Sabres Trample Pulseless Penguins, 7-3

Once again, my schedule’s such that I won’t be able to do my customary game recap. Not that anyone’s hungering to read about the latest atrocity inflicted on our Penguins, this one by the Sabres. Aided and abetted by self-immolation aplenty, especially by a defensive corps that appears to have no clue how to play defense.

That includes guys like Kris Letang and Matt Grzelcyk (minus-3 each) who’ve been in the league a long time.

The way we consistently yielded the prime scoring areas between the circles, you’d almost think we were instructed to do so.

Maybe I’m barking up the proverbial wrong tree (and maybe not), but I can’t help but wonder how much of this is due to Mike Sullivan’s system. As I understand it, Sully gives his players plenty of options to read the play and react accordingly.

Works out fine for a superstar like Sidney Crosby, who thinks the game as well if not better than anyone who’s ever laced on a pair of skates. But for your run-of-the-mill players, and especially the defensemen? Perhaps it’s too much freedom to the point of being overwhelming.

Sully wants me to activate. Should I pinch or not pinch? I’ll go for it. Crap, my partner just made the same read! There goes a 2-on-0 the other way!!!

Of course, this is all pure conjecture on my part. But I can’t help but think that a lot of our players, especially our defensemen, desperately need more structure than they’re given. Some guys are better, and more comfortable, when they’re told where they’re supposed to be and what they’re supposed to do. Removes the pressure and guesswork from the proceedings.

Case in point, I was discussing Ryan Graves with a fellow fan today. Something along the lines of “How could a guy who’s had more than his share of success in the NHL play so poorly?” To my eye, he almost never makes the right play or read.

Fellow fan (whose name escapes me at the moment) replied that when Graves is allowed to concentrate on defense, he’s better. It’s when he tries to force the offense (which seems to be a staple of Sully’s system) that he gets out-of-sorts.

One thing is certain. We’re either going to have to get a brand-new batch of defensemen or change our approach (or both).

What’s going on can’t be allowed to continue.

No team relentlessly exposes its goalies the way we do. It’s a wonder any of them have their sanity intact.

Puckpourri

For those who care about such things or wanted to read a real game summary, Crosby, Blake Lizotte and Kevin Hayes were our goal scorers.

With his goal (and 80^th point), Sid cinched his record-breaking 20^th straight season of point-per-game production.

CONGRATULATIONS SUPER SID!!!

Is it any great surprise that Sully scratched Boko Imama following his admittedly ill-conceived and undisciplined attempt at retribution Tuesday night against the Bolts?

I’m sure Boko knows he screwed up. And, by all means, give him a talking to.

But benching him? He’s one of the few guys that bleed black-and-gold, one who would skate through the end boards if it meant helping the team. So glad we dressed Joona Koppanen and especially Emil Bemström (one assist in a dozen games) instead. Where would we be without those guys?

Hey, Connor Dewar plays with some scrap and fire. Even got into a fight tonight (gasp) and won it. Maybe it isn’t too late to sit him and call up Matt Nieto.

Yeah, I’m more than a little frustrated with Sully and his choices. Like running Tristan Jarry out there again after he got shelled by the Lightning, rather than giving Alex Nedeljkovic, who did an admirable job in relief, the nod.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’d gladly swap rosters with the Sabres. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin, J.J. Peterka, Ryan McLeod, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, to name a few.

Count me among those who are baffled by their inability to turn the corner.