We waited 4 days for that?
In retrospect, and we should all now expect this - no chance we are ever going to have a five game stretch better than 3-2 as currently constructed, we are just an aggressively slightly above average team with Nico, Marky, and Haula out. I can't believe I'm including Haula in that sentence. Fitz has philosophically always preached patience, but man that shit is really testing all of us right now. Our center depth is brutal and we have no raw scoring talent.
The last piece had a nice shiny spotlight on it early, as we took advantage of Buffalo's ruff (ay--ooo) defensive structure. Timo, my guy.. I've been contorting myself in your defense, let's take a walk.. You gotta get that puck off the ice man, UPL has one option to stop that move - an outstretched leg - and you fucking jammed it right into his pad. MacDermid.. I get it man you were surprised to find the puck on your stick, but buddy, it's not a grenade just pop it in buddy. We had our chances, and were actually playing not all too badly but this scoring early issue is so frustrating and it has to change.
The first two goals against were just... FUCKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bratt, that was some lazy ass shit in front, you need be locked-in with a puck bouncing in the slot - and it's right on Tage's stick. Take notes, he knows how to score. Then AGAIN, Bratt with a lazy swipe, feet not moving and Tage beats him again. Easy bang bang goal because Jack was just cruising back without a care in the world on that backcheck too. I didn't forget about you asshole. Bratt, who notably has a mental coach, with two massive mental mistakes. How are you not ready to go?
Being down 2-0 to the worst team in the East. Good job guys, no notes, surely it won't get worse and we can re-group and crawl back right? WRONG. The first rule of pinching is you have to 100% you're going to win it. It's on the PP, and we're already down 2-0 so it was the rigt move, but Dougie HAS TO win that battle, and lost it so fucking easily. Not a good look for me, as I have spent 10,000 words defending Dougie's honor. This left Jack to make an ill advised slide in the neutral zone - zero gap awareness on that one - and McLeod is off to the races. 3-0. It's over. if it wasn't so fucking cold out yesterday I would've turned it off and gone outside. But, no I'm a masochist and sat and stewed because I have to serve all 3 of you that read this nonsense.
Jack and Bratt got absolutely body bagged by Thomposon's line all game, getting scored on 3 times 5v5 with nothing for. They both got less than 10 minutes 5v5 - but that was largely because of the amount of penalties as Jack had the most forward ice time. They did respond nicely with Jack's first shorty to get us back within one, but they were a large reason we were in that hole to begin with. Start better, we want you on the ice, but deserve it guys.
There is no real correlation between FO winning percentage and team success or possession numbers. But man we were AWFUL in the dot, 38%, and AHLer Dowling was the only guy really helping that number. Woof. Need Nico and uncle Erik back.
All the talk was about learning in the Philly game how they need to win, using physicality to unlock offense blah blah. We ran MacDermid out there again because - frankly - they have been far better with him in the lineup. Now this is likely a correlation isn't causation scenario, but before yesterday they played to a .700 clip with him and a .545 without him, averaging nearly a goal more per game and half a goal less against (+1.4 G Differential). Didn't work yesterday, but it's hard to argue with those results.
Another one of our biggest culprits yesterday was the PP, it was small and flaccid and didn't work when called upon. 0-5 with one shortened because of a Lazy hold by Noesen. Sure they got some good pumps in, but couldn't finish - AND gave up the aforementioned shorty. Just put us in the Cuck chair.
We came back a little, but again it was too little too late.. Again. The irony of playing a Lindy game against Lindy. Maybe the inconsistent effort wasn't on Lindy? Look in the mirror fellas, because yesterday wasn't it. We are still sitting in 3rd in the division and 5th in the conference. However, this is the second time in a week we have fallen below .600 and objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.
Man what a fucking embarrassment, get your shit together. These losses to bottom feeders are tiresome. I don't want to write anything else.
Hey Valiquette, your team still blows even with your new toy.
LGD
