SPOTLIGHTED 33 DUSTIN BYFUGIEN

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Friday, Apr. 5, 2013

"ï"ï HIS NUMBERS:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/04/2013 (4563 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“ï”ï HIS NUMBERS:

Goals: 0 Assists: 0 Points: 0 Plus/minus: -1

“ï”ï HIS ICE TIME:

CP
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) warms up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens Thursday, April 4, 2013 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz — CP Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) warms up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens Thursday, April 4, 2013 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Shifts: 15 Ice time: 15:55

First period:

Byfuglien, starting his first game on the wing since helping lead the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 2010, opened on the right side of Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd on the Jets’ top line. He didn’t generate a shot on goal in six shifts totalling just under six minutes of ice time.

Second period:

Nothing that leaps out — other than the Ladd-Little-Byfuglien trio being on the ice for Michael Ryder’s second goal. The one note of significance: When the Jets did get their first power play, Byfuglien was back on the point with Toby Enstrom.

Third period:

So much for that — Byfuglien is moved back to the point for an early power play, with Brandon Prust sent off at 21 seconds, and then stays there. But after Alex Galchenyuk is left alone behind him for the Habs’ fourth goal, he finds a permanent spot on the bench and does not play for the last 12 minutes of the game.

“ï”ï WHAT WE LIKED:

Zero, to be honest.

“ï”ï WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:

Byfuglien can still be a difference-maker from the defensive position. Up front, he did little to use his size to create turnovers and his lack of fitness and speed were obvious. Essentially, he looked like a fish out of water and nothing like the power forward who gave Roberto Luongo such fits in the 2010 Western Conference final.

“ï”ï SYNOPSIS:

No need for us to weigh in, when Claude Noel did after the game. Here’s the boss: “I just didn’t think he was very effective up front. I didn’t think they (the Ladd-Little-Byfuglien line) had enough speed.”

And on the benching: “This isn’t the first time they put a puck at the net and he’s standing beside the guy without taking the stick. After a while you just can’t continue down that road. If you’re not going to make changes, then you don’t play.”

— Ed Tait