Same score, different opponent. I'd fret about this one, but well: I mean Greg Moore was the second-line center. John Tavares was flanked by Trevor Smith and Preseason Sensation Matt Moulson, who notched his fourth goal (on the PP) in as many games while getting a game-high seven shots on goal. You think Tavares' presence maybe opens things up for his linemates just a little bit?
And this Moulson kid -- is he going to force a decision on Scott Gordon and Garth Snow here? Remember that beyond his goals (which can come in preseason like some such Druce), there is also the penalty killing aspect.
Other bits of interest from scanning the report but not seeing the game:
- Mark Streit fought! And his opponent, Olivier Magnan-Grenier, ended up scoring the game-winner.
"He certainly wasn’t the reason why we lost," Gordon said. "I think he’d probably like do a little more with the rebounds with the first and third goals; you can’t fault him for the second goal."
That beats your average "he did alright" or "we could have helped him more." Gordon at least addresses specific things on specific goals. Gordon also said the Isles failed at clearing traffic in front of Biron. Considering regulars Streit, Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek were in the lineup, that is a concern.
Meanwhile, a nice feature on Tavares at NHL.com, about how Gordon is trying to get him up to speed and how Tavares will be living with Doug Weight for a while:
"Right now I'm in a hotel, but I'm going to move in with Dougie for a little while," Tavares told NHL.com, adding with a laugh that "he needs me to keep him young."
As far as the game goes: Any concerns for you? Observations from watching it or being there? More budding crushes on Moulson? I certainly wouldn't mind seeing if he can replicate some of this in an NHL game.