C-Mac playing ok, better than in November, but to me rebound control problems remain.
No part of CBJ played well last night, starting with D, but forwards and G not much better. On board with significant shake-up of D, but honestly, I wouldn't know who to jettison and who to keep - none are playing well, and Murray can't stay in the lineup long enough to make a difference (if healthy, I think he will be excellent top pair D). The rest of D - meh. I agree some O-Zone pressure would help, but for 5-10 minutes leading up to the RyJo-Hartnell goal (maybe prettiest goal of the year), I had just texted my daughter that we hadn't successfully completed 2 passes in succession. And that starts with the D, but admittedly doesn't end there.
LAK are defending SCC, but they aren't that fearsome right now. They out-executed us because their D is better at getting offense started. I expected a better effort from CBJ. Still think "season over" hangover continues when CBJ gets behind or gives up the "immediate after goal - goal." (IAGG or eegads, not sure which I prefer). Think the 4pt weekend instilled a little false hope in a few (players, not just posters) that they've still got a shot. They don't (this coming from the poster who started the 93/94 pt thread a month ago). And every loss like last night adds another player (or two) to the list of those for whom reality has begun to set in. I'd add RyJo to the list last night - not a critique of his play or effort, just his reaction post-game. He was sad and resigned - typically a loss might tick him off or at least he's focused on "next game." When every game means everything, and you lose it, the next game just doesn't mean a whole lot. They will have other things to play for (pride, the fans, just getting better), but none of those will matter much, if at all, until the hangover is done. And for some, the hangover may not begin/end until factually mathematically eliminated. Makes for a schizo lockerroom and not just the Boards, as players go through the process at different speeds. Players had SCF on their minds all summer and camp...to not make playoffs is beyond their worst nightmare as players. Injuries primary reason, but the injuries also exposed weaknesses - D is weak, depth not as well-developed as thought, G situation unsettled if Bob not healthy (and he was Vezina Bob only in December, not Jan prior to injury). More building to do. And that realization sucks with 2 months left in the season.
