I'm very happy with that lineup, and against Boston we will need either Stewart or Laraque on that fourth line, give Laraque the first shot since he's more experienced and played alright vs. Pittsburgh.
Really hope we see Sergei or Stewart on the fourth line instead of Laraque.
Unless Laraque plays its role. I hope he actually punches Chara or Lucic (without asking first) if they try to jump Komisarek again. I wouldn't play him for the whole series but having him on the ice for the first game could be a good thing.
When Bouillon is ready, he's in for Weber. When Markov is ready, he's in for Dandenault who then moves to the fourth line while Higgins takes D'Agostini's spot on the second line.
Alternate between Dandenault and Laraque or Dandenault and Bouillon. I don't mind playing S.Kost instead of D'Agostini either, but I'll wait and see what can D'Ago do in the first 2 games. Keep in mind that S.Kost played real well in last year's playoffs.
On paper we have a very good team, the players just have to play up to their potential.
Laraque is going to be useless on the road, Julien is going to be able to take advantage of his poor foot speed.
At home, I have no problem dressing Laraque. Gainey can use him when he wants and match him up where he wants, but I just don't like dressing Laraque on the road..
Unless Gainey is just going to use him 2-3 minutes, and double-shift all the wingers with Higgins & Metro.. but that's a horrible way to get the club tired in the first game of a potential 24-game Stanley Cup push.
Hopefully Sergei gets a chance, he was great in the playoffs last year.
Laraque ruins this line, need someone more defensive minded. Kostopoulos would be perfect if he wasn't already playing on the 3rd. Stewart would be ok (contradictory with my defensive comment, though), maybe even Pacioretty at an extent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by la25ecoupe
Can someone explain to me the HOME ICE ADVANTAGE thing? I'm not so sure what it's all about..
You get to play in your rink, in your city, in front of your fans.
Laraque is going to be useless on the road, Julien is going to be able to take advantage of his poor foot speed.
At home, I have no problem dressing Laraque. Gainey can use him when he wants and match him up where he wants, but I just don't like dressing Laraque on the road..
Unless Gainey is just going to use him 2-3 minutes, and double-shift all the wingers with Higgins & Metro.. but that's a horrible way to get the club tired in the first game of a potential 24-game Stanley Cup push.
Hopefully Sergei gets a chance, he was great in the playoffs last year.
I'd prefer Kostitsyn instead of D'Agostini. We don't have the luxury to insert a rookie on our top 2 lines. Kostitsyn has proven he can perform in the playoffs.
Laraque will play a good role if he calm down Chara and Lucic and if he control the pucks enough time to make the Bruins take some holding penalties on him, I'll be happy with his play.
Laraque ruins this line, need someone more defensive minded. Kostopoulos would be perfect if he wasn't already playing on the 3rd. Stewart would be ok (contradictory with my defensive comment, though), maybe even Pacioretty at an extent.
You get to play in your rink, in your city, in front of your fans.
Things just go right.
You also have more chances of winning Face-offs (not always true but..)
I think the home-ice center has to put his stick on the ice first or something?
Laraque ruins this line, need someone more defensive minded. Kostopoulos would be perfect if he wasn't already playing on the 3rd. Stewart would be ok (contradictory with my defensive comment, though), maybe even Pacioretty at an extent.
You get to play in your rink, in your city, in front of your fans.
Things just go right.
I hate to quote myself, but I think that line would be great with Dandenault. Shutdown their top line effectively.
Laraque will get limited minutes and Kovy will be double shifted, especially in the third.
However, if Julien doesn't want Lucic line on the ice when BGL is on, no problem, he can leave that line on the bench and he doesn't want Chara on the ice when BGL is on, again, no problem, bench the SOB.
Laraque ruins this line, need someone more defensive minded. Kostopoulos would be perfect if he wasn't already playing on the 3rd. Stewart would be ok (contradictory with my defensive comment, though), maybe even Pacioretty at an extent.
You get to play in your rink, in your city, in front of your fans.
Things just go right.
Also, you get last change. So every face-off you see what line the other team has on the ice and you can get the match-up you want.
