They pass at an elite level, so they look fast, even though they are at best average skaters. Every other line was very quick. Havlat was great. He and Marleau looked awesome, now if only Clowe would stop sucking...
You better stop this nonsense right now. It's nonsense because it makes too much sense, and if something makes too much sense, TMac won't do it until (if) another losing streak occurs and he needs to make such changes to get out of a slump and avoid getting fired.
With such line combos, that 2nd line is really the first line, but if opponents see Thornton and always throw out their top D pairing against the Thornton line, that 2nd line would eat the NHL alive.
__________________
2011: Outcoached by Vigneault. 2012: Outcoached all season and postseason by Hitch.
2013: Outcoached by most coaches in the NHL. Who's left? 12 year olds on Xbox Live? SACK T-MAC NOW
You better stop this nonsense right now. It's nonsense because it makes too much sense, and if something makes too much sense, TMac won't do it until (if) another losing streak occurs and he needs to make such changes to get out of a slump and avoid getting fired.
With such line combos, that 2nd line is really the first line, but if opponents see Thornton and always throw out their top D pairing against the Thornton line, that 2nd line would eat the NHL alive.
I am almost wondering if one of two things happened here (neither good):
1) Wilson came down to Todd and said "Enough, bench White, Bench Handzus, or I am going to fire you".
Or, the more worrisome possibility:
2) McLellan went to Wilson and said "Stop making me ice White and Handzus and let me put the best team on the ice so we can win some games".
One of the two of them had to be the driving force behind that stupidity.
just curious why everyone wants galiardi in the top 6?
i understand he is quick and has pretty good hands but to my eyes he is late on the forecheck a lot, gets pushed off the puck very easily and his shot has been average at best. sounds like a 3/4 liner to me.
With such line combos, that 2nd line is really the first line, but if opponents see Thornton and always throw out their top D pairing against the Thornton line, that 2nd line would eat the NHL alive.
That was my thought. I think that Couture is smart enough to keep up with Marleau and Havlat's speed, plus there is a ton of raw talent and two-way ability on that line, I think they'd kick just about any second defensive pair to the curb, because you know that opponents basically have to play their top defensive pair against Thornton, otherwise he'll just kill it.
just curious why everyone wants galiardi in the top 6?
i understand he is quick and has pretty good hands but to my eyes he is late on the forecheck a lot, gets pushed off the puck very easily and his shot has been average at best. sounds like a 3/4 liner to me.
I think he's been a quality forechecker.
The only way I'd want him in the top-6 is if he's with Thornton and Pavelski. They can carry the load offensively, but TJ has the skills to hang with them. You're forgetting that he's 23 and has a 40 point season. He isn't without offensive talent.
just curious why everyone wants galiardi in the top 6?
i understand he is quick and has pretty good hands but to my eyes he is late on the forecheck a lot, gets pushed off the puck very easily and his shot has been average at best. sounds like a 3/4 liner to me.
1.) Couture-Thornton-Pavs is criminally slow.
2.) Clowe needs to go down to the 3rd line.
3.) Marleau-Couture-Havlat is just too sexy to pass up. Especially with the thought that most teams will match top D pairings against Thornton line no matter who Thornton's wingers are.
4.) Thornton-Pavs needs more speed, and I don't want to add Mitchell. Really just leaves Galiardi.
The only way I'd want him in the top-6 is if he's with Thornton and Pavelski. They can carry the load offensively, but TJ has the skills to hang with them. You're forgetting that he's 23 and has a 40 point season. He isn't without offensive talent.
im not forgetting that, but i dont think he has been better than clowe or wingels. although the preds game was his best yet. the first line is all about possession and its not something ive been terribly impressed by when galiardi has the puck.
you definitely wont see him now that havlat is back, unless clowe just becomes abysmal, which contrary to popular belief i dont think hes been that bad, hes getting his shots off, keeping the puck in the zone and supporting...hes been lacking in the hitting area and his defensive game is a little suspect thought.
i wouldnt mind seeing winnik-moore-galiardi for a game, but mitchell is just playing too well atm, so you will continue to see him play 4th line minutes, and desjardins/ferriero probably wont bring out his offensive game, so it could be a while before his potential is realized.
