Tonight, freshly off a new $12 million contract extension, Markström was energized and rock solid. He stopped an incredible 43 of 44 shots (.977%), including all five high danger chances he faced. In total, his +3.12 goals saved above expected was one of the better individual goaltending performances this season.
Without him in that first period, obviously, we're not standing here happy about the game. So, it was phenomenal by him giving us some time to get our legs under us in a tough back-to-back.
Through five games, the 24-year-old Swede has averaged just 11:45 TOI - more than five minutes below last year's season average of 16:52. Holmstrom has recorded an assist on opening night, but has been held pointless since, and is a -4 on the season. Perhaps the most discouraging statistic for Holmstrom is his two shots on the season. While some may be worried about his inability to get pucks through towards the net this season, Patrick Roy sees no cause for concern.
An inability to make it count on the scoreboard almost came back to haunt them in the third period. It's an early, promising sign that this much-changed Marlies team hung tough and found a way to grind out the extra point. "I thought we were outstanding. We were moving pucks quick[ly] and keeping them [Belleville] on their heels. That was a definite positive for our group." - John Gruden on the Marlies ' play through 40 minutes
We got a little taste of it during training camp and all the hype videos we saw. But he's so composed with the puck and he knows when to jump, when not to jump. His hockey IQ is amazing. He played great tonight for us.
So when the Rangers found themselves on the wrong end of a five-on-three power play in the closing minutes of their preseason opener Sunday afternoon against the Devils at the Prudential Center, it actually wasn't the worst thing for goalie Dylan Garand. "The PK stuff was actually pretty nice to get some reps in there," Garand said after the Rangers' 5-3 victory.
