How last night played out was exactly what I was nervous about when I saw the BS schedule. Team had zero energy the 2nd and first half of the 3rd. Neither did the arena. It felt like we were playing a Tues night in February against the Blues at times. It's almost like everyone was still hungover for a GD 9PM start on a Tues after a huge game 7 win 48 hours earlier. That was also evidenced by the ticket market which was a joke. The 5 seats next to us never sold. For those local, get to the game Thurs. You won't be paying anything near what folks paid for game 7.
All that being said, I think this team will settle in and this series goes long. There was no way we could expect them to keep the same intensity for 60 mins after last series. Duchene called it the most stressful hockey of his career and I think we saw the letdown last night. I think pretty much everyone plays better Thurs. Our top line isn't going to beat their top line this series, they aren't as good, but I think they will play better than tonight. Hintz needs to take his (lack of) performance personally. Or he's hurt, in which case, we are probably cooked if we can't get 'something' out of him this series. Seguin and Stankoven just seem snakebit. Both have had great looks all playoffs and just can't get the puck in the net. Feel like the dam is going to break for both of those guys soon.