Sorry, I think all of this loose Buff, structured Buff is nonsense, how is he not fitting into the team structure? How does anyone even know this? I don't see him playing dramatically looser than before the break when he was as freewheeling as he ever was. Of course he dictates much of how the team goes, he's on the ice for almost half the game but I don't pin others loose play on him, and I don't think Maurice would either. I agree with YWG that the biggest culprits have been the forwards, in a couple of areas. The D has made some questionable decisions trying to keep the puck in but it's been more a case of poor communication.
They had a so so game in Pittsburgh, again penalties played the biggest role. They were pretty poor against Philly, poor gaps, disorganized forecheck, forwards leaving the d zone early, too many guys caught deep in the O- zone, bad communication, just bad. Other than some stupid penalties though they played pretty damn well 5v5 against Dallas, as Maurice pointed out, far better than the 2-1 game they won. The forecheck was back and the forwards were supporting the attacking D and getting good back pressure. Penalties killed them, that's it, that's all, nothing left to see.
If they play like they did last night 5v5 against the Flames, stay out of the box and get good goaltending they will be tough to beat......book it.
