These lines offer the perfect mix of chemistry, speed, size and goal scoring.
looks like a winning combination! we became a better team with the seperation of kovy@ samsonov(2 PLAYMAKERS DON'T BELONG ON THE SAME LINE). now let's tweak just a little more. i like your suggestion.
Ruutu's definitely a spot picker but given little choice he'll fight... i think he's been in around 20 fights career wise, I definitely remember him taking on Rivet, back when Rivet cared. I think that'd be a closer tilt then we think. I love garth's fighting style, there isn't much defense involved, that lends itself to a close but eventful fight with whoever... but i really wish he'd be more physical, in the ahl and even as a ranger he was a much more physical player... i'd guess he's worried about his defensive repsonsiblities too much... he's there to finish checks.
The team as a whole is in a prolonged slump. But when we single out players who haven't produced recently, let's not overlook Latendresse. His name hasn't been mentioned much. The third line really broke out last night, but Bonk et cie had been in the doldrums until then.
The team as a whole is in a prolonged slump. But when we single out players who haven't produced recently, let's not overlook Latendresse. His name hasn't been mentioned much. The third line really broke out last night, but Bonk et cie had been in the doldrums until then.
We don't mention Latendresse because he's a rookie and is not expected to produce "as" much as guys who are supposed to be the leaders of this team and who get the big bucks...
Although I agree he hasn't been doing anything special lately.
This is a kind of reply to buddahsmoka1 , but I adress it to everyone...If you're gonna keep Kovalev and Koivu separated, as much as I like latendresse, I'd rather have Higgins on the second line. Although the two of them can score (well Higgins is on a cold streak, but will come back stronger), Higgins is a lot faster and I think he could create more scoring chances on that line than Latendresse. So I would just switch them (Higgins to the 2nd line and Latendresse on the third), so that Higgins can regain his scoring touch while in the mean time, Latendresse could still have some quality ice time...
Thoughts?
The thing is, whoever plays with Bonk and Johnson (for whatever reason) seems to play well. If Higgins can play a couple games with them and re-gain some confidence, I think that would help as much as anything. That being said I'm going to contradict that right now and keep him on the top line:
I don't like Samsonov and Kovalev on the same line. Koivu doesn't drive the net that much, and the perimeter players will just hold the puck and never cycle to create room.
Samsonov needs to be the lead of a line: Samsonov-Plekanec-Ryder
Ryder and Plekanec can both hit the net, and Ryder's always in the slot looking for a pass. Samsonov always centres the puck to the slot when noone's there. It's a match made in heaven.
Higgins-Koivu-Kovalev: Kovalev drives the line, but Koivu and Higgins can work the boards with him, cycle it to create room.
How many times do I have to say this, SAMSONOV AND KOVALEV CAN NOT PLAY WELL TOGETHER!
We tried it for the whole first half and both under-achieved. Now that they are playing apart, they seem to be coming around individually, as you saw with Samsonov's beautiful pass and assist on Bonk's goal and on Kovalev's shootout goal, both are regaining confidence and working harder to play as well as they can. Kovy and Sammy are better off without each-other.
I am not compairing the Totals but the differences between them:
- We distinguish the 1st and 3rd line who have an average total of over 1500 GPs
- We distinguish the 2nd and 4th line who have an average total of barely over 300 GPs
Therefore, according to this lineup, experience might be a problem but it sure wasn't for the 2003-2004 Montreal Canadiens "Youth Line" wich was composed by Michael Ryder... and who again ??? Please refresh my memory on this...
I am not compairing the Totals but the differences between them:
- We distinguish the 1st and 3rd line who have an average total of over 1500 GPs
- We distinguish the 2nd and 4th line who have an average total of barely over 300 GPs
Therefore, according to this lineup, experience might be a problem but it sure wasn't for the 2003-2004 Montreal Canadiens "Youth Line" wich was composed by Michael Ryder... and who again ??? Please refresh my memory on this...
As far as I know Ruutu doesn't fight unless he knows he'll win. Sort of like Sean Avery. I don't think Jarkko would fight Garth, but if he does, my moneys on Garth.
To be fair to the two other guys, Koivu hasn't been on top of is game either, although I did think tonight was an encouraging performance for him. I agree, it's time for a change.
Before we ship Sammy off for next to nothing i'd like to see him paired with Koivu and Kovalev. It blows my mind that with all the scoring troubles we've had Carbs has not tried the possibility of putting our top 3 most taleted forwards together, anyway..
Samsonov-Koivu-Kovalev
Ryder-Plekanec-Latendresse
Higgins-Bonk-Johnson
Perezhogin-Lapierre-Streit
Once Begin is back he'll have to fit in there somehow.
Before we ship Sammy off for next to nothing i'd like to see him paired with Koivu and Kovalev. It blows my mind that with all the scoring troubles we've had Carbs has not tried the possibility of putting our top 3 most taleted forwards together, anyway..
Samsonov-Koivu-Kovalev
Ryder-Plekanec-Latendresse
Higgins-Bonk-Johnson
Perezhogin-Lapierre-Streit
Once Begin is back he'll have to fit in there somehow.
