Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
TBH I blame the lineup decisions.
You're not going to win when you're dressing all of Hunt, Rooney, Lomberg, Klapka, Miromanov, and Hanley.
Team really missed Backlund, Zary, and Pachal IMO.
You lost two skilled forwards and replaced them with grinders instead of Kerins (and his 4 points in 5 NHL games) and scratched one of your most steady guys.
|
Hunt had a breakaway chance and a couple of hits, but also was late out to Lindgren on his seeing eye screen shot goal.
Rooney is...what it is at this point. He's at least a decent penalty killer. Been doing a pretty good job of that lately.
Lomberg had some time with two skill guys and the puck just died on his stick every time. Didn't even bring the energy or fire tonight.
Klapka has a glimpse now an then, but is always skating at least a step or two behind, and is thinking the game 2-3 steps behind, especially defensively.
Really growing to dislike Miromanov. The first Parker goal happens because he pretends he is a forward and is down below the offensive zone faceoff dot, forcing Huberdeau to cover his position. Not only does he not get back in time to help Huberdeau, but Jake Bean was doing...whatever the #### he was doing. When Huberdeau is the last man back covering defensively, you have to openly question just what the #### the decision making was for the two defensemen leading up to that unfortunate bounce.
Hanley is a gamer. He's not highly skilled but he plays a smart game and contributes positive minutes throughout. He made one bad play to go for the big hit and then was out of position on Parker's 2nd goal. Not someone you typically see out of position.
Let's be honest, the way Backlund, Zary, and Pachal have played of late, it's not like most of those players were a significant downgrade in replacing them. It's a team full of 3rd and 4th liners or AHL tweeners, with a few 2nd line players. Swapping out a 3rd or 4th liner for a 4th liner or tweener isn't a big difference.
Still, they have to find ways to score if they're serious about making the playoffs. There's no way the make it scoring 2 goals a game.