Bo Horvat scores twice as Canucks beat Blues in Game 1 I just think he’s so hard to contain, whether it’s a small or a big area, and he’s definitely a guy who keeps you on your toes and tries new things. NHL Live Tracker: Canucks vs. Blues, Game 1 “He’s a very fast player, very aware on the ice, but I think it’s his stickhandling that really helps him achieve the success he’s had in the game.”Barber: “He’s such a good defensive forward as well, and those are always ones I have a special place in my heart for because of Pavel Datsyuk. Coyotes can't afford to leave Kuemper out to dry again vs. Avalanche “To me, he’s very good at not stickhandling too much — obviously being a fast skater, he doesn’t over-stickhandle and he just knows how to use it at the right time. Focus: Be 100% in the present moment. Canucks growing in confidence, experience with each playoff game And in Barber’s eyes, the Calgary, Alta., native is about as close to the full package as you could find.“Makar stands out in nearly every category you can imagine — skating, shooting, awareness. When he was in the world juniors, he was the last man back, putting the puck through the stick of defenders comfortably at the blue line. He reminds me a little bit of Datsyuk with just the amount of creative moves he’s done.”Barber: “Yeah, that’s an easy choice. Bo Horvat scores twice as Canucks beat Blues in Game 1 He’s very good in tight, which affords him the time and space to get those lethal shots off. And he’s so lower-body strong, so he’s got those fundamentals to back up his stickhandling ability.”Barber: “Matthews, he’s kind of like Kane in terms of how soft his hands are as well, and for a big guy — that’s so rare to have a big guy with such good hands, so he’s got the reach advantage and he’s got good size. He’s the quintessential example of the new breed of blue-liner, able to thrive in the particular aspects of the game that have become critical as the league leans more towards speed and skill in transition.“He can quarterback a breakout, zone entry and power play with ease. But the effectiveness of that deadly release is directly tied to Matthews’ ability to make magic happen in the stickhandling department.“Matthews is best known for his patented drag shot, but man is he ever filthy with the mitts,” Barber says. “I think it’s such a smart move, because you can go between the legs and keep your feet moving that way, and it’s very unpredictable because to a defender, it looks like you’re going to keep going the other way. Flames, Lightning among Thursday's Game 2 betting favourites Carter Hart makes 27 saves to help Flyers beat Canadiens in Game 1 He’s not afraid to go one-on-one either and perhaps his teammates know that best from the times he’s roasted them on one-versus-one drills. Barber: “I’ve been watching him since he was a Thunderbird and … “He has such a great sense for the game and is constantly shifting around on the ice to pose the greatest threat. It’s almost funny to watch. He’s a great passer, so when you see him play with guys like Tavares who can put the puck in the net, it’s almost unfair. “And he’s got the stickhandling to back it up, so he can fake shots and just move around players, Barber: “I almost didn’t put Crosby on the top 10 just because for him, he’s more a player who uses his edges and body position and awareness to be good. But it doesn’t look like it bothers him because he’s pretty silky with the puck.”Barber: “Gaudreau, just his ability to always look up ice, see what’s happening — he’s able to gain the zone quite well, take on defenders one-on-one with extreme confidence, and he’s a good setup guy as well. He knows what he can do, and he doesn’t force it. Winning 50-50 battles, getting the puck and just not panicking, being patient with the puck. Listen: It may sound simple, but those who listen and pay attention to the small details will get better faster. Quick Release Off-Ice Hockey Training Drills [Novice] - … “He’s a very fast player, very aware on the ice, but I think it’s his stickhandling that really helps him achieve the success he’s had in the game.”Barber: “He’s such a good defensive forward as well, and those are always ones I have a special place in my heart for because of Pavel Datsyuk.
Bo Horvat scores twice as Canucks beat Blues in Game 1 I just think he’s so hard to contain, whether it’s a small or a big area, and he’s definitely a guy who keeps you on your toes and tries new things. NHL Live Tracker: Canucks vs. Blues, Game 1 “He’s a very fast player, very aware on the ice, but I think it’s his stickhandling that really helps him achieve the success he’s had in the game.”Barber: “He’s such a good defensive forward as well, and those are always ones I have a special place in my heart for because of Pavel Datsyuk. Coyotes can't afford to leave Kuemper out to dry again vs. Avalanche “To me, he’s very good at not stickhandling too much — obviously being a fast skater, he doesn’t over-stickhandle and he just knows how to use it at the right time. Focus: Be 100% in the present moment. Canucks growing in confidence, experience with each playoff game And in Barber’s eyes, the Calgary, Alta., native is about as close to the full package as you could find.“Makar stands out in nearly every category you can imagine — skating, shooting, awareness. When he was in the world juniors, he was the last man back, putting the puck through the stick of defenders comfortably at the blue line. He reminds me a little bit of Datsyuk with just the amount of creative moves he’s done.”Barber: “Yeah, that’s an easy choice. Bo Horvat scores twice as Canucks beat Blues in Game 1 He’s very good in tight, which affords him the time and space to get those lethal shots off. And he’s so lower-body strong, so he’s got those fundamentals to back up his stickhandling ability.”Barber: “Matthews, he’s kind of like Kane in terms of how soft his hands are as well, and for a big guy — that’s so rare to have a big guy with such good hands, so he’s got the reach advantage and he’s got good size. He’s the quintessential example of the new breed of blue-liner, able to thrive in the particular aspects of the game that have become critical as the league leans more towards speed and skill in transition.“He can quarterback a breakout, zone entry and power play with ease. But the effectiveness of that deadly release is directly tied to Matthews’ ability to make magic happen in the stickhandling department.“Matthews is best known for his patented drag shot, but man is he ever filthy with the mitts,” Barber says. “I think it’s such a smart move, because you can go between the legs and keep your feet moving that way, and it’s very unpredictable because to a defender, it looks like you’re going to keep going the other way. Flames, Lightning among Thursday's Game 2 betting favourites Carter Hart makes 27 saves to help Flyers beat Canadiens in Game 1 He’s not afraid to go one-on-one either and perhaps his teammates know that best from the times he’s roasted them on one-versus-one drills. Barber: “I’ve been watching him since he was a Thunderbird and … “He has such a great sense for the game and is constantly shifting around on the ice to pose the greatest threat. It’s almost funny to watch. He’s a great passer, so when you see him play with guys like Tavares who can put the puck in the net, it’s almost unfair. “And he’s got the stickhandling to back it up, so he can fake shots and just move around players, Barber: “I almost didn’t put Crosby on the top 10 just because for him, he’s more a player who uses his edges and body position and awareness to be good. But it doesn’t look like it bothers him because he’s pretty silky with the puck.”Barber: “Gaudreau, just his ability to always look up ice, see what’s happening — he’s able to gain the zone quite well, take on defenders one-on-one with extreme confidence, and he’s a good setup guy as well. He knows what he can do, and he doesn’t force it. Winning 50-50 battles, getting the puck and just not panicking, being patient with the puck. Listen: It may sound simple, but those who listen and pay attention to the small details will get better faster. Quick Release Off-Ice Hockey Training Drills [Novice] - … “He’s a very fast player, very aware on the ice, but I think it’s his stickhandling that really helps him achieve the success he’s had in the game.”Barber: “He’s such a good defensive forward as well, and those are always ones I have a special place in my heart for because of Pavel Datsyuk.