Quote:
Originally Posted by belsarius
It feels to me like Peters is basing his lines on his opponents. I know we aren't used to it, but he has strategic IMO and has been putting the 3M line together specifically against some of the best lines in hockey. Against ANA and LAK there wasn't that line like you would face against Boston, Pitts or Colorado. I think these were great games to see if they could get Neal engaged more and seeing how that line operates.
I would expect to see 3M together for those tough assignment games, I haven't been following SJ as much so I don't know if they have that killer first line or if they spread it out so I hesitate to speculate on if they switch it up for tonight.
I will say though, that by the eye test, Kovalchuk's line seemed to do a number on the Backlund line all night. Neal's lack of speed I believe played a part in that, but there really wasn't anything so dangerous as to believe they were a terrible line.
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I thought they contained Kovalchuk quite well. Any line I see going to get a couple chances, but I thought they were kept outside a fair bit.