Okay, while I've defended him many times, and don't think I've been wrong at all in said defense, it's time to put Jared Bednar and his staff on blast, because they failed as miserably as the team did during this home stand.
First, for all the credit I have given Bednar in the past for making bold choices, especially when it comes to youth, he has relied on the trio of Nieto-Soderberg-Comeau for far, far too long now. It's weirdly conservative, especially for him. Remember, they started out as a 4th line and have been vaulted to practically 2nd line status.
While I completely understand why they've been relied on so much this year, the wheels are falling off a little, especially Matt Nieto, who has done next to nothing since his hat trick. And even Comeau's even-strength play has plateaued/regressed a bit in recent weeks. I think Soda could use some better scorers, and both Nieto and Comeau need to be bumped way down the lineup as their warts are really showing at even strength.
What's more, Bednar's insistence on keeping that line together is creating huge problems elsewhere, as the "2nd" and 4th lines are basically sloppy seconds and thirds. Alex Kerfoot should not be expected to carry a line by himself and it's killing his game right now. Bednar needs to finally admit that he's gotten as much as he can get for a 4th line that was playing way above its head and break it up. Put Soda with Kerf and Compher, maybe use Comeau on the 3rd with Wilson and whoever, and FFS, put Nieto on the 4th line where he belongs.
I also don't at all understand the notion of promoting Rocco Grimaldi to provide a "spark" and then sticking him on the 4th line. Grimaldi did little more than run around as a defensive liability, and I'm pretty sure he was on the ice for the comedy of errors that resulted in the McCabe goal.
And yes, I agree, Tyson Jost should have spent more time in the AHL. He's clearly struggling and could have used a lot more shakedown time. Bring up Dom Toninato as he was at least decent in getting the puck out of the zone. Look to make that 4th line more sound defensively instead of taking the biggest defensive liabilities on the team and sticking them there.
All in all, in terms of personnel decisions, deployment, and tactics, this was a huge failure all around. I hope the team is taking a good, long look as to how best to move forward because this team as currently comprised isn't working.