I like our top 2 lines also, but there is no way we put our greatest offensive threat with Powe and Asham. I mean Powe has a high goals/assist ratio and Asham has done some amazing things with his hands in limited ice time, but that is just not fair to Carter. Carter and his line mates thrived with the Lupul-Carter-Hartnell line, they all seemed to be creative, willing to go to the net, and extremely talented.
JVR-Richards-Giroux
Gagne-Briere-Carcillo
Hartnell-Carter-Leino/Asham
Powe/Asham-Betts-Lapperiere
I really do like Asham and think he is valuable to this team, but I think Powe and Leino dress because Powe can play Center and put in solid PK if Richards gets a penalty and Leino can play with Gagne-Briere if Carcillo doesn't work out.
Honestly, if Carter truly is good to go and can handle 20+min (at least as a winger), I would like to see us stack the Top 6, nobody can match up against this with the 4th line as the primary shut-down line:
JVR-Richards-Carter
Gagne-Briere-Giroux
Hartnell-Powe-Asham/Leino
Carcillo-Betts-Lapperiere
However, the playoffs is about making your team as deep as possible and getting major contributions from your role-players in addition to the Stars. Hopefully Hartnell wakes up and plays to his ability. I have a feeling Leino will have a big playoffs if put on the wing with Carter or Briere.
On second thought...Carter-Powe-Asham/Leino could be incredible for Carter and the entire team because an opponent would either waste their top pairing icetime on this line, giving our top two lines more room against a more fatigued shutdown pairing, or let Carter go to work against their 5/6 or at best 3/5 pairing if 3 can double shift once Carter proves he can beat them.
Honestly, if Carter truly is good to go and can handle 20+min (at least as a winger), I would like to see us stack the Top 6, nobody can match up against this with the 4th line as the primary shut-down line:
JVR-Richards-Carter
Gagne-Briere-Giroux
Hartnell-Powe-Asham/Leino
Carcillo-Betts-Laperriere
I actually like that lineup. I think Carter helps alleviate a lot of the offensive pressure that's placed on Richards in terms of production and Carter on the wing allows Mike a bit of freedom to not have to carry the puck all the time. The other good thing is that if Richards gets waived out of a faceoff, Carter can go in and they don't miss a beat.
The French Connection line also works for me. That should have been one line that Stevens/Laviolette should have used this year. I also think Claude benefits in that he'll finally learn what his role is with the team. They keep him on the wing and Giroux and Gagne are fast enough to cover up on defense for Briere.
My only issue with the third line is Hartnell. His penchant for stupid penalties and selfish play should make him a press box regular. I'd rather go with Asham - Powe - Leino on the third. At least there's discipline to go there.
Finally, the fourth line has been a fixture most of the year. No sense in changing that up now.
There we go with throwing Carcillo in the top 9 again....sigh... Kind of would like to see Asham there... oh well... atleast the JVR-Richards-Giroux line isnt changed.
There we go with throwing Carcillo in the top 9 again....sigh... Kind of would like to see Asham there... oh well... atleast the JVR-Richards-Giroux line isnt changed.
Carcillo is better than Asham. Asham was invisible for weeks before his goal the other day
Carcillo is better than Asham. Asham was invisible for weeks before his goal the other day
There's nothing wrong with Carcillo on our 3rd line. Unless it weakens the Betts-Lappi combo on our 4th. I've noticed decent improvement in AA's game lately.
According to Timmy P, Carter is a game time decision for tomorrow. He practiced 40 minutes today. Also, Leino is apparently out to make room for more physical players. Dislike that completely.
According to Timmy P, Carter is a game time decision for tomorrow. He practiced 40 minutes today. Also, Leino is apparently out to make room for more physical players. Dislike that completely.
Considering last time we did that against Toronto, we lost 4-0. Lavy better not do that...
According to Timmy P, Carter is a game time decision for tomorrow. He practiced 40 minutes today. Also, Leino is apparently out to make room for more physical players. Dislike that completely.
I really hope he is wrong! That would be a horrible move! Leino is actually pretty good along the boards...and he has the skill to go with it. Every time he is out there we spend the entire shift in the opposing zone!
I really hope he is wrong! That would be a horrible move! Leino is actually pretty good along the boards...and he has the skill to go with it. Every time he is out there we spend the entire shift in the opposing zone!
I find that he wears the 22 proudly. Does a great job in front of the goalie and along the boards.
Are they really worried about the Rangers dressing Prust and Shelley this weekend? LOL.
I think we have the players who can handle them if the time is right without dressing Cote if thats what they intend to do.
No need to play right into their hands. Play the way they did against the Leafs. Leafs tried to goon it up and play dirty, and aside from the Hartnell penalty near the end they stuck to business on the discipline side.
If Cote plays it will take about 3 minutes before Shelley or Prust knock him the **** out.
Are they really worried about the Rangers dressing Prust and Shelley this weekend? LOL.
I think we have the players who can handle them if the time is right without dressing Cote if thats what they intend to do.
No need to play right into their hands. Play the way they did against the Leafs. Leafs tried to goon it up and play dirty, and aside from the Hartnell penalty near the end they stuck to business on the discipline side.
If Cote plays it will take about 3 minutes before Shelley or Prust knock him the **** out.
Yup, I would rather Asham get beat up and contribute in other ways than Cote getting his butt kicked and doing absolutely nothing else...
I think Shafer should comment on this one since he is the #22 guru.
I am in agreement though.
Hockey and lacrosse I wore 22. They wouldn't give it to me for football, but yes, anyone who wears 22 automatically gets my respect whether or not they have earned it.
In this case, Leino has earned it. He's done everything we've asked him to do and more. He needs to be in the lineup, physical play or not.
