Couple things (or maybe more than a couple)...after the fact as usual. I watched the game from about 11:30 - 1:30 (actually fell asleep at the end of the third) 
Anyway
I don't understand all the "hate" for Eller. He has filled his role (third line center) quite adequately over the last three seasons at a reasonable price. I though his first season he played much better than his stats or numbers indicated. Last season was probably a career year for him, but he does score some timely goals. He hustles, he USUALLY plays decent two-way center. He has some skills. He can handle/protect the puck fairly well. I think he is missing some offensive finish (maybe cause he's Danish...yuk yuk) which is why he is a 3rd line center.
I will acknowledge he is not having a good year this year, but considering the alternatives..., I think he is about what we paid for and should expect. When you have Backy and Kuzy as your barometer, then any third line center is going to pale in comparison. All things considered, I think Eller is just fine.
Why do Montreal fans boo Eller? They team didn't want him and traded him to the Caps. The Caps eventually resigned him. How is this Eller's fault? Do you just boo ANY player that used to be on your team or is there something I'm missing about Eller specifically? Do Caps fans boo Forsberg or Brower or Schmitty...etc when they play in Washington? Do the Blues fans boo Oshie?
I'm not sure I'd pair him with Ovie/Wilson on the top line, but if you were to put Backy in there, would you really want a Eller/Vrana/Burka line(yikes). Guess for emergency and trying to spread the talent and responsibility over the lines....
Geez, I'm starting to sound like Maako protecting Dylan here. 
I didn't really like Burka on line 2, but Burka just isn't a 3/4 line guy. Honestly, Burka needs to go. He's dead weight, especially at the salary. He can't break into the top two lines on this team and he IS NOT a 3/4 line guy. He is overpaid for occasional glimpses of talent. Move him and give someone else a 3/4 line role that fits it.
I like Bowey in the lineup and I'm really liking Boyd. Boyd has some wheels and hopefully he is taking his chance and showing us something. I'd rather see Boyd and Jaskin in the lineup before Burka. (yes, I realize they are centers/wings, etc) but make it fit. When Oshie and Kuzy are back, you move eller to 3c, move Connolly and Stephenson to 3. Boyd/Dowd at 4c with Jaskin and Smith Pelly (assuming all the lefties and righties fit
Anyway, pretty good game, except for about 90 seconds of it. Felt bad for Copley - don't think that was on him, but 3 goals in 75 seconds gets anyone pulled. Hope it does not effect his ju-ju.
Holtby looked good (sigh of relief)
Happy Turkey to all you peeps. I'm out and probably miss the next three games altogether...well at least till I watch a replay next week sometime.
GO CAPS
Hey Rich!
I stand solid with you about Eller, and yes, it’s not a popular opinion here!
My good buddy, DC, would definitely disagree with me on this one!
Can’t remember the exact date last year, but we touched on the subject of Eller, during one of our shoot-the-shit sessions, over “several”, brewskis and shots, in B-more!!
We found out that the expression “agree to disagree”, (followed by a fist bump, and a final drag on a good cigar), came fairly easy, with a good BAC goin on!!LOL🤣😂🤣🤪🤪
Eller, IMO, is quite unique, in that he epitomizes that rare class of NHL player, who has been obviously slighted, and under-gifted, in the NATURAL skills department, but over comes those shortcomings, with a complete and unapologetic dedication, to his work ethic, professionalism, and unrelentless hustle!
Couple all of this with a “never quit” attitude, and you have a guy, who’s total package is now, very respectably, at NHL caliber, hands down!!
His style, gives coaches no choice, but to notice him! Trotz, whom I greatly respect, certainly did!! Hence, Eller has been thusly rewarded for three years, with a SOLID hold on 3C!
Eller is TOUGH as nails! But not a fighter! Yes, the two qualities can exist together, and be successful!! And not to be confused with SOFT! Nick Backstrom is TOUGH as nails!! Not a fighter either! Not SOFT! Not bad company to be in!
Does Eller commit the occasional dumb ass penalty? Yes
Does he have stellar puck handling skills? No
Does he fight well? No, will most likely come out on the short end of the stick!
BUT....
Eller is great on PK, period!
Eller has high hockey IQ
His hustle and drive make him a defensive, “pain in the ass”, when opponent is in our zone! Not by a big hit, and takeaway, like Wilson can do, but with numerous persistent, and irritating, mini-disruptions, that, at a minimum, often cause chaos to an opponent, attempting their initial zone setup, OR, help set up a takeaway for one of his linemates! This is, obviously, not literally scoring goals, but nonetheless, an absolutely essential and often overlooked, fundamental element of puck possession and offensive production!!
He can reasonably be expected to achieve 15-20 goals, and 30-40 points, per season, for his remaining, relatively INEXPENSIVE contract!!
Lastly, his hustle and determination, often put him in “the right place, at the right time”!
Ya know...like the OT winner, gm3, 1st round, last year in Columbus! OR maybe, just maybe, the FUCKIN game winner in Vegas, for nothing less than THE STANLEY!! (not to mention, last nites OT winner, in Montreal)!
At the price he comes at, I’ll take Lars anytime!! (So did Trotzy and Rierden)!
Ok DC, take it a little easy on me, here, or I’ll just have to come up there and get drunk with you again, brother! LOL!
Rush
