3 on 3 for the week of 11.27.2011

3 “hot”:

1. Claude Giroux —”G” continues his Hart Trophy candidacy with another strong week, potting 2 goals and an assist in 4 games. He continues to trail Phil Kessel for the overall scoring lead in the NHL by 1 point. Giroux continues to play well regardless of his linemates and he has also raised his faceoff  percentage to 51.1%,highest on the team among forwards.
2. Danny Briere — Briere scored 2 goals, including the game winner in OT against the NY Islanders, putting him in 4th place in points on the squad with James van Riemsdyk. Danny is starting to play more consistently and it is showing up on the scoresheet. He will never be a Selke Trophy candidate, as his relative Corsi is still a very low -11.4, but he is a plus-1 after being a minus player earlier in the season.
3. Sergei Bobrovsky —”Bob” stepped up big this week with 2 wins and seemingly has taken the starting job away from Ilya Bryzgalov after winning in relief against the NY Islanders. Bob has lowered his goals against to 2.82 and raised his save percentage to .905, both better than his countryman’s. Look for "Bob" to continue to split time with Bryzgalov until Ilya can get back on track.

3 “not”:

1. Braydon Coburn — Coburn has dropped to even on the season and his relative Corsi is -7.3, worst on the team among defensemen who have played 10 or more games. Coburn did have 2 assists against the Habs, but the team is giving up a lot of shots while he is on the ice, not something you want to see against one of your top defensemen.
2. Wayne Simmonds –– Simmonds has dropped to a minus-3, worst on the team (not including Brayden Schenn,who has only played in 4 games)and has not registered a point in the last 4 contests. His physical play is still there, but Wayne needs to tally some points, especially with all the injuries right now. His relative Corsi of -6.9 could use some work as well.
3. Ilya Brzygalov — “Bryz” has not looked sharp in his last two outings and was pulled after surrendering 3 goals on 9 shots against the Isles. He simply needs to be more consistent or “Bob” will be starting instead.

Well,that does it for this week’s 3-on-3, join me next week when we look back at two lonely road contests against the Ducks and the Coyotes.