Offense?

I thought the Americans were going to be a high-scoring machine, but that hasn't happened.  With guys like Shinnimin, Hughesman, Rankin, Feser, and Holland--to name a few--there was supposed to be more offense than we would know what to do with.  There was peace of mind with an unproven starting goalie and a 16-year-old goalie that the team wouldn't have to worry because the offense would score more than what was scored on the tandem.

Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware Adam Hughesman is, as of this writing, 3rd in the league in scoring, with 12 goals, 24 points.  The next on the team is Justin Feser with 5 goals, 15 points.  Shinnimin has been held to 2 goals, one of those was an empty netter (I'll take it, mind you) from an unselfish Connor Rankin.  Holland only has one goal.  The power play is 14th in the league at 20%.  The defensemen have 10 goals, 3 each for Yuen, Topping, and Plutnar.

Obviously that top line of Shinnimin and Hughesman is going to get shut down by the opposition.  I renew my request (?) that there needs to be a big body parked in front of the net so those two can do their magic.  I miss Neal Prokop.  Mason's decent, but he's better an plowing through guys than pushing them out of in front of the net.  I like Rankin with Shinny and Hughey for the scoring potential, but if they can't get to the net...

There's two guys who could potentially fill that role of parking in front of the net--Mack Royer and Nate MacMaster.  Obviously, Royer's still out (still think he's faking Portland?) and since he's been out awhile it will take him a bit to get up to speed when he is back.  It's difficult too, because I like the work Nate's done grinding it out on other lines.

And I know, Holly, Shinny and Co. don't need to hear this from me, they know they're snake-bitten when it comes to scoring goals.  I don't know Shinny very well, but I know he's ultra competitive so I am quite sure he's pretty frustrated with his game.  That being said, I have full confidence that his scoring will come, he's too talented for it not to.  I also believe Holland is doing so many other little things right, that I'm ok with him not lighting it up night after night.

Like coach as said many times on the post-game show, they've got to work at getting those greasy ones.  If the pretty ones that Shinny & Co. can score aren't happening, they've got to grind it out and pick up the garbage in front of the net.