Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
As I said in the story, I just don't get the fourth line and the third defense pairing starting on face offs together three times in the game. Makes little sense to me.
You have four D that play 23 minutes each, and a fourth line only playing 6 minutes as a unit. He didn't have to.
I get that you get more offense out of top three lines and top two pairings but why open the flood gates?
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Every time I see Smid/Engelland out there with Bollig, 4th line C and Bouma my sphincter tightens like mad until they all get off the ice, it's just asking for trouble as our team becomes a possession black hole that gets hemmed in their zone. Better to let one of the top 4 D carry the 4th line for a bit, while having Monahan's line bail Smid/Engelland out. At least we can clear the zone more reliably and get the next few guys out on the ice instead of chasing around the d zone, getting increasingly tired and not being able to get off the ice due to icings or failed clearing attempts.