More mashed potatoes, please...
What player symbolizes the mashed potatoes more than Mathieu Olivier? I certainly couldn't think of anyone. Mathieu is more than just this team's enforcer - he's one of their leading goal scorers so far this season. None of us saw that coming. He's already eclipsed his career high with 6 goals in 20 games, and he's well on pace to shatter his career points total as well.
All of this while locking down a spot on the third line, and playing on the penalty kill so far this season. Meat and (mainly) potatoes is the perfect descriptor to Mathieu's game, and the only negative thing I can say here is that he isn't signed to a new contract just yet. We can't let this dish leave the table, Don!
Need some gravy?
Look no further than Olivier's on-again, off-again partner on the third line: center Cole Sillinger. Like Mathieu, Cole brings a little bit of attitude to the CBJ lineup, though with a touch more skill. The only reason they don't spend more time together is because Cole has become the team's de facto utility player. He's used all over ... just like the gravy. You get where I'm going here.
While he'll probably never become a full-time top-line player, quietly, Cole is producing at a roughly 50-point pace through 20 games this season. He's doing that while playing mostly at center, and often matched up against top opposition on a nightly basis. He plays on the PK, sees some PP time, and has become a crucial two-way piece of this team's lineup. More gravy, please!
Stuffing. Gotta have it.
We got a bargain on our stuffing this year, I don't care what anyone says on "X" or any of the other social media platforms. Sean Monahan is actually an underpaid value for this team so far, if you can believe it. And I don't think this contract is going to age poorly at all. He's been a perfect fit.
Through 20 games, he ranks second on the team in goals (7), assists (13) and is tied for the team lead with 20 points. He's a +8, leads the way with 3 power-play goals, and has a 51.5% win rate at the faceoff dot. Why do we call him the stuffing? Because stuffing can make or break your entire Thanksgiving meal, depending on how good it is. And, also, because he stuffs a lot of goals in net-front. Duh.
We're not even close to done yet (sorry, not sorry)...