You don't sit the equivalent of an entire forward line and replace it with depth pieces with the expectation to continue competing for a playoff spot. It's March - players across the league are banged up and not at 100% after roughly 3/4 of the season. Teams still in the hunt ice their best roster based on talent first and foremost. You rest players when you've locked up a post-season berth and the Jets are nowhere near that happening any time soon.
The depth on this team drops off pretty noticeably after the top 6, especially where offensive prowess in concerned. The bottom six went roughly five weeks without registering a goal IIRC.
The Jets let one get away last night. They dominated the offensive zone ice-time but when they had to play defensive hockey, they struggled. That's got to change if they have any hope of keeping pace in the division - in a hurry.
Not sure if you remember the early part of this season, where we were plagued by injuries, and depth players stepped up.
As I said, playing at 75% isn't helping anything. And playing hurt means not getting better, and taking the chance of making things even worse.
I don't propose sitting down the entire top 6 at the same time, that's insane. Or even the Top 3. But guys that are struggling can usually benefit from a night in the press box. And guys that are hurt need to recover fully, not "just enough to play".
Playing hurt is not just bad for the player, but for his linemates. Timing is off, they overcompensate to cover, too many things change and none for the better.
I'd rather lose a game with every player running at 100% than lose it because certain players couldn't keep up.
