Derek Roy's mind-set is simple: If there's a two-on-one with Thomas Vanek, the left winger is likely to find a way to score. So Roy is passing him the puck nearly every time.
Problem is, it's not working. The odd-man rushes are often fading away without a shot by anyone.
"Thomas is a 40-goal scorer," Roy said. "It's hard not to pass because he's always in position. He's all ready to one-time it or get in position to score a goal, and that's why he's so good at what he does."
Roy, a 30-goal scorer, has yet to find the net. Prediction: He will Wednesday; he seems to respond every time someone brings up one of his droughts to him. Not sure if it will be on an odd-man rush, though. Vanek is a very tempting target.
"That’s a great excuse [for not shooting]," coach Lindy Ruff admitted.
---John Vogl
