They've played well during the last 3 games, probably the best 3 consecutive 60 minute efforts in awhile. I don't see why he'd make major changes unless he's been waiting for an excuse to. I was at last night's game, 1st in a long time, and I thought GL was having difficulty keeping up, or reading his linemates. Then, he makes a few plays and goes home happy. So, he has rookie games where he's feeling his way, but he's good enough to find a way to contribute.
So, if Higgins reclaims the spot he left, which is only fair, letting Koivu help get him back to speed, I have no problem with Lats being with the begin's, Streit's or whoever. I think at some point that Latendresse and Plekanec could make an interesting duo, but I think Carbo will leave the 2nd line alone, at least to see if they build on last night.
I think Lats has enough confidence now that he may do pretty well on a fourth line and cause things to happen himself. Kovy and Samsonov need to be tried seperately. Pleks has been playing well and seems to have good chemistry with Kovy.
the only downfall with this lineup is that we split up Higgins-Saku-Ryder which was so good early...
My reasoning is that Kovy needs to get going, and Koivu is the best option. I wouldn't want to split Higgins and Koivu up because they work well together.
Ryder has been in a slump, and in the past, he has proven that he can score without Koivu, so I would send him down to the 2nd line. Sammy has been playing good lately and is starting to show signs of clicking with Pleks. I believe that Sammy and Pleks could really work well with Ryder because they are quick and good passers. Ryder is the pure goal score that those two need since their finishing abilities arn't their strong suits.
The third line stays the same for obvious reasons.
The 4th line has the potential to actually generate some offense. I like Lats, and I think would do good with Streit. Streits offensive abilities (especially his playmaking abilities) are underrated. Begin and Lats could do serious physical punishment on the opposing teams as well. The Habs would lack a true fighter, but Begin, Souray, Komo can fill those roles if absolutely needed (can Lats fight?).
This lineup IMO is the strongest lineup that the Habs could make offensively. It keeps the players who work well together on the same lines (Koivu-Higgins, Sammy-Pleks, and the 3rd line), while juggling the slumping players around (Ryder and Kovy). The defensive aspects are also kept (the second line might be a bit weak, but I feel Pleks can manage it). Unfortunately Lats gets sent down to the 4th line, but thats what happens when you have too many good wingers.
i would absolutely love to see a lats-lapierre-begin line that would be unreal, the opponents would be shaking in thier boots. but realistically i dont think that would happen so i think a lats-begin-striet line would do very well also.
Higgins is back possibly Thursday or at the latest Saturday. He'll likely play on the 4th to get his game legs back but that won't last long. Once he's ready, he for sure won't be centring the 2nd line. He is a wasted asset there.
Tell me more about it. I never saw Higgins centering a line in the NHL and thus don't know if he would be wasting his talent there... do you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by zurg999
In any event, Lats is going somewhere else in the lineup. I don't have any objections to this. He's filled in the position admirably, but there's no way he beats out anyone in the top 6 for a spot (Koivu, Kovy, Higgins, Ryder, Sammy, Plekanec).
I guess Carbonneau will try to equilibrate the talent on his lines. The team may respond better by having Plekanec centering the fourth line, Higgins the second one and Latendresse playing with Koivu and Ryder. Time will tell, but if Higgins can help Samsonov and Kovalev, everyone is winning there. Buffalo isn't no.1 in the East because they put all their talent on one line.
Tell me more about it. I never saw Higgins centering a line in the NHL and thus don't know if he would be wasting his talent there... do you?
It's probably not that Higgins mighn't make a 'OK' centre; he's probably got the hockey smarts to play any position and not embareass himself. Winger probably suits his strengths the best.
Most would agree that his game lends itself more to being the guy in deep on the opposition boards rather than first guy back on the backcheck. Or the guy receiving the nice passes instead of making them. And that's probably why the Habs ended up converted him from centre when he joined the organization.
It's probably not that Higgins mighn't make a 'OK' centre; he's probably got the hockey smarts to play any position and not embareass himself. Winger probably suits his strengths the best.
Most would agree that his game lends itself more to being the guy in deep on the opposition boards rather than first guy back on the backcheck. Or the guy receiving the nice passes instead of making them. And that's probably why the Habs ended up converted him from centre when he joined the organization.
And that may be the main reason why he can play with kovalev since he love to wait with the puck for the open man...
As for the backcheck..Higgins and speedy Samsonov can backcheck when necessary...
But i'm saying that only for discussion purpose because i still think that Higgins is an excellent winger...and i think (might be wrong) that he might only be a good center....and that's why i say use him where he is at his best.
I think the second line is playing slightly better these last few games and I don't like the idea of splitting up the first line who deserves to stay together in my opinion. I know we are dealing with two different sports but I still remember when the Expos almost destroyed Michael Barrett's careeer by moving him around. Higgins is a fantastic player who has a great future, but les remember its his second year in the NHL and even veterans don't usually get moved around too much. As for Maxime Lapierre, I really believe he has what it takes to make it as a solid NHL player and I think that next year, he should be given Radek Bonk's spot. He will be ready and a lot cheaper which is crucial in todays NHL.
