Salvaged Ship
Registered User
- Oct 9, 2013
- 8,703
- 2,490
Offense starts at the back end and comes by virtue of possession. Taking our best possession-driving defensemen out of the roster in favor of a nostalgia tour significantly impacted the team's ability to generate either.
Is it the ONLY problem? No.
The rookies look like rookies in their first NHL playoffs. Which is disappointing after how they carried themselves through the regular season, and how important they've been to the team's success this season, but hardly unprecedented or unfixable.
The coaches inability or lack of interest in hard-matching our most consistent line down the stretch (Hartman-Kruger-Hossa - the only line that continued to play at a high level post-Oduya) against their most potent line on home ice dug us a 0-2 hole.
All of these things are issues.
But Q is open and proud about the fact that his is a defense first system that generates its push from the backend. And in deference to loyalty, he kneecapped the team's ability to do what the system is set-up to do.
Did we score goals at a high rate when Kempny was on the ice? Not sure but didn't seem like it to me. And when it comes to Kempny what makes you think he wouldn't be just like all the other rookies on our roster and be overwhelmed?
I wanted Kempny to play but just not seeing how it would have made any difference in where the series is. He is another rookie just like Schmaltz, Kero, Hartman. And our tested experienced vets stink, they are getting whipped. Was playing Kempny earlier the right decision? Probably, but the way people are talking its like we would be winning this series if he was. Outside of inserting an in his prime Gretzky in our lineup I doubt one player makes much difference. We are getting severely outplayed in all facets.