today 17:05
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Two-time Stanley Cup holder Erik Černák keeps his defensive standards at a high level even in the new season and attracts the attention of overseas experts with his game.
Although he is not the center of the fans’ attention, such as the star of the club Victor Hedman, his contribution to the team is invaluable. “He is like Ondřej Palát in the first formation. There is always talk of someone else, ” said an analyst and former defender who won the Stanley Cup three times, Brian Engblom for Tampa Bay Times.
Since the Slovak defender became a part of the Tampa Bay Lightning, he has been cooperating with the American Ryan McDonagh. With an experienced quarterback, they form a stable and very well-played pair, which rolls opponents, especially on weaknesses.
“They simply fit together. The chemistry among the players is largely unknown. General managers work on exchanges and acquisitions, coaches take notes on paper and plan how great it will be. And it is not. Chemistry comes into being on its own, and even the players themselves say, ‘I don’t know why it doesn’t work.’ Or, ‘I don’t know why it works, but it works’, ” says Engblom.
Quality cooperation was also a sign of Černák’s development. He was able to adopt certain game habits from McDonagh. “You always learn from the guys you’re on the ice with. Černák plays with two or three of the best. Sergachev has his skills, Hedman has everything, as does McDonagh. Each of them has just a slightly different style of play, ” dodal Engblom.
The Slovak defender has played seven matches in the season so far, in which he scored twice. He is the fourth busiest Lightning player and second in the weakening. The team’s lead belongs to the number of shots on goal, when with 25 attempts he beat four captain Steven Stamkos. He is still waiting for his first accurate hit of the season, however, the head coach has already managed to honor him with a compliment.
“‘Black’ is a type of player that sometimes no one even notices in the back. But he and McDonagh do a lot of hard work for our team. And it’s no surprise that if it’s not around, the level of our game will drop a little, “ said coach Jon Cooper.
See also the beautiful gesture of Alexander Ovechkin:
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