Lats will go back to the fourth line and will fill for Samsonov and Kovalev when Carbo feel like benching them.
In my opinion...
We'll see, but I doubt. I heard Latendresse didn't play well yesterday... if he keep it that way, then he might see some time on the fourth line (just because his name isn't Samsonov or Kovalev), but currently, he is more usefull on a scoring line than on a 4th line. I would say the same if Kostitsyn was playing on Latendresse's spot with the same success. Worts scenario maybe: since Latendresse in fact is used to play RW and not LW, this scenario might be attempted:
Higgins-Koivu-Latendresse
Samsonov-Kovalev-Ryder
... but I doubt it will. Anyway, the lines will be assembled in a way reflecting each player performances.
I think this will first be tried:
Latendresse-Koivu-Ryder
Samsonov-Higgins-Kovalev
I'm not sure if I like it, but I expect to see the following....
Higgins - Koivu - Ryder
Samsonov - Plekanec - Kovalev
Perezhogin - Bonk - Johnson
Latendresse - Lapierre - Begin
with the 7 D-man coming to an end. Poor Streit. Carbo does stuff VERY slowly and will usually do whatever he can to keep lines from changing.
Given the performance of the 2nd trio last night, as well as the solid play from line 4, this seems the most likely scenario.
REMEMBER, the 2nd and 4th lines were/(are?) the trouble spots on the team. With Samsonov finally skating to the net line 2 got a lot better. With Lapierre instead of Murray/Downey, line 4 looked decent most of the night. In other
Latendresse earned a spot on the team, and definitely deserves his roster spot, but I doubt Carbo ever had plans to keep him in the top 6 past Higgins' return.
Begin is not a centre, and that top line was a killer with Higgins on it.... why break it up ????
Latendresse is just going to have to earn his top-6 away from a veteran, size or no size. He's a decent player who will end the year as a good player. By this time next year I'll be surprised if he's not up there, but it's back to line 4 for him in all likelyhood, at least for a while. If they keep it as above I expect it to surprise a lot of other 4th lines.
According to an article on Cyberpresse, Lats is expecting Higgins to go back with Koivu and Ryder on the 1st line. Also he says he doesn't mind 4th line duty. He'll do whatever he can for the team.
I also love how his goal for the season was to beat Thornton's point total on his rookie year in Boston (which he as already) ! Way to motivate yourself with the good ol' bruins/habs rivalry.
Don't know if I agree, although it's a good problem to have.
Plekanec almost singlhandedly won that game for us last night. Not only the strip on Chara, but also created the interfernce that led to Sammys rebound goal.
According to an article on Cyberpresse, Lats is expecting Higgins to go back with Koivu and Ryder on the 1st line. Also he says he doesn't mind 4th line duty. He'll do whatever he can for the team.
I also love how his goal for the season was to beat Thornton's point total on his rookie year in Boston (which he as already) ! Way to motivate yourself with the good ol' bruins/habs rivalry.
Tell me more about it. I never saw Higgins centering a line in the NHL and thus don't know if he would be wasting his talent there... do you?
I guess Carbonneau will try to equilibrate the talent on his lines. The team may respond better by having Plekanec centering the fourth line, Higgins the second one and Latendresse playing with Koivu and Ryder. Time will tell, but if Higgins can help Samsonov and Kovalev, everyone is winning there. Buffalo isn't no.1 in the East because they put all their talent on one line.
Exactly. Exactement .
Do it for the TEAM. It's not about ONE good offensive line, it's about having TWO good offensive lines. Spread the wealth. We have more than enough forwards.
Our two best (consistent) forwards are Koivu and Higgins.
They're both more than good enough (talent, leadership, etc) to help an entire line each.
So, at least try and separate Higgins and Koivu (for the benefit of the team). If Higgins can't survive without Koivu, then I was wrong about Higgins (& I'm a huuuuge fan of Higgins...I know he can make another line work well).
If Higgins doesn't play with Koivu and then pouts, I will be very disappointed/shocked...
We have 50+ games left!! (there's plenty of time to try Higgins as Center or Left Winger on a line without Koivu!).
I would be shocked if they tried to move a winger to centre. The only way Latendresse would stay on the top 2 lines is if somehow Samsanov was demoted to the 4th line IMO and I doubt that happening.
Latendresse - Koivu - Kovalev
Samsonov - Higgins - Ryder
Perezhogin - Bonk - Johnson
Lapierre - Plekanec - Begin
Why? Latendresse has outscored Plekanec since playing on the top 2 lines, therefore it's reasonable for Plekanec to be demoted. Do I think Higgins will work as a center, probably not... Do I wish Samsonov wasn't on the team...Ideally yes, why?
Latendresse - Koivu - Ryder/Kovalev
Higgins - Plekanec - Kovalev/Ryder (imo Higgins and Pleks are better together than Higgins and Koivu)
Perez - Bonk - Johnson
Murray - Lapierre - Begin
We look like a much better team (chemistry wize) without Samsonov.
I Like this configuration alot more then Sammy and Kovy on the same line. Just inject Lapierre in the 4th line mix and the Habs will rock!! 
