We finished with the worst record last year. This year, we had up six rookies and four them are new to the pros in C Carlsson, LD/RD LaCombe, LD Mintyukov, and RD Luneau. Carlsson is being used as a part-time 1C and Luneau gets onto the ice when Verbeek says so. We're already behind the 8-ball before the injuries started.
There are three big flaws early this season: starting slow, ES scoring, and being penalty happy.
There are several positive things early this season: improved PK, improved PP, and improved overall defense.
Our offensive drop off started around game 16, where the Avs were listening to Devo's "Whip it". It's like our ES psyche broke. Since game 16, we scored three or more goals in 13 games just four times. Vatrano and Strome have cooled down quickly after going supernova to start the season. We need to see more out of Cronin to help out our lackluster ES offense.
With the losses piling up, sure, I'm disappointed in the loss. I'm still watching because we're watching our future developing right before our eyes in Carlsson, Minty, and LaCombe. The older futures are out with injuries in Lundy, Drysdaley, Z, and Mac.
In our last six games, five of them are 1-goal differentials. We have won only one of them, via shootout. We're not being blown out 2-8, which is a significant improvement.