Friday Night Lights

Cap space is TIGHT this year, especially for Dallas, and it surprised everyone to see Blackwell sent down. It led to further questions like is he called up first when there’s a slot to fill or will we see Hyry? With Duchene moving from IR to LTIR with a lower body injury, speculated groin, and with our rush into the season, I’d prefer not to see a fatigued Dutchie trying to keep up with teammates and possibly causing more strain. Remembering last season’s head injury that had him on LTIR, I’m hoping for a more powerful comeback from him this time, as this one is far less of a shakeup. Immediately called up with some freed-up cap space was Blackwell, a player that fits in well with the announced 3rd line, can he accent Bichsel better than Myers on the ice? With Dutchie out for the first month, 10 game minimum on LTIR, what other players will we see rotated through? The attention Hyry demands on the ice makes him an easy pick for me- becoming a household name in Texas the end of last season, it’s clear he can also handle the pressure, remembering the crunch of our division in the last dozen games. We saw Taylor shine through unexpectedly in the preseason, and granted it’s a little lighter in those first starting games, he was a player catching lots of attention with the success of his 2 1/2 minutes of 5 on 3 PK.

Although pushing through some rough cap numbers, I couldn’t have been the only one looking at 4th line asking what Kiviranta brings to the table that another young player couldn’t fill? Putting up decent numbers with the Avs last couple of seasons, is he more structure to the blue line and less offense, where we’re so lucky to have defense with strong wristers and almost anticipate more of that style. Playing 11-7 perhaps he’s the blue line ghost for Cappo on the 4th line, and we’ll see some defense assists on the plays. With a 4th line that’s physical, will this allow Faksa to get a little shine on the stat sheets with an assist like we’ve come to expect out of him. With this shakeup to the 3rd line will we see Benn and Seguin together towards the second half of the game- or will that be in store for Saturday’s game?

Looking at the first line, I can’t help but be excited to see Rantanen and Harley together. I know everyone is mentioning how much they like Miro and Harley together, biased opinion a couple of the best blue liners in the league in their individual ways, perhaps having 5 guys on the ice who are each cunning with the puck will be an overwhelming eye strain for the goalie to keep out enough shots on goal. Harley knowing he has a steamroller like Rant gives his game an edge of pushing back at any opposing player and throwing gloves knowing he won’t get sideswiped by a second opponent. The assist Rant gave with Harley’s wrister shows on-ice chemistry of giving any goaltender a little push to the limit. A pairing I’m not particularly thrilled with is Bichsel and Myers, at this point with their opposing style of skate, it seems they’re being paired together based on size and reach- yes it helps to have towers in front of DeSmith but I’d like to see a little more pivoting from Myers instead of the slow loop around when the puck slips to the opponent. Speaking of DeSmith, I’m never upset to see him as starting goal tender, but I am getting worried about Otter’s groin injury and what game he’s making his season debut. Perhaps this is just in celebration of DeSmith’s extended contract and showing our confidence in him as an elite backup goalie, just scope out his save percentage. We saw him show out in preseason and make 3 high danger saves in 2 seconds against the Blues, there’s no question he’s up for the task of opening night. With the Devil’s claiming Porier, although Dallas can call him back at anytime, does depending on our backup goalie to the start of the season set off any alarms; I think with Otter being day-to-day it’s the least alarming roster change made.

Predictions for tonight’s game- Rant and Ritzy are coming out strong with a play that puts us on the board first. I see Johnston and Harley making a play together, perhaps 2, trading off with the assist. Cappo with some noteable saves feeling the pressure of 11 & 7. The players capable of putting in extra minutes on the ice- Rant, Miro, Harley, and how the extra minutes can translate to an extra assist; it’s also a great shuffle of players who can be fluid everywhere on the ice. Saturday night- how will it be playing against Borque, a player who made it clear he didn’t want to be traded, one who played well with us and maybe against us now. In Nashville I see Johnston and Seguin having a big play that puts us up on the board. Rant assisting Harley for another snipe to the back of the net. Maybe Bichsel with a fight, and maybe Harley and Miro doing something magic with that speed and snipe pairing. A quick start to the season with back to back games on the road, this should be back to back wins that set the tone for the loudest home game come Monday against the Sharks.