...

You know who else looked horrible, and I hate to say this, but Dahlin was not sharp at all. Add Samson. Samson was nearly ghastly. I'm this -> <- close to starting the Trade-Samson-While-He-Still-Has-Perceived-Value train again. Eichel needs to be stripped of the C. Leading this team is clearly above his ability. He needs to be left alone to be Eichel and nothing else.

You're right on both points.

Pilut looked okay tonight. I had no issue with his game. FWIW.

Okay, I guess I can see where you're coming from. I still wouldn't call it "identity", but I do indeed get what you're trying to convey by using that word, and I don't disagree with that.

Dude, Hutton looked horrible. Like something happened at home and he couldn't shake it.

No, not me. They looked leaderless out there. They had no direction...or director. No one was seizing control of the group and getting them to snap into shape. If Risto wanted to do that, I think he could. Definitely has that presence. ERod and Risto were the only two...ONLY TWO...players out there who looked like they didn't need to be led.

As much as I like Phil's system, I have to say if he can't be a general to these men and lead...like a solid alpha male (love that)...then he'll get nothing accomplished with this team.

I think this absolutely correct. They need an alpha male. Perfect terminology for what they need. Disagree. They were able to muster up enough focus and discipline then to get them through. Just enough. Now, they can't do that. It wasn't bounces, it was being engaged.

It was very clear to me at the game that these guys were not mentally sharp...at all. I actually think that the roster as it is has enough talent to make it into the playoffs. Just by seeing the few moments where they were focused in the offensive zone. However nearly every one of them was a space cadet. You could have easily added 10 more shots to the shot tally if they would have taken advantage of their position and motion in the offensive zone and just shot it instead of attempting a pass. Unbelievable, really. This team could actually be really good as is. We've seen that. As this season has wore on something has taken away the focus they had around the period of the 10 game streak.

Wow, they won the crowd back, for now, at least.

The perfect donut?

On a positive note, the 4G signal in the building is vastly improved. Vastly.

Hutton's should not play the third if they want to win.

So, from my vantage point up here in the 300's, Risto is the closest thing to a natural leader out there. And Erod is the hardest worker.

There is no leadership out there.

These guys are not mentally engaged at all. Hutton's mind is on another planet.

They've been pretty dominate. The lack of shots (despite what the shot count says) and some truly lazy plays is the difference.

Totally Samson's fault.

It's on obvious here up in the 300's the wasted shot opportunities.

Sheary is as much a disappointment live as he is on TV.

Yeah, but, I'm not beyond begging for one.

Uhm. Does this mean Sheary-like, or strictly Sheary-level? Because...

If they're inviting SS'ers up to a suite, PM me with the location. Love the chicken fingers.

Patrick Kane can still play, so, at the very least he adds to the entertainment value of tonight's game.

That has to be one of my top 5 GIFs.