im not forgetting that, but i dont think he has been better than clowe or wingels. although the preds game was his best yet. the first line is all about possession and its not something ive been terribly impressed by when galiardi has the puck.
you definitely wont see him now that havlat is back, unless clowe just becomes abysmal, which contrary to popular belief i dont think hes been that bad, hes getting his shots off, keeping the puck in the zone and supporting...hes been lacking in the hitting area and his defensive game is a little suspect thought.
i wouldnt mind seeing winnik-moore-galiardi for a game, but mitchell is just playing too well atm, so you will continue to see him play 4th line minutes, and desjardins/ferriero probably wont bring out his offensive game, so it could be a while before his potential is realized.
No, he really isn't. His brutal giveaway trying to keep the puck in the zone resulted in the breakaway that resulted in the PP that resulted in the only Preds goal. He is playing only on the perimeter like he's scared to go to the net, and he wasted about 20 seconds on the PP yesterday just holding the puck when he had a good angle for a shot. He should be sat or demoted at this point, now that we have the depth.
To get out of a slump two seasons ago, TMac spit MTH among three lines:
Clowe-Thornton-Mitchell
Marleau-Malhotra-Pavs
Heatley-Couture-Seto
I would like to see this back, adjusted for 2012. First off, to help Clowe out, possibly bring him to the first line. Also, Clowe-Thornton-Mitchell means top 6 talent on lines 2 and 3, which other teams will have difficulty stopping. Finally, want to see Couture and Havlat back together. When it was Clowe-Couture-Havlat earlier this season, that was an awesome line. So...maybe...
Clowe-Thornton-Mitchell
Marleau-Pavs-Galiardi (or Galiardi-Marleau-Pavs)
Wingels-Couture-Havlat
Winnik-Moore-Desjardins
Speed on every line, 3 scoring lines and one speedy checking line, the only line that may not score is the Thornton line, but as long as teams send out top D pairs vs. that line, that's fine especially when your third line has the Couture-Havlat combo. Marleau-Pavs-TJ would seem to have great combo of speed, playmaking, and scoring. Thornton's even strength numbers go down, but others scoring goes up and with speed evenly distributed, the hope is all 4 lines can draw penalties and put that lethal PP on the ice more often.
Last edited by ChompChomp: 03-16-2012 at 12:31 PM.
This will be a good win if they can do it again and beat Detroit. They got to start putting wins together and what better way to gain confidence than to do it against one of the best Hockey teams in the league who's feeling a bit depleted as of late. Hopefully they can get it done.
No, he really isn't. His brutal giveaway trying to keep the puck in the zone resulted in the breakaway that resulted in the PP that resulted in the only Preds goal. He is playing only on the perimeter like he's scared to go to the net, and he wasted about 20 seconds on the PP yesterday just holding the puck when he had a good angle for a shot. He should be sat or demoted at this point, now that we have the depth.
we take penalties a good amount. it was murray that gave away that goal not clowe, especially when prior to that we had killed the last 10 powerplays in a row.
and 20 seconds is a long time on a PP, id like to watch a replay of that.
galiardi, and again this is just me observing, is late on most of his forechecks IE: behind the defender, and when he does get the puck on the boards he gets checked off of it very easily, and its not against top competition either. clowe wins most of his board battles, has a couple of goals recently and scored on the SO.
galiardi has found himself in some good positions but hasnt been accurate enough, and i dont disagree that clowe could/should serve some time on the third line, i just disagree that galiardi is ready to make the step up.
we take penalties a good amount. it was murray that gave away that goal not clowe, especially when prior to that we had killed the last 10 powerplays in a row.
and 20 seconds is a long time on a PP, id like to watch a replay of that.
galiardi, and again this is just me observing, is late on most of his forechecks IE: behind the defender, and when he does get the puck on the boards he gets checked off of it very easily, and its not against top competition either. clowe wins most of his board battles, has a couple of goals recently and scored on the SO.
galiardi has found himself in some good positions but hasnt been accurate enough, and i dont disagree that clowe could/should serve some time on the third line, i just disagree that galiardi is ready to make the step up.
