Been a while!! Life happens! Let's get into my MTs for this game.
Not Capitalizing On Scoring Chances In 1st
The Stars' lack of capitalizing on all of their chances they had in the 1st period is the biggest difference in tonight's game. Benn, other than the opening goal, had multiple opportunities to put the puck in the net on even strength. During the first Buffalo power play, Joel Janmark, I mean Kiviranta, had a huge chance off the rush followed up by an enormous breakaway. Pavelski had a high danger chance after Robertson forced a turnover; very similarly to the way the top line scored the game tying goal. This was ultimately the Stars' downfall in not securing the second point.
Officiating Does It Again...
It's not as egregious as it has been in other games, but James and I discussed this on the podcast episode (starts at twelve minute mark). There were multiple times calls were not made in the Stars' favor. I don't know what they need to do to get more power play time, but sheesh, the refs didn't help.
What I'm more upset about it the Esa icing-that-wasn't-really-icing call with about eight and a half minutes remaining in the first period. Could the Stars have stopped the goal the Sabres scored on the ensuing faceoff? Yes, but it's hard for me to not look back at that bad call and think that allowed the momentum to swing in the Sabres' favor. Very frustrating after the dominant play by the Stars in the first 10 minutes of the 1st period.
Forward Line Combos
And of course, I wasn't going to get away without talking about this. James and I discussed this for about 10 to 15 minutes after the end of the episode, but it's worth talking about. Should Roope Hintz be put back onto the top line or should Tyler Seguin be allowed to continue on that line where he has flourished the last seven games? Thoughts? (discussion on episode starts at thirty three minute mark)
