There were a multitude of boneheaded defensive breakdowns last night. I keep seeing this narrative on social media that this is somehow on the goalie. But this was not on the goalie.
First GA was a Toews to DeBrincat 2-on-none cross-ice pass where 3 Canes jerseys were in some kind of umbrella coverage way behind the play. Darling has both goalposts covered tracking the pass. Yeah, 5-hole is open.
Second GA is right down the slot from between the circles in a deft touch pass from Kane as every Cane is braced to take his shot from the right circle. Lot of that 24 SF goal open from that position on the ice. Darling was spread, covering a lot. But DeBrincat again picks one of the many classic goalie holes available when allowed to shoot unimpeded from the slot.
Third GA was from the point with no Canes jersey within 20 feet as everyone had drifted over to the other side. Meanwhile Darling is behind Toews and Panik standing shoulder to shoulder with Slavin out in front of them in bowling pin formation. Darling's completely screened, trying to peek around as puck somehow pinballs through everyone's skates (maybe since all aligned toward the shot) and right between the goalie's wickets as his feet are spread poised to move either way.
OT goal yet another complete breakdown, but I gave up when Quenville started aggressively with Toews, Kane, and Keith and Peters countered with a defensive-first possession lineup of Staal, Lindholm, and Slavin. Just delaying the inevitable.
But, hey, core of a Stanley Cup championship team put one on us late in a back-to-back. Good on them. We need some of that killer instinct. As it is 3 out of 4 points for the pair ain't bad.
We're about 2 points off pace at the 15-game mark. But 16 points after 15 games (6-5-4) is not bad considering 8 were on the road. Pretty respectable road record at 4-3-1. It's that 2-2-3 home record that needs work.