Nothing seemed to go right for the Pens last night as the lost to the Sabres 4-1. They were dominated the whole game, a strong showing by Fleury keeping it from being a major blowout. The lone goal game from a Recchi deflection from a Jordan Staal shot that bounced into the air. Other than this instance, the offense was invisible.
Crosby was able to create nothing, and Malkin ruined everything he touched last night. The top lines made nothing all night, and even the forecheck was weak. The 4th line of Ruutu-Talbot-Laraque was probably the best. Laraque attempted to get Peters to fight, but he refused (though he was steamed about something Laraque said to him, my guess is along the lines of "chickenshit") and Peters was rarely, if at all seen after the first period.
Michel Ouellet continued to show he has no place on this team, continually dragging down the second scoring and powerplay lines with slow skating and unable to handle the puck. We can only hope Shero rids us of him after this season.
Sadly, Gonchar mishandled more pucks than any other player, constantly losing control. One goal was directly his fault as he for no good reason tried to play up on Vanek, only to fall down and take out Talbt in the process. Easy goal for Buffalo. The rest of the defense wasnt much better.
Therrien also called a horrible game himself. He put Crosby and Malkin together and with both having off nights were easily shut down. He did not change up the lines until the third but the way thigns were going it was already to late. His biggest mistake though came in not dressing Kwiatkowski. With Whitney out from a sore groin, instead of putting in the defenseman with offensive skills, he dressed Melichar, Scuderi and Nazzy, all of whome have no offensive ability and have played poorly as of late. Instead he moved Mark Recchi back to the point, where he once again looked utterly terrible and out of place. You traded for an offensive dman, you only have two of those on your roster, one is injured, SO YOU PUT THE THIRD ONE IN! Jack Adams winner my ass. This is why Therrien should not win: simple things he is not capable of doing (and this includes playing Ouellet at all).
The powerplay was woeful at best, five on five not any better. Penalty killing and Fleury were the only things that went right this game.
Therrien better right the ship quick or else it will be a very quick first round exit.
-Jordan
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4 comments:
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