It's why Krueger and the players are always talking about how we have to "work harder" after a loss, and how we need more goal scoring, need to convert our chances, etc.
It's the way they play offensively. Everything goes around a perimeter along the glass and gets funneled back to the point for a long shot through a crowd of people...with the shot usually not being on net in the first place.
That's our offensive scheme. I think a large function of that is the players we have; they are soft Reinhart types who do not want to crash and bang and go the sweet spots on the ice.
There are a few exceptions; Gus has always been willing to attack the net and Simmonds should probably help in that regard, but still....it's not nearly enough.
I had trouble posting in the live thread last night. I think the bolded is why - as others alluded - in the 3rd Ralph swapped Larsson and Eichel. KO and Girgs could do more dirty work down low with Eichel playing through and injury, and Larsson could do the down-low work for Reinhart and Olofsson.
I actually thought the Sabres didn't play badly. I thought the effort and engagement was good, save for not enough urgency when JJ was pulled late. They didn't shy away from physical play. McCabe's backhander was a textbook shootout move. I thought the Sabres had decent chances, but Pens collapsed D always got a stick on the puck at last moments (e.g., MarJo forgoing the high slot shot to move left to the crease before the Pen poked it). Pens PP entries are world class. Both teams had chances they couldn't convert on - Pens hit at least 2 pipes in the 3rd. JJ had a couple pucks get by him through his equipment another 'keeper may have kept out. Oh well, not sure Hutton would have stopped certain other PIT shots which JJ did. I agree with
@joshjull - Hammond should have been called up because of his prior NHL experience / mental preparation, and let JJ have the consistency with the Amerks the rest of the way. And that's not knocking JJ's ability nor readiness.
Agree with many of the in-game and post-game comments. Sabres need to be faster, stop defaulting to so much o-zone possession as a "high-to-low" only philosophy, and have a greater number / percentage of players who can play in the low slot / crease area more effectively. Baffled why Kahun didn't play more. Dahlin had a weak clear attempt which led to another minute of PIT O-zone possession.
The officiating was poor. If you don't waive off PIT's first goal, you can't in turn call Larsson, who was similarly pushed backwards at his hip by the PIT defender while unsteadily balanced. Malkin should have gone to the box at least once.
But I watched the whole game, without becoming disinterested with the Sabres lack of effort, or feeling the Sabres were grossly outplayed. I'm not equivocating, because I know that's not "progress", but I've seen many worse efforts and outcomes this season.