Why do you think he had to play them that much? If they had the lead do you think he would have played them that much? They chased the game the whole game because the goalie couldn’t make the stops they needed
Skinner is statistically the worst goalie in the playoffs in the cap era. I don’t understand why some are so quick to deflect blame elsewhere.
The depth on the team hasn’t been good enough, sure. I posit that a good part of that has been them chasing the game two games in a row because they can’t get the lead (the 1-0 lead evaporated quickly on a soft call and soft goal against).
If Knoblauch doesn’t trust the depth why is he so reluctant to take them out?
Knoblauch played connor and Leon over 27 minutes in game 2 as well. A game that they were not at all in jeopardy of having it get away from them.
My opinion on that is that Knoblauch is playing the odds. He understands that if he has the 2 best players in the world play half the game it gives him the best chance to win.
I am also not deflecting any blame away from Skinner. We had an earlier discussion (and both agreed) about how starting Pickard was the right move for game 4.
This to me isnt just one issue.
The TOI distribution is just as obvious as the goaltending issue.
It just cant continue. Lets say they contine to do this and beat the Canucks. What are they going to do against an even better team in Dallas?
Its just so crystal clear....some depth players have to step up or this team will have a problem even with Pickard in net.