Ottawa constantly broke up the Heatley-Spezza-Alfredsson line to get offense from other people and give a tougher matchup situation to the opposing coach. Right now, Spezza and Alfredsson mostly play on different lines (Michalek-Spezza, Turris-Alfredsson).
There's just no point in keeping one line together when you're constantly losing and one of the reasons is lack of secondary scoring. Try to get other people more involved.
More importantly (in general, mind you), use guys that ARE getting involved to get more out of players that aren't. Sticking together groups of three guys who are struggling and asking them to figure it out on their own doesn't seem to make as much sense as using a guy (or guys) who has (have) it going to spark them instead; especially if nothing's "on the line", as is currently the case.
I'd still like to see the reins taken off Eller a bit. I'm ready to see exactly what this guy can do, and he seems to be on the verge of convincing me that he's worth what it cost to acquire him. Hard to really tell when he's playing with the leftovers, and obviously being asked to play a more simple and safe game than perhaps his skills are capable of. I'd give him Max and Leblanc for wingers, just for ***** and giggles. Rounding out the party time fun time excellent:
Gomez-Plekanec-Cole (I know right! Me... putting Gomez on a pseudo-"first line")
[MaxPac-Eller-Leblanc]
Moen-DD-White
Geoffrion-Nokes-Staubitz
Notice there's no Rene Bourque. Yeah, I think he has been the worst Hab on the ice - start to finish - of almost every game since he joined the team. Oh, some players have had more glaring individual lapses and/or ended up the wrong person on the poster (if you catch my drift), but that guy wins the prize for being the most consistently useless player. Sit him in the pressbox for as long as you're willing to play Geoffrion, I say.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zzoo
Bourque is our new whipping boy !
Oh boy, how long we should stick with that guy ?
"New" whipping boy? You're only new to the bandwagon if you really knew nothing about him before January of this year. Plenty of us have already had "20 goal scorer" tossed in our face for months now trying to warn you guys not to get excited about him, lol.
A bit much. I expected a game. I guess you can't go headhunting after getting highsticked unintentionally.
Personally, I'm happy that the NHL seems to be punishing the action itself regardless of the outcome. Though, i wouldn't have anything against giving extra game(s) if the player leaves on a stretcher and his season/career is compromised.
Gomez-Plekanec-Cole (I know right! Me... putting Gomez on a pseudo-"first line")
[MaxPac-Eller-Leblanc] Moen-DD-White Geoffrion-Nokes-Staubitz
Having DD with Moen and White is probably the best way to tank games. Bright idea, I'm sure the league would sanction the Habs if they did this however, especially with Gomez on the first line as well.
I understand the Habs don't have a lot of skilled wingers to choose from but thats an horrible lineup.
Wow really? I guess they see intent and compared it to the Lucic board. This is bad news for the tank.
Myers won't be there for the Sabres game vs Tampa, so that gives Tampa a slightly bigger chance at winning that game. But he's back just in time for the Habs game, so that's good.
Sabres have 9 points on us in case you didnt notice...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pine
Myers won't be there for the Sabres game vs Tampa, so that gives Tampa a slightly bigger chance at winning that game. But he's back just in time for the Habs game, so that's good.
I thought we faced them sooner. Turns out he'll be back in time to face us.
Having DD with Moen and White is probably the best way to tank games. Bright idea, I'm sure the league would sanction the Habs if they did this however, especially with Gomez on the first line as well.
I understand the Habs don't have a lot of skilled wingers to choose from but thats an horrible lineup.
Well, aside from playing Geoffrion instead of Bourque, those are the guys we're using now. If there's no harm in mixing it up to see what happens (look for "jump starts"), might as well go whole hog. These aren't my actually suggestions for what the lines should be, lol, so I suppose one could substitute Bourque for Gomez if they prefer, and I wouldn't care either way, really.
I'm surprised he got anything. I still can't believe he didn't get a game misconduct at the time. It was a classic blindside, hit from behind. If Myers had gotten the misconduct he probably would've gotten a lesser suspension because he would've technically missed a game already.
I'm glad that the NHL did this because not only is it a message to the player, but to the refs. The message from the NHL to the refs is pretty clear: This hit is suspension worthy. You made the wrong call.
The refs have been especially bad as late. They are letting everything go. The Vancouver game was ridiculous & so was the Buffalo game.
The only two games I want Habs's opponents to win (and not Habs to loose) are the games involving the Sens . I want them to finish ahead of the Bruins !!!!!!
These aren't my actually suggestions for what the lines should be, lol, so I suppose one could substitute Bourque for Gomez if they prefer, and I wouldn't care either way, really.
