Shawn here again with another go around talking about the Hartford Wolfpack. With the Wolfpack completing their second weekend of games, it’s important to bring you up to speed about what we saw this past weekend, which was a 1-0-1 weekend.
It started off Saturday with a 3-1 win over the Springfield Thunderbirds, but followed up Sunday with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Rochester Americans. Both games saw a lot of positives, but there were some negatives along the way in both games, yet let’s take a look at the prospects in the system that we’re keeping a close eye on.
Filip Chtytil continued his strong play since the second half of the game against the Charlotte Checkers, as it finally seems Chytil is getting comfortable playing center, which as we all remember was his natural position, but his time in New York it was lost a bit. What I like about Chytil as a center, is he’s good at facilitating the play, and really driving possession in the offensive zone for the Wolfpack. He had two points during Saturday’s game with the Thunderbirds, which gave him his first goal of the season, an empty net goal.
Sunday, he continued his strong play, as it really felt like he was excited getting the extra time as the team’s top line center. Really taking control of the game yet again. He netted his second goal of the young season, and really had a chance for two, if it wasn’t for Americans goaltender Andrew Hammond, who looked great for the Americans.
Vitali Kravtsov, who was under the microscope after a rough first game for the Wolfpack, which saw him benched the second was back in the lineup for BOTH games this weekend, and I finally believe we’re going to be finally seeing Kravtsov turn the corner. Assistant coach, David Cunniff was asked about Kravstov, prior to Saturday’s game and said:
https://twitter.com/HanginPack/status/1183161267198013440
While he did struggle defensively in the first game, and the first half of the second game, he really started to ramp up, after he helped with the Boo Nieves goal, as he got the secondary assist on that one. I did tweet on Saturday that I wouldn’t have been surprised by the benching of Kravtsov. Not that I wanted it, it just really was unmotivated and timid when he’s without the puck.
Yet, I did like that the team wasn’t going to give up on him, wasn’t going to quit and really wanted to do whatever it takes to ensure he’d learn from his mistakes and grow. He did just that, after a rough first period. As the game went on, he grew in confidence and it showed. Which is something that was desperately needed for this team. Now, I did see some concern with him not playing in overtime, and in the shootout. He’s still at this time a liability on defense, and to put him in a spot where he could be exposed would’ve hurt not only him but the team as well.
Let’s talk about Igor Shesterkin. He came in really looking strong, taking what he did from the last start, and capitalizing on it, big time. Couldn’t have been happier with how he looked, as he once again controlled the play, and with someone who wasn’t getting a lot of action in the first two periods, looked real sharp once the Thunderbirds were applying the pressure, in the third. Thankfully, Shesterkin was able to keep his attention sharp, and keep it a close 1 goal game.
I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Shesterkin through his first two starts. This continues to be an important showcase for him, as more than likely we’ll see him up in New York by the end of this season, or as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup next year. Either way, let’s enjoy what we’re seeing thus far from Shesterkin. The real test will be once he does lose a game, how he bounces back from it. While a rare occurrence in SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, it’s a totally different game in North America. Eager to continue to watch his growth.
Some additional thoughts.
- Joey Keane was the one to be an odd man out on the defensive side of things to have Nick Ebert get a chance to play in Sunday’s contest against Rochester. Keane, had a rough go Saturday against the Thunderbirds, as there were a lot of turnovers made by him, and he had trouble facilitating the first powerplay unit. I see this being something that could happen, as this is his first pro season, but nothing to really worry about.
- Adam Huska looked more comfortable in his second start for the Wolfpack, in their 3-2 loss Sunday against the Americans. Huska weathered the storm in the first period and late in the third as the Americans were applying all sorts of pressure. He was tracking the puck better, and just looked a lot calmer overall. I do think with Huska, he can be someone who can turn heads, and become their backup of the future with them really hoping one of Alexandar Georgiev/Sherterkin become the replacement for Lundqvist.
- I really wish I had something positive to say about Sean Day this weekend, but he didn’t look good at all. It’s something I noted last week in regards to him feeling like he’s someone who might be realizing he’s lost in the shuffle in the Rangers organization. He still if he gave 100% effort someone who could make a difference in this organization, but it just seems like it’s something that is lost on him. He’s playing the body this season, so there’s that?
- Ryan Lindgren had a strong weekend, as he made key blocks in both games Saturday and Sunday, and just played a solid defensive game. He reminds me of Dan Girardi, if you don’t hear his name, that means he’s doing things right. If Libor Hajek falters for whatever reason, it’s safe to think that Lindgren is the next man up in this situation.
- Some thoughts on their powerplay, were given by head coach Chris Knoblauch:
https://twitter.com/HanginPack/status/1183454780414406663
It’ll get better but for right now, the Wolfpack powerplay is not good. Entries aren’t crisp, having trouble sustaining pressure in their end. Let’s just hope this is something they work on this week, before their next two games.
The 3-0-1 Wolfpack are off until Friday, when they again face the Springfield Thunderbirds at 7:15PM. They follow that, by having their first road game of the season against the Binghamton Devils, Saturday at 7:05PM.
You can listen to my thoughts on the Hartford Wolfpack, every Friday wherever you get Podcasts.
