Brad Richards Is Soft

Watch below as the 6' 0" 201 pound Kris Letang knocks over the 6' 0" 192 pound Brad Richards like a kid on the playground, then storms into the zone to fire a perfect ice-level shot that ended up in the net courtesy Pascal Dupuis.  Richards was invisible today for the Stars, even when they jumped out to 3-1 lead.  The play below typifies the level of effort that Richards has given the Stars since the Olympic break.

Speaking of soft, for a collection of greasy agitators, the Stars let the Pens drive the net at will and a few Pens were able purchase office space in the crease and slot which makes Marc Crawford's decision to scratch Mark Fistric even more confusing.  Fistric is a big, physical defenseman that has thrived against lower-level competition for the Stars this year.  His physical presence would have been welcomed in a game where the Stars had nothing for it.  Perhaps the Stars should have dealt for Sheldon Souray when they had the opportunity?