Quote:
Originally Posted by ThisIsAnOutrage
Didn't see all of the game last night, but saw 4 Chicago goals, and it looked like the same old garbage. The way I see it, here's the problem (stats are for the whole season)
Gaudreau -8
Monahan -8
Not only are they not scoring, they have become huge defensive liabilities. Monahan has been a pylon in his own end, and Johnny gets burned by larger forwards constantly.
No change = No Playoffs
Brodie at -8 is also an issue, obviously.
Backlund/Frolik/X looks way more like a top line right now.
And for the final day-after-meltdown drama: I think Gulutzan needs to sit Johnny for a game and Mony for another. Calm them down, have them observe the system, see how things go when they are separated.
|
This is a good assessment, because this is the NHL and you can only tinker for so long before we fall too far back on the standings. We need our best players to be our best players. It's unfortunate because those 2 guys just got big paychecks but are not effectively driving the top line. If we had Crosby playing our team he would be playing at such a high level his wingers would need to keep up while he plays like he "
wills" his team to win. Now I realize Sid Crosby is not a fair comparison but it drives home the point that your top line- players need to be your best players. Monahan does not look like a center that drives that line, right now he looking more like a complementary player. I think he is capable but maybe his back is still bothering him?