Ugh. I started off hopeful, but the team literally deflated. I guess it's natural to see all those odd man rushes get absolutely denied, or not finished. How many? 6 or 7? Something like that? Anyway, that had me hopeful. "Keep plugging boys! We'll have to get some in eventually! Good play, intense!"
But no. The team slowed down it seemed after Garon's goal he got pulled on.
I said it from the beginning, after we won nearly all our home games: "I hope this doesn't translate to poor road play..." Unfortunately, it did. What the hell is it? We are a COMPLETELY different team on the road. Why? What the **** makes it so different?
We didn't look that bad until the third period. Team wasn't hustling as it did before. Stamkos and Marty are literally a liability on the ice, and it really pains me to say so. Also, something that drives me up the wall:
ZONE ENTRY
We play probably 3 quarters, if not MORE of the game in our own end, its ridiculous. We cannot ever get any sustained pressure in the offensive zone. I haven't seen any other team in the league plagued with the same problem. It isn't just this year either, last year, we were horrible at gaining the zone too, and even more so staying there. One poster I noticed said something about the dump and chase routine... Unfortunately, it is what we have to do, because no one can gain entry. I have no idea why. Every team seems to have put the left-wing lock on us, and we can't solve it to save our lives.
Boucher... His PC gave me hope the other day... But now I'm starting to doubt him for the first time. No doubt (I don't live in Tampa, so I didn't see his post-game) his presser tonight will say that We had so many opportunities, and we have had so many opportunities in the past, and its so hard to play on the road, and how we weren't that bad... And on and on, giving us hope. But. But... The thing is, I'm not so sure. Any coach would have noticed the blind passes this team is making. The hope passes. Any coach would have seen the lack of motivation we are all seeing. Any coach would notice how clogged the neutral zone was and adjust his game-plan accordingly. But I feel like Boucher hasn't noticed any of this. Teams evolve their strategy as the game goes on... We stick to the same one.
I really hope Boucher has noticed this and he just doesn't bring it up - but you think it would stop. I'm definitely not saying he needs to be fired or anything, I love Boucher. But I just hope he sees the things we see.
I'm sick of giving up goals to 4th line scrubs. But most of all, I'm sick of losing, especially after the HOT start we had. We know what this team is capable of doing, and it is very depressing to see them lose this badly.
lyk dis if u agree
EDIT:
https://soundcloud.com/tblightning/boucher-post-game-2-10-nyr-at
I like what he said. He did say what I said he would say (wat), but he also acknowledges the "hope" plays and trying to "cheat" to win the game.