When the wheels come off for this team, they come right off, axels and all...just grinding over the pavement throwing sparks before sliding into the ditch and exploding in a massive fireball.
Appleton's been underwhelming for a while, and he really shit the bed last night. Couldn't make a play to save his life. Small samples and xG questions aside, he was giving up chances at 5v5 like he was on the PK. Just brutal. Sit him for a while. Niederreiter needs to give his head a shake too.
Fleury's not great either. If you're a defenseman getting the same ice time as Appleton did last night, you're doing something wrong. Sit him. Call up Salomonsson.
Tanev was pretty good. I think Arniel waited too long to bench Craps and Needs. Tanev should've been on Lowry's wing (and Appleton on the 4th line) after the 1st period.
Edit: Actually, Appleton did get demoted after the 1st. Had 4 shifts in the 2nd and 2 shifts in the third. Six too many!