Signs of life

Here's the image I will take away from Thursday's victory over the Flyers: one shift by Vinny Lecavalier in which he was the first player into the corner to fight for a puck and then how he went behind the net to get the puck to Ruslan Fedotenko who scored.

It's the kind of stuff we don't see nearly enough from Vinny or from just about anyone else on that team. There is much to be said for skills but hockey, more than any sport, is where effort can overcome skill. Add the two together and you have a great player.

Coach John Tortorella and the players said they self-motivated on Thursday, pushed each on the bench. If true, it might be the last piece this team needs to put it over the hump. The skill is there. The effort made all the difference. ... Oh, and another great outing by Marc Denis.

And let's not forget a couple of guys who have quietly improved their games over the course of the season. Defenseman Nolan Pratt, I though, was noticeable and willing to throw some checks. And how about Nikita Alexeev? Give the guy some credit. He is starting to make a difference.

Finally, the outcome wasn't the best. Doug Janik got KO'd by Ben Eager. But didn't you love that someone, anyone, got PO'd enough to fight?

   

Comments

[Manny Andrade]

Vinny Lecavalier can really show his talents when he plays aggressive at both ends of the ice. He had two assists in last nights game, but even more rewarding was the effort he put on offense in the corners and in the defensive zone with his forechecking. He played like a rookie trying to impress his coach. He had a great game along with Brad Richards who also had two assists. Brad just needs to score, and when he does watch out for Vinny and Brad because they’ll be hard to stop.

Marc Denis had a great game with 34 saves, but he had an opportunity to record a shutout and he blew it. He was putting his glove over every loose puck last night until that moment with 4:12 minutes to go in the game he froze in front of the net couldn’t move. The puck was there in front of him to cover and he couldn’t do it. I wonder what was going through his head at that moment.

[keith baxter]

Well what do you know. The entire team showed up on the same night. Haircuts for everybody! Denis made me start to believe. Pratter came back, Vinnys 4 & 20 got it done. I don't think Janik had much chance not to fight the moose (the guy had 250+ PIM lasy year with the Flyers AHL)but at least he tried even though he got stitched up for his valor. Affy looks a better fit on a line without Marty and Richie, lets hope Craig heals fast. Speaking of Craig....does he have incredible eye-hand co-ordination or what. He swatted that goal with the blade and was aware enough to keep his stick below the crossbar. It would be nice to think and believe all is well. The Caps (Ovechkin) will be a good test. Keep it up boys.

[Stacey Whitworth]

Yeah, well, Janik got clocked but the other guy was crying like a baby so there. Thought he broke his hand the way he was acting. :) Yeah, they all showed up last night and it was awesome. They just have to battle like that in every game! Win or lose you're still better for it. Luckily they are in great shape and can withstand it nightly if they want to. Gotta' test that "Torturella" endurance sometime, right? Now would be a good time! Keep it up, boys.

[Scott]

It was a pleasure to watch the game!We all knew they could do it now the test will be working hard and being aggressive every night.It looks like the line combinations are getting better,Affy looked good.Alexeev and Pratt were workin hard too.It will be interesting to see what Alexeev does as he gets more ice time and a chance to show what he can do.Denis looked great and is defenitely doing what he was brought in for.Hopefully they stay on track.GO BOLTS!!