Crosby and geno aren't the issues. The issue is other players not playing their role. Jake over passing and not getting in front of the net. Rakell needs to establish himself as a threat to shoot. Rust wasn't. Letang isnt shooting either, so he is no threat.
If the other players played their roles Crosby and Geno wouldn't have a problem. Guys like kessel, Neal, Horny and even Kunitz all played to their specific roles. Put Zucker out their over Jake and honestly POJ over Letang and I bet you have a more successful unit.
I don't agree, Those two are your best goal scorers, period, then the other guys come in to pickup the rest feeding off of them. It's simple math, they need to be more greedy, and if they are shooting upwards of 250 to 300 shots a season they are 40/50 goal scorers.
The other players are not the ones forcing them to pass in prime goal scoring position. Sid and Geno can't be decoys all the time. Passing to players who don't score or don't have a reputation of scoring should not be diverted as the shooter. I mean, slam dunks sure, but how many of those were missed opportunities?
Now, this is getting stretched into 5 on 5 play when we're talking the PP. Even then, guys get chances now and then on PP1.
It all starts with those two, and they are on the top PP every single time. They do the same things all the time. They trade spaces and await another pass. How about a give and go once in awhile breaking to the slot and shoot. How often do you see them go to the middle? They are stale stuck in the same old routines.
How many telegraphed picked off passes. There's literally hundreds to choose from.
Their routine is right circle, goal line to side of the net and in Geno's case, right point. Everything they do is perimeter work. Heck, that's the teams motto or their scouting card to other teams. Teams will give them that all day. You'd think players with that high of hockey IQ would understand this. The art of getting lost in a PK units view.
That's not to say other players haven't messed up, too, but they are also not world class generational talents, either. You expect flaws to a higher degree from them. Who's supposed to make whom better or look better?
Simpler words couldn't have been said by, Mario, go to the net and I will put the puck on your stick. So the others are a part of it, but that part shouldn't exclude Sid and Geno going to the net, only one player can have the puck at any given time. They choose not to do it enough and stick to their routine. Win opposition.
