(a) an elongate body;

(b) a deck defined by the elongate body, wherein the deck includes an elongate side edge and is configured to clamp tissue against an anvil;

(c) a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck, wherein the staple openings are configured to house a plurality of staples;

(d) a plurality of stand-off members arranged on the deck and configured to engage tissue; and

(e) an elongate slot formed in the deck, wherein the elongate slot is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough along a longitudinal axis that extends distally,

wherein the deck includes a sloped deck portion that slopes away at a constant angle from the elongate slot to the elongate side edge along either side of an entire length of the elongate slot, wherein the sloped deck portion is configured to provide varied compression of tissue across a width of the deck, and

wherein the stand-off members are disposed on the sloped deck portion and collectively terminate distally at a stand-off plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the stand-off members vary in height relative to the sloped deck portion along the width of the deck.