Alright, I noticed that Carcillo was benched today. Not sure if he was injured or not, but I dont think he was. But my question is, why would Lavvy play Hartnell over Carcillo? What is the point? I just dont see it. Hartnell is been shaky for god knows how long and is completely horrible. He had one good play to Briere today.
Hartnell has played well for 7 of the last 8 games now. He is on his horse skating, blocking a couple shots, fighting in the boards, creating turnovers, and making the occasional back-handed spin-o-rama pass to Danny Briere. His line has been on fire. Cut the man some slack, please.
Is this thread for real? What has Carcillo done since the Devils series that warrants him a spot over Hartnell (who's been playing great lately, I might add)?
If you wouldve said why would you break up Briere and Leino I would agree. Hartnell really doesnt help that line.
Completely and utterly false.
Hartnell creates the space that the two of them need to play the puck control game and dance around the zone like they do. He also bangs bodies and digs pucks free from the boards for them to play with.
He's also put some goals up...he's been night and day from the regular season in the last 8 games or so, and he is critical to the success of that line, even if he doesn't actually touch the puck anywhere near as much as the other two.
And this is coming from someone who has hated Hartnell all year.
Hartnell creates the space that the two of them need to play the puck control game and dance around the zone like they do. He also bangs bodies and digs pucks free from the boards for them to play with.
He's also put some goals up...he's been night and day from the regular season in the last 8 games or so, and he is critical to the success of that line, even if he doesn't actually touch the puck anywhere near as much as the other two.
And this is coming from someone who has hated Hartnell all year.
If you wouldve said why would you break up Briere and Leino I would agree. Hartnell really doesnt help that line.
If it's not broke, don't fix it. Laviolette stated he wasn't going to break up that line, and as long as Hartnell isn't useless, and Leino stays hot (Briere maybe too), they're not going to get broken up. That's your #1 line right now.
Hartnell is a big body who can push around the Smurfs, and plays the power play. Carcillo averaged the less than all other forwards during the playoffs, does not play special teams and Lavi has shielded him from being matched up without last change during the playoffs. You sit a guy who (is supposed to) scores goals and is tough to move off the puck, or someone who is basically a fill-in until other solutions are found.
Carcillo is the obvious choice to sit out. Take a look at the playoff PIM leaders. Carcillo would be in #2 spot if you take away all the 5 minute fighting penalties of the other players. He takes the worst undisciplined penalties, and as of late hasn't been doing much offensively.
Did you watch the game today? We removed Carcillo and only took 3 minors (1 being carle's delay of game). It's already working.
You realize that Hartnell is coming off his best game of the year?
Dude was phenomenal tonight, I was actually thinking about starting a thread about how he's the underrated reason that the Briere line is doing so well.
You realize that Hartnell is coming off his best game of the year?
Dude was phenomenal tonight, I was actually thinking about starting a thread about how he's the underrated reason that the Briere line is doing so well.
+1. My man is actually playing defense right now. It shocked the hell out of me.
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