Maybe we just leave Jokipakka + Oleksiak on the bench for the 3rd
Maybe so - but about a dozen messages were incorrect in ASSUMING that the 3rd D-pairing was out there. Check the game tape near the end of the 2nd period - leading up to the Kings 3rd goal.
It was NOT the Big Rig. Instead, it was Mr. "High Hockey IQ" Goligoski who was paired with Jokipakka on that shift. And he made a pinch near the Stars penalty box that lead to the 2 on 1 - and ultimately the King's 3rd goal.
And to call it a pinch is generous. It is really instructive to go back and look at the tape (as long as you have a pot with you to vomit into). With the Kings rushing over their own defensive blue line - and with Goligoski in the neutral zone - closer to the Stars blue line - Goligoski mysteriously skates
forward - toward Clifford near the Stars penalty box - with ZERO chance of engaging him or even making any kind of play. His body language suggested
complete indecision. That's a bonehead play that your coach would rip you for if you were only playing in Bantams. This is not NHL-level decision making.
One other play made me ask "what in the world could he be thinking". During the 1st period, he was tempted to hold in a loose puck at the offensive blue line (in the middle of the ice) - but he opted to back up (a good choice) and a 3 on 2 resulted that led to the Kings carrying the puck past our bench (Klingberg's side). And as they crossed our blue line, Klingberg contained the play which involved 2 of the 3 Kings near the boards. But for some odd reason Goligoski slid way over to Klingberg's side and left his winger wide open. It's not like he was defending against the King's splitting the D. It was just Goligoski doing that stupid lateral skating he sometimes does unnecessarily and in the process, leaving his responsibility uncovered. We dodged a bullet that time - but it's still scary.
I realize that all of the players make bad choices - it's a fast game. But these 2 examples are signs of a much deeper problem.
Hopefully Lindy sees these shortcomings as well, and starts to decrease Goligoski's ice time accordingly.
As the Stars's military honoree that night I spent the evening in the tunnel prior to taking the ice for the National Anthem so I missed the ceremony. Always and forever my favorite player although I didn't get his autograph, but did manage to get Hull and Neuwendyk's on my sc era jersey.
