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The kids can score. The kids can pass. The kids can skate. The kids can stick up for themselves. The kids can hold their own on the back end. The kids can … you get the picture.

The rise of the kids has been a dominant NHL storyline this fall. Millennials are making an immediate impact and, in some cases, making it look easy.

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However, these young bucks — in this case, NHLers 23 or younger — don’t have it all figured out. As a group, they have struggled to find their footing at the faceoff dot.

The rookie class, for instance, had won 528 of 1,213 faceoffs heading into Monday — a success rate below 44 per cent.

“It takes some time to get used to it,” said a shrugging William Nylander of the Maple Leafs. “You’re playing against the best guys in the world. It shouldn’t be easy when you get here.”

Given the technical nature of taking a faceoff — timing and positioning are crucial — Nylander has a point. It’s not entirely surprising veterans run the show. Gaining possession of the puck off a draw is an art, an acquired skill.