Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal was not good last night, that's for sure. But Backlund may have had his worst game in 4 years. And Tkachuk might have had his worst game ever. And all 3 were not skating. So it's difficult to draw any conclusions.
As for the Neal debate in general, I am not worried. I think his biggest problem so far is that both Jankowski and Ryan have been disappointments (Ryan has been fine for the 4th line but not for the 3rd). When your C is ineffective, it's tough to get the line going.
I think the solution here is to get the 3rd line going - it needs more speed and more talent. My hope is that Dube is the answer to that when he comes back. He has been snake-bitten so far, but he is getting his chances, and he brings the speed and tenacious fore-check that Neal needs to be paired with.
Dube - Bennett - Neal or Bennett - Dube - Neal (take your pick)
I think that line has speed, tenacity, talent, a strong fore-check, and a sniper.
Give it time. The Flames are winning even though they are FAR from firing on all cylinders. All of Jankowski, Ryan, Czarnik, Dube AND Neal have struggled so far. And yet we have the best winning percentage in the division. It'll come. We need to show some patience.
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