I read through nearly the entire thread. Interesting stuff. Lots of anger, as expected. I don't think anyone is wrong but it's hard to pin point who is right. Then after deliberation of what I think is ailing the team, I think its larger collection of everything that we've been bitching about.
I don't think the loss can be blamed on any one thing but rather a collection. Here's a pie chart of everything that contributed to the loss:
As you can see, there's no single thing that solely contributed. I don't think any single component contributes to any single or multiple losses. What ailes the Penguins is that they have so many little things that if added up, will lead to a loss.
The question becomes every game, will the collective things we know they CAN do well be enough to overcome the things we KNOW they will do bad. Sadly, personnel decisions alone account for a lot of what is in that chart. One player can play a major role in a lot of these things.
Sullivan playing Johnson.
Sullivan and coaching staff and perhaps even the players believing, to a fault, that the team is better off with Johnson in the lineup.
Murray starting.
Sullivan choosing to start Murray.
Murray's play at any given moment.
Third line being an irrelevant collection of human and plastic existing in the world.
Marleau being irrelevant.
Sullivan choosing to play Marleau due to some non-sense about being a vet.
The powerplay being ass.
The powerplay personnel selection.
Crosby and Malkin's lazy play on the PP.
Sheary not being a true 1RW.
Crosby being difficult to play for so finding true 1RW.
JJ-Schultz pairing.
Sullivan electing to have a JJ-Schultz pairing.
Guentzel being slightly rusty.
Zucker and Rust doing decent but seemingly unimpactful.
McCann not being great.
Horny not being great.
BART line doing what they are put together to do but somehow being a -2.
Sullivan electing to configure the bottom 6 the way he has.
Sullivan electing to not to play younger, more tenacious players.
Maybe 2 or 3 of the 18 players showing a consistent amount of speed and effort.
Low shooting % from every single player.
No one wanting to get in front of the net and create traffic.
Having your confidence shattered after 1 goal against.
Not taking your #12 seeded opponent seriously.
See where I'm going with this? No single thing sinks this team but we have this infuriating ability to quickly let several of these things overtake the game. One thing that I think did not work in their favor was everyone believe, and rightfully so, that this would be an absolute cakewalk for them. Granted it should be. But theres still a fair amount of parity in the league. They came out flying and dominated the play because they had confidence. Confidence that they were the superior team...and they are...because they ARE. But then...one goal against...and its the biggest reality punch in the face you could ever get. You could then visibly see the frustration building. With that, every single thing listed above (and the things that aren't) are exacerbated by that frustration. They said 'we stuck to our game'. They didn't.
I keep thinking about to 2016 and how team looked so fresh and wondered what is missing here. I think the sad reality that our stars are all 4 years older. But then there's that missing element of that youthful infusion. You look at Marino and I keep thinking...we NEED. MORE. OF. THAT. Why did I hate the 3rd line? I hated Marleau and to an extent, Horny. McCann is just...there. I love the play of the 4th line. If we could take that energy and infuse it throughout the lineup, we'd be golden.
Good news, it's only 1 game. It's a best of 5. We are capable of winning 3 of 4 games against these guys. That said, a loss means a good shot at a good pick so...pick your poison.