1. We are actually one of the least penalized teams in the league.
2. Murray was at fault for the actual goal, but Clowe gave the puck away which forced Vlasic to take a penalty. It was Clowe's fault.
3. 20 seconds is a long time to just stand around and hold the puck on the PP. It's wasting time that could be used to get the 1st unit out again.
4. Galiardi is being utilized as the 2nd forechecker fairly often. Desy is usually the first guy in, IIRC.
I'm not saying we should gift a top-6 spot to TJ, but I don't think 1 game can do anything but help.
1. We are actually one of the least penalized teams in the league.
2. Murray was at fault for the actual goal, but Clowe gave the puck away which forced Vlasic to take a penalty. It was Clowe's fault.
3. 20 seconds is a long time to just stand around and hold the puck on the PP. It's wasting time that could be used to get the 1st unit out again.
4. Galiardi is being utilized as the 2nd forechecker fairly often. Desy is usually the first guy in, IIRC.
I'm not saying we should gift a top-6 spot to TJ, but I don't think 1 game can do anything but help.
I agree with everything.
Also to add, my issue with Galiardi is the way he's being utilized. He's not being put into a position to succeed, same as on Colorado. Top line is a bit much, but I'd consider something like:
Also to add, my issue with Galiardi is the way he's being utilized. He's not being put into a position to succeed, same as on Colorado. Top line is a bit much, but I'd consider something like:
I don't particularly want to see Havlat and Thornton together; opponents will only have to shadow Couture because they know that neither Thornton nor Havlat will ever shoot the puck.
1. We are actually one of the least penalized teams in the league.
2. Murray was at fault for the actual goal, but Clowe gave the puck away which forced Vlasic to take a penalty. It was Clowe's fault.
3. 20 seconds is a long time to just stand around and hold the puck on the PP. It's wasting time that could be used to get the 1st unit out again.
4. Galiardi is being utilized as the 2nd forechecker fairly often. Desy is usually the first guy in, IIRC.
I'm not saying we should gift a top-6 spot to TJ, but I don't think 1 game can do anything but help.
i didnt mean to say galiardi is the first forechecker, but desjardins gets the puck more often than not and tj is still behind his defender. if he does beat him to the boards he gets checked off of it. im sure i could be wrong though and im letting a few bad plays color my vision.
boyle also gave away a GWG, and arguably has done less for us recently in the standings than clowe has
GW against philly
GW SO against nashville
all im saying is one bad play shouldnt bench a guy, and he and niemi just got us 2 points for once, so we should lay off him a bit.
I don't particularly want to see Havlat and Thornton together; opponents will only have to shadow Couture because they know that neither Thornton nor Havlat will ever shoot the puck.
Did fine last night!
Anyway, I think Thornton would benefit from having Havlat on his wing. He's the only guy on the team that can move defenders because of his deking and dangling. Give Thornton room to operate.
i was surprised at how much havlat shot the puck, was refreshing.
hope we keep up our level of play, nice to beat a grinder type team. those types usually find a way to win against us. just frustrate us defensively until we make a dumb play.
i didnt mean to say galiardi is the first forechecker, but desjardins gets the puck more often than not and tj is still behind his defender. if he does beat him to the boards he gets checked off of it. im sure i could be wrong though and im letting a few bad plays color my vision.
boyle also gave away a GWG, and arguably has done less for us recently in the standings than clowe has
GW against philly
GW SO against nashville
all im saying is one bad play shouldnt bench a guy, and he and niemi just got us 2 points for once, so we should lay off him a bit.
Yes, he got a goal in the shootout. Let's celebrate!
Clowe's play has been abysmal for a long while now. Boyle ****ed up against Calgary, but he makes up for it with his elite offense.
And how about we agree to reserve judgement on Gali.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hockeyball
Did fine last night!
Anyway, I think Thornton would benefit from having Havlat on his wing. He's the only guy on the team that can move defenders because of his deking and dangling. Give Thornton room to operate.
Was Havlat with Thornton? If he was, I didn't notice.
