Rookie left wing Nigel Dawes, who watched the last two games from above after playing the first three, is back in the lineup tonight against the Devils. One man's opinion: Wise move.
"It's never fun being up there," Dawes said after practice today, where he skated with Jason Ward and Marcel Hossa on the fourth line. "The game looks pretty easy from up top." What did he specifically notice? "Keeping guys up high on the forecheck, having a low guy in the defensive zone...that's been one of our problems of late, it's something to work on. I was just watching the whole game, the system, taking it in, seeing how some guys play and learning from that."
The speedy Dawes, who averaged about seven minutes on ice in each of the three games, needs to play more. "I don't want to keep guys out too long," said coach Tom Renney. "I think there is something to be said for a young guy who's got a touch to help out on the offensive side of things and I also like the way he thinks the game defensively. He'll continue to learn and we'll bring him along at the appropriate pace."
The 21-year-old scored 35 goals for Hartford last season and made the cut in camp. If he's not going to play, send him back, right? Renney apparently thinks so, saying Dawes might move between the third and fourth lines. Colton Orr, still a one-dimensional player in this observer's eyes, will be scratched
Dawes said he "did a little bit of stats for the game in Buffalo," but didn't take any notes while watching. "It's mostly in my head." Let see how it translates on-ice. Got a hunch it will sooner than later.
As reported in today's editions, veteran defenseman Darius Kasparaitis will play for the first time this season, and Thomas Pock will sit. Kasparaitis, a left-handed shot, will pair with Karel Rachunek.
One player moving under the radar is defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, recovering from knee surgery and a off-season in the league's substance-abuse program after being arrested for a DWI in White Plains in May. Renney said Ozolinsh is "still day-to-day...we're within games of playing. He and Kaspar have been working hard. It's not like they're catching up to something that's been real prolific here and doing an outstanding job." Hmmm....