Brutal…
It’s hard to explain what’s going on with this team because it’s down right weird. They should be winning, but aren’t.
I mean, what can we say about last night that hasn’t been said over-and-over throughout this season?
I feel for Luongo. He’s put together some solid work during this awful stretch and he can’t get rewarded. Most nights he looks like he’s frustrated and in disbelief – I can’t blame him.
Listen, there’s obviously a reason Boston is having the year they are – they’re just plain good. Arguably the hottest team in the league right now. The talent is there and they execute. They work hard and their ability to cycle the puck and setup in the offensive zone, while spend long periods of time there, is really impressive.
But that’s beside the point…
The Panthers (like a number of the past games) had a legitimate chance to win last night and didn’t.
That Feeling
This team has a self-destructive tendency to blow the game (mostly in the third) that it’s manifested itself into a feeling of impending doom when watching.
As a fan, you have no confidence this team will close the game out. The repeated pattern of blowing leads, and ultimately the game, is so strong that no lead or amount of good play feels like it’s enough to get into the win column. The confidence from a fan perspective in this team feels pretty shot.
Something should have been done a while ago to shake things up. The old “shot in the arm… is sorely overdue.
Alas, with the season all but done for the Cats, why not mix things up at this point? Put Monty, Stillman and some of the other young guys in.
Some fans argue that Monty isn’t ready. I disagree a bit. With Reimer back to skating, he’ll probably rejoin the team shortly – sending Monty back to the A anyways. With that in mind, the fact that Lu probably needs a break (for his own sanity) and a season quickly going into the dumps; it could be a great “no pressure… situation for a young goalie to grab a few games.
I don’t really subscribe to the belief that putting him in now will somehow “ruin him… like a lot of folks think. Sure, in an ideal world, he’d marinate in the AHL until he was ready to come up and be lights out. That’s what every fan wants for their prospects, but the world of pro sports isn’t perfect like that. There’s injuries, trades, etc., that sometimes delay or rush opportunities. Some guys seize them, others don’t.
Personally, I’d like to see what Monty has with a couple games under his belt. I thought he showed great poise in his debut—after going down 2-0 quickly in the first. You know he’s going back down once Reimer is back, so throw the guy a bone and see where he’s at in his development.
Since we’re looking for some positives in this recent stretch of mostly negatives…
I really hope the Panthers resign Sheahan. He’s probably my favorite player. It’s easy to point to guys like Barkov, Hoffman, etc. as favorites, but I’m just so impressed with Sheahan’s compete and hard work. He’s the kind of player I’ve always gravitated toward and one of those guys that you don’t hear his name being called out often and that’s okay. He puts the hard hat on every night and goes to work. His lines are strong every game – often winning board battles and going into corners and coming out with the puck and generating offensive opportunities. He knows his role and executes it well. Great pick up at the deadline and nice little bright spot in these darker times.
The Cats faceoff against the Minnesota Wild tonight and I think a good game plan for these guys to have going forward is one of relaxation – just keep things loose.
It sounds goofy, especially when looking at the recent play, but I think these guys have gotten to a place where they might be so uptight and nervous to make mistakes, that they’re actually making more mistakes and playing poorly.
Mistakes/blunders are going to happen – it’s part of the game. But when you start overthinking, you get stiff and you aren’t playing loose and having fun like you normally would. The game doesn’t come to you. You’re no longer reacting. You’re trying to do too much and that’s when you’re toast.
We saw it happen in the last minute when Boston tied it up, took the lead and eventually the win. Guys in Florida sweaters were just scrambling around in full-blown panic mode. There was no confidence if knowing they could do their job and hold off the Bruins attack.
Keep it simple and keep it loose.
Go Cats.