I'm really tired of all the "firsts" this team has allowed, given etc. for so many years now and last night they came in three's. Dahin's first NHL goal, Skinner's first points of the season, and lastly Ullmark's first NHL shutout, three in one game and it's about as predictable as that feeling you get that our opponent is going to score within the last minute of a period.
Last nights performance was the worst of the season and it was not from a lack of effort (for the most part), it's because of stupid effort. As an example there is not much reason to hate on Demers for the first goal, as both defenders were attempting to make a blueline stand. Demers got beat by an offensively skilled player in Skinner and then Richardson was outplayed by an eighteen year old on the rebound. point is that there is plenty of **** that can happen and we will see **** happen with the more aggressive style of play.
We did have secondary scoring chances around the net and could not capitalize, at some point we will. It is however extremely frustrating to see points in the game where the hockey gods are affording us puck luck and we can't honor them with success. It's all difficult to watch as this is one of the best teams we've had in years, but sans any highly effective game planning night in and night out, I don't know that this team is built well enough to compete in this league yet. Say what you want, but we don't really know what we have until Dvo and Chucky are back and that's the way it goes for a cash strapped franchise.