Went to the game last night. It's the 1st time I've seen us play for 11 weeks for obvious reasons. It's was like watching a different team. Almost everything that we were good / decent at in the early part of the season we have stopped doing.
Jeff Brown was the only player hitting the opposition. (It's a good job he was because on the puck he was awful, at least he was trying though).
There didn't seem to be a plan of how to play. Decision making was poor and lazy all over the ice. So many "passes" either to nobody or half a yard to far behind or too far in front of people.
Lightning gained our zone all too easily. The D hardly threw a hit all night. What has happened to Sauve, Billingsley, Brisebois and Gagnon??? People were talking about Gagnon being better than Lepine!!!! Do me a favour...
As for the forwards. I hope Shalla is playing injured because if he isn't he has downed tools and mentally checked out. Horrendous on the puck when he did get it. Effort level was so low he might as well not have bothered getting the gear on and off.
The lines didn't seem to have any thought behind them. What is Lindhagen, Clarke and Derlago supposed to be? Who's going to set up Derlago on that line?
The lines kept changing again, during periods never mind the game. All over the place.
Farmer was appealing last night. Has he been like this for weeks? Couldn't retain possession, didn't hit anything, didn't wind anyone up.
Phillips was trying hard but tries to walk it in and needs to be with Derlago all the time IMO.
The bench, looked painted on.
Honestly couldn't beilive my eyes. My last game was the penalty shot win in Sheffield. We weren't perfect but we were passing the puck to each other, had a plan, hit the opposition, defending our blue line. Settled lines looked dangerous.
Sorry for the essay but I really can't believe how dramatically the quality of our play and effort levels have deteriorated.