Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
Way rather play Neal with Jankowski and Bennett over Ryan and Frolik. I hope Frolik and Ryan are not getting 2nd line minutes like you suggest.
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Once you have three good scoring lines you roll all three and the ice time differences between them at even strength is minimal. At this point it becomes very misleading to be talking about first line, second line, third line as if that distinction really means anything. It means a lot in the old setup of top 6 forwards (skill), bottom 6 forwards (defensive players and grinders). The lineup for tonight's games basically features 4 scoring lines.
People get way too hung up on line numbers in the new NHL. A lot of the difference in ice time between forwards in a balanced lineup comes from special teams TOI.
Neal can play on any of the top 3 lines. It's not a bad thing or a demotion for him to be on any of them. It creates a balanced scoring attack which is one of things we lacked most under GG last season with his 1 scoring line, 1 two-way checking line and 2 grinding lines. Peters will run with 3-4 scoring lines and we're miles ahead of last year already.