The only thing I dont like about benching Boyle is that it takes away our second best penalty killing forward against a team with a decent PP, while our PK has been absoultely dismal.
I don't think Boyle is a bad player, an AHL player, or trade fodder.
But right now, he is not playing as well as he needs to in order to be in this lineup.
We know Torts. He's going to put out the twelve forwards he thinks is going to give them the best chance to win. Miller came out and earned his second game. Halpern earned his spot. Kreider earned his spot. Cally is coming back, and is the 4th best forward on the team, so you know he's playing. Boyle hasn't looked engaged. Hopefully this wakes him up.
Honestly, I'm in shock at how this lineup looks. It looks GOOD. A lot depends on the play of a 19 year old in his 2nd NHL game, but if his first game is any indicator, it's a good thing.
I'm excited to see these 4 lines.
i agree boyle/stepan have been pretty bad this year. Stepan better up his game and stop fanning on wide open shots
Matt Gilroy and Stu Bickel as the third pair? God help us...
__________________
I feel like this is such an appropriate quote for these boards...
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience"-Mark Twain
Just posted this in the Around the NHL thread. I'm really not sure what to make of it.
“@StapeNewsday: Move is cap-related -- #Isles needed to be over the floor by tomorrow, needed insurance against not being cap compliant the entire season.”
“@StapeNewsday: Move is cap-related -- #Isles needed to be over the floor by tomorrow, needed insurance against not being cap compliant the entire season.”
Watch Thomas dress for the game, despite all odds, out of disdain for Lundqvist and his socialist home country and post a 57 save shutout.
New York Rangers @NYRangers
Henrik Lundqvist starts in goal vs. #Isles tonight with Ryan Callahan & Steve Eminger returning to lineup; Girardi, Boyle, Bickel scratched
