is still TBD.
Oilers Question Marks...
Question: Goaltending good enough? and who? Answer: The Oilers got a great half from Koskinen who when he is on is VERY on. Smith played well enough but I have to think Koskinen gets the nod.
Question: Can they play solid D in the playoffs and hold leads? Answer: The Oilers showed they could shut the Flames down as the game went on. Tippet has gotten these guys to buy in.
Question: Will they get secondary scoring? Answer: McDavid was McDavid, but there were encouraging signs throughout the lineup.
Flames Question Marks...
Question: Goaltending? Which one and is either really good enough? Answer: Still not sure, and yesterday neither was really that strong...They were facing A LOT of pressure from a powerful Oilers team however.
Question: Can Johnny Hockey be a playoff force? Answer: Much was made of Gaudreau's recent playoff failures. Last season only one assist in 5 games. two years before that only 1 assist in 4 games...He needs to AT LEAST match his nearly 1 point per game regular season impact. He did get a secondary assist on Calgary's lone goal, but he also missed an assignment that led to Edmonton's early opening goal...
What questions and answers did you see get answered yesterday?
What questions do you see getting addressed today?
more to come today....including a rumor update tonight! Enjoy the hockey!!
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