Panarin and Copp are visibly and noticably injured. my expectations for what they can do are really low right now.
KZV was f***ing horrid and a big part of it was Kreider. He looks exactly the same as he did the last 10 games and that's not a good thing. Vatrano tries but he needs to get fed the puck to be effective and that's not happening right now. Zibanejad had a really bad first half of the game but I think he came on the 2nd half of the 3rd period and in OT.
The problem is that the playoff virgins were actually quite good, it's the vets that were bad. Chytil was barreling in on the forecheck and hard on the puck. Laf destroyed a few people but I don't think he took enough control offensively. Kakko was doing some strong board work and puck protection but is still extremely gun shy. Fox played very well (I strongly disagree with the people saying he was just "ok"), KAM was our best skater, Shesterkin put up one of the best goaltending performances I've seen in a very long time. Lindgren was playing pretty well except for his horrible positioning on Guentzel's second goal. I even thought Schneider was fine, considering the circumstances. Trouba was horrendous and very lucky KAM bailed him out several times. TBH he looks hurt too.
I even thought Strome was good. Yeah he missed a total gimme from Fox because his hockey IQ sucks asshole but he was really strong otherwise, particularly noticeable with how hurt Panarin and Copp look.
I think Rooney has to sit. The 4th line were a Pittsburgh PP every time they stepped on the ice and he was the worst offender. Literally f***ing gave the puck to Malkin 2-3 times that game. Gallant purposely matching them up against Crosby and Malkin is a mistake that should not be made again.
I think they learned a few things from this game but if we're gonna get the same performance out of Kreider, Zibanejad, Trouba, and the 4th line we might as well just stay home.