Haven't posted in a while, but thought i'd chime in after tonight.
I don't think enough was made about the loss of Polak on our defense.
With Soby and Cracknell gone as well, our grit is basically gone.
Last I looked we were in the bottom 5 in the league for hits, and games like tonight show what can happen when a team gets super physical against us.
Our 3-0 lead was misleading. 2 of those were tip ins, but aside from that it really looked like LA was winning more of the battles.
Loved Backes/Ott/Jaskin/Berglund tonight, but it really felt like the other forwards especially Oshie and Taraseko were playing scared hockey.
I am really hoping this game sends a message to management, that the team needs a big young hungry forward to play on the wing.
I also REALLY think we need to get another Polak styled dman. Look at the cavemen that other teams are using, sure we have a ton of puck moving dmen, but they are not doing near enough to punish opposing forwards who either make their way to front of the net, or enter the zone.
I proposed trading Pietrangelo a couple weeks ago, nothing has changed in my mind. For what teams would offer us, i'd make a trade in a heartbeat if it got us back a power forward and a caveman.