Steen returns tonight vs. Coyotes!

[ManyIdeas]

Steen-Backes-Oshie
McDonald-Berglund-Perron
Schwartz-Arnott-Sobotka
Langenbrunner -Nichol-Reaves

I know Stewart is young, and has shown he can score a goal in a very fashionable way, but I don't believe he should be playing for the Blues in the playoffs.

[STL fan in IA]

Originally Posted by The Inglorious One

My lines would be this:

Steen-Backes-Oshie
McDonald-Berglund-Perron
Schwartz-Arnott-Stewart
Sobotka-Nichol-Langenbrunner

....never dreamed I'd have Reaves as a healthy scratch

Yep, that's pretty much exactly what I was thinking and depending on matchups, they could just move Sobotka to the 3rd line, insert Reaves or perhaps Porter on the 4th line while Schwartz goes to the pressbox. D'ags can then also press Stewart for his spot in the lineup.

With 16 forwards to choose from if everyone's healthy, Hitch really can't go wrong when deciding the lineups. Of course, it's unlikely everyone stays healthy and the depth this team has will be key.

[execwrite]

Doubt Stewart is out of the playoff lineup - at least at the beginning.

Schwartz, Reaves, Crombeen, Porter sit.

McDonald Backes Oshie
Perron Berglund Stewart
Steen Arnott D'Agostini
Sobotka Nichol Langenbrunner

Kind of small on the fourth line

[Mornon]

Originally Posted by stlweir

Sobotka does so many things well but he just can't finish.

Like me in the sack.

[Mike Liut]

Originally Posted by The Inglorious One

My lines would be this:

Steen-Backes-Oshie
McDonald-Berglund-Perron
Schwartz-Arnott-Stewart
Sobotka-Nichol-Langenbrunner

....never dreamed I'd have Reaves as a healthy scratch

I know Langs is a vet and has won a cup too, but I think Reaves brings so much more on that 4th line than Langs. But I know Hitch would never play Reaves over him in the playoffs.

[BigB]

I can see Langs over Reaves.... Hitch will try and put some vet presence in playoffs as much as he can in the lineups.

[Lucifer T Longfellow]

Originally Posted by Mike Liut

I know Langs is a vet and has won a cup too, but I think Reaves brings so much more on that 4th line than Langs. But I know Hitch would never play Reaves over him in the playoffs.

If it is a choice between Langs and Reaves then IMO Langs wins hands down. He can move up to other lines if needed, he kills penalties, plays with some grit and has a ton of playoff experience. These are all pluses that Reaves doesn't have. I like Reaves and I don't think that he is just a fighter, but I'm not taking him over Langs for the post season.

It is kinda interesting to see what happens as more players get healthy to see who is in and who's out. As for me, I would stick with what got us here, including playing with sandpaper. I would be OK if Porter/Sob/Nichol/Reaves got ice time during the post season over Schwartz. Anyway you look at it, if healthy, someone who doesn't deserve it is going to sit. It is a nice problem to have.

[Sushiko]

Originally Posted by Mornon

Like me in the sack.

Well now.....

[ManyIdeas]

I'm personally not seeing this as a langs vs reaves issue, and I never considered not having langs in the postseason lineup. I'm just wondering about work ethic and effort, and whether or not to have reaves in the lineup compared to anyone not really trying.

[STL fan in IA]

Originally Posted by ManyIdeas

I'm personally not seeing this as a langs vs reaves issue, and I never considered not having langs in the postseason lineup. I'm just wondering about work ethic and effort, and whether or not to have reaves in the lineup compared to anyone not really trying.

If someone's not really trying and there are a few healthy guys sitting in the pressbox, then Mr. Lazypants is going to find himself replaced. That said, I think most lineup changes will be due to Hitch wanting to see a different dynamic or *gulp* injuries.