Pushing Along the Narrative
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A number of those storylines discussed ahead of camp can still get some evidence for and against at this game. Kotkaniemi had a rollercoaster performance at the Rookie Showdown, but his level of play improved as he got more used to the smaller ice and the need for quicker reaction time.
All three members of the 4C Battle will be taking part as well. Of the three, Peca seems to have been placed in the best position lining up with Kenny Agostino. I’ve looked at his playing career in a previous post, and Agostino has been a dominating force in the AHL for a number of years. His playmaking ability is at it’s best when playing with other skilled forwards, but he can also score at a decent level when he shoots the puck. Peca and Agostino will be a fun duo to watch as they have the potential to bring out the best in each other.
The same can be said about McCarron and Addison to an extent. Both play more physical, but Addison is a much better forechecker. In normal circumstances, you could say that McCarron and Addison could create time and space to get the puck to a skilled winger for scoring chances. However, Bitten isn’t shy to do things himself and beat out opponents using his speed.
The list goes on. Will Domi at centre work? Can Fleury do enough to stay out of Brook’s shadow? Can Lindgren outplay Niemi? Those questions will be answered at 1:00 PM. If you’re attending the game, try to get there earlier as players are going to be welcoming fans through the doors at 11:00 AM.