Penguins 3, Devils 2: Rinse, repeat

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Five thoughts following New Jersey’s 15th loss over the last 18 games:

1. Feet in the sand

Lindy Ruff’s seat is surely getting warmer by the day. It has to be. I don’t think Tom Fitzgerald wants to make a change, however, he might well be forced into one.

Ruff and Fitzgerald both said prior to the season that the plan was to play meaningful hockey down the stretch. Well, thanks to this 3-15 run, we’re just over halfway through December and New Jersey’s playoff chances sit under 1%. Meaningful hockey, am I right?!?

One thing coaches tend to do when their seat is warm: rely on players they trust. If their job is on the line, they want to go out swinging with the guys they believe in. And I think that’s what we’re seeing from Ruff right now.

He has routinely put the big name players on the roster under the gun. Rightfully so, at times. But the hard working, low ceiling cast of characters – headlined by Mikey McLeod and Jimmy Vesey – are getting as much ice time as they can handle.

Alex Chauvancy @AlexC_THW

The 5-on-5 ice time tonight was just..... It's not like McLeod's line shutdown Crosby. Crosby had an xG% of 84.77 percent. His line just didn't score. The consequence? The Devils only generated 0.95 xG and 24 shot attempts at 5v5 b/c their top guys didn't play enough

McLeod is a good PKer and faceoff man. Vesey is a hard-nosed winger who has done his career wonders this season. But, at the end of the day, these are not players who are going to win the team games.

There is a reason the team’s offense dies when they’re out there. I mean, McLeod and Vesey combined for one (1) scoring chance in nearly 30 minutes of 5v5 ice. They might not make ‘the big mistake’ that often; but Ruff is doing more harm than good giving them that kind of usage.