That lineup takes care of a lot of the things that went wrong in game 2.
-There's chemistry on each line (Pack line has played together, Richards/Gaborik on the top line, Boyle and Prust on the 3rd line, Stepan and Kreider on the 4th).
-Each line has at least one guy who can win a faceoff (This is why I don't like the idea of putting Dubinsky on a line with Richards, Boyle or Stepan--Put him with AA, where he can take the draws).
-The two players who need the most protection (Stepan, who has already been targeted, and Kreider, who most certainly will be) have it in Mike Rupp. Fedotenko won't deter Sens goons from taking runs at those guys. Mike Rupp can (and likely will be told to do just that). This is why we signed Rupp--to provide protection while taking a regular shift.
-The lineup has flexibility. Rupp doesn't have to play EVERY shift with Kreider and Stepan. If those two get something going, Torts can double shift Gaborik or Callahan with them for a few shifts. The same applies to the first line. Feds doesn't have to play every shift with Richie and Gabs. I could see Boyle up there every now and again, or Torts double shifting a very-angry (ie-motivated) Dubinsky.
Just my opinion, but I think those four lines maximize the best attributes of the players currently available to Torts.
That lineup takes care of a lot of the things that went wrong in game 2.
-There's chemistry on each line (Pack line has played together, Richards/Gaborik on the top line, Boyle and Prust on the 3rd line, Stepan and Kreider on the 4th).
-Each line has at least one guy who can win a faceoff (This is why I don't like the idea of putting Dubinsky on a line with Richards, Boyle or Stepan--Put him with AA, where he can take the draws).
-The two players who need the most protection (Stepan, who has already been targeted, and Kreider, who most certainly will be) have it in Mike Rupp. Fedotenko won't deter Sens goons from taking runs at those guys. Mike Rupp can (and likely will be told to do just that). This is why we signed Rupp--to provide protection while taking a regular shift.
-The lineup has flexibility. Rupp doesn't have to play EVERY shift with Kreider and Stepan. If those two get something going, Torts can double shift Gaborik or Callahan with them for a few shifts. The same applies to the first line. Feds doesn't have to play every shift with Richie and Gabs. I could see Boyle up there every now and again, or Torts double shifting a very-angry (ie-motivated) Dubinsky.
Just my opinion, but I think those four lines maximize the best attributes of the players currently available to Torts.
Logical, but I don't want Mitchell anywhere near the 3rd line, which has had a huge increase in time lately.
Kreider with Boyle and Prust works although I'd rather not break up the 3rd line because they played so well on Saturday. Kreider, Dubi, Cally would be great but Torts won't want to throw him into those minutes that early on either.
Gut tells me he's on the 3rd w Boyle and Prust but if the Rangers have no offense generated early expect the lines to be reshifted accordingly. Wouldn't be surprised to see Kreider w Richie and Gabby at someone point if we're down 1-0 or 2-1.
Logical, but I don't want Mitchell anywhere near the 3rd line, which has had a huge increase in time lately.
Mitchell's going to get a bump in minutes any way you slice it. With Hagelin out, the team has one top-6 LW (Dubinsky), two 4th line LW (Feds and Mitchell) and a rookie (Kreider). We both know that Torts will have Kreider on a short leash for the next few games, if not for the entirety of this post-season. Who gets those minutes? Torts trusts Mitchell (I have no idea why). He's going to play him more than he will Kreider.
I also don't like the idea of putting Kreider on Boyle's wing. Not only does Boyle not offer much in the way of protection, but that puts Kreider right next the guy at the center of the ****-storm. See how he handles a few shifts on the 4th line, and (particularly if it fizzles again) maybe work him into the PP.
There are risks here (I would worry about that third line winning draws, and there is no true shutdown line), but I think it's worth running out in practice for a look. The top line runs off of Haglin forechecking and winning pucks. Dubinsky isn't Haglin (or Kreider) fast, but he has been doing those two things as well as anyone of late, and he should have a chip on his shoulder.
I think it's more likely that we see:
Feds-Richards-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Kreider-Boyle-Prust
Mitchell-Stepan-Rupp
Prust-Mitchell-Rupp
2nd configuration looks like a winner to me can juggle the top 6 around a bit if we need to but the 3rd line looks good. Kreider and Stepan have some previous chemistry and Feds adds a semblance of defensive responsibility.
It's tough though because neither Prust nor Feds deserve to be on the fourth.
I don't care if Kreider has never played a game before the kid needs to be with some skill, if you put him on the 4th line he'll be useless and won't be able to use his talent.
