This team is going nowhere until they realize you can (and should) defend in the neutral zone too and giving the opposition D all the time in the world to pick a corner or make a pass is not the way to defend at this level. Or any level, really.
Yeah, this ties into my previous post-- even when this team wins, they look
bad. And not like the Gen X years when you knew they didn't have any talent at all, but in the frustrating Mike Johnston years way where they just seem like they do not care. It's hard to watch a team where one line plays well, the "top" line plays like shit all game, and the bottom 6 is so inconsequential that they barely see the ice. Add into that a decimated blueline that lacks any sort of physical presence when Petry and Rutta are out, and there's just not a lot there to watch and like. And it's not like this team can't turn it on, on occasion, but the fact of the matter is they haven't really been heating up since the beginning of the season and that's a huge red flag to me.
For those of you who like this team, what is the thing that you come away with after the game and say "man, I'm glad I saw that game!"? I'm honestly curious what people are finding to root for on this club besides the sweater (and arguably Sid/Geno hitting milestones, and Rakell) at this point.
Last but not least, it's not about winning for me. I could deal with a long losing streak by a team full of young hopefuls trying their damnedest and living the dream (but failing to win). I can deal with a team dropping games from injury. Just give me some exciting play and effort!