That is because that team was awful.
Do your really think this team is as bad defensively as we’ve seen consistently this year?
Nope.
I think several players are slumping early and it is combining to have the team out of sync.
I think they miss Blueger. I kind of like Poehling, but Blueger is a little sharper defensively with his positioning and his decision-making. I'd like to see what Poehling does on Blueger's wing.
Crosby always runs hot/cold in October and November. I think he started strong because he had a full camp, but now he's in a customary cold spell.
Rust runs hot and cold, too. For the first time, it's impacting his decision-making. Maybe he feels an obligation to meet his contract. Maybe he's gotten lazy. Whatever it is, he's not playing at his level.
Dumoulin's struggles are well documented.
Letang has had moments his entire career where he's locked in and dominant, but also moments where he's a space cadet. He's dealing with the latter right now.
Jarry isn't right, either. He's not as crisp side to side, almost out of control. He's not tracking the puck. And he's giving up more rebounds, anecdotally anyway, than usual. He also says he's not healthy, so who knows.
I still don't like the mix in the bottom six, but it's been disjointed with Blueger and Carter missing time.
Finally, I don't like the PK. I think it's better than the first few games, but I hate the style. I don't like Vellucci. I was hoping someone would hire him away.
All that said, most of these guys are pretty proven. I have faith that Letang and Rust and Crosby will be better. So I am willing to be patient, and I do understand there is a valid school of thought that says you let some players work their way through their problems and other players you bench or give a kick in the ass.
However, I think Sullivan delegates too much. He lets Reirden and Vellucci do their thing and figure things out in their respective areas. I think this approach extends to the players, too. He lets guys who earn his trust work through things.
The one thing I agree with you on is I wish Sullivan would have a shorter leash. He doesn't have to scratch Rust, but maybe shake up his role a bit. I'd start by keeping L1 together but taking Rust off the power play and putting him on the PK. Get him back to his foundational skills that earned him a spot in the first place.
Ideally, here is what I'd run if everyone is healthy:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Zucker-Malkin-Rakell
McGinn-Carter-Heinen
Hallander-Blueger-Poehling
Archibald
I'm still not wild about that third line.
POJ-Letang
Pettersson-Petry
Dumoulin-Rutta
Ruhwedel
I want POJ with Letang to be more of an offensive threat. And I'd use Pettersson and Petry in the situations that Dumoulin-Letang used to get.
Guentzel-Crosby-Rakell-Malkin-Petry on the power play, with Malkin and Rakell on the wings for one-timers and Guentzel and Crosby roaming down low and in front of the net.
Hallander-Rust and Blueger-McGinn on the PK, attacking the points and puck carriers more aggressively, boxing out stronger down below, and causing more havoc.