Our 1st line can go up against anyone when they get Letang for most of the game. When they have to assume Malkin's job of being stuck more regularly with Jack Johnson and Olli Maatta, it's a different story.
In the 4 games against playoff teams or teams with playoff aspirations since the Ottawa game without Geno, Sid has 1 assist at ES and is a -5.
Forget the wingers. The issue is that we have 1 good defenseman who can move the puck, and Sid gets him. IF that's going to be the game-- and IF, as expected, Sully neutralizes Schultz with Johnson or Maatta-- THEN the wingers matters and THEN Rust on Geno's LW is a must. But, apparently Sid gets him too.