Quote:
Originally Posted by Split98
I posted this earlier in the practice thread, but I would love to see this tried ahead of Neal coming back
Gaudreau - Monahan - Mangiapane
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Bennett
If Eatbread can't handle 1st line duties, this is the window Neal is going to need to grab. But right now, he's playing with the jam we need that top line to start carrying. I don't think Lindholm is the problem on that line, but he could be the solution to Tkachuk's problem and Mangiapane makes the most sense there (if not Czarnik or Ryan) given the past few games.
But yeah, for at least a few games that line needs some new scenery. The chemistry they had was powerful, but they seem pretty hamfisted out there.
I too am worried that Monahan is injured again. It seemed like he was hitting anything from anywhere for the first half of the season and it's rare you see a scoring chance off his stick lately. Shades of how he ended last year for sure.
I haven't liked the look of Tkachuk inserted on that line, so hopefully Peters is looking at another option against Vegas. |
WADR, I think you are seeing things. Monahan has fired a few great shots that have been stopped over the past few games. There have been a lot of sticks on his shots though. I think the first line is just being checked really hard these days. They will have to find a way to break through it.
I do worry about Tkachuk on the line, because Lindholm was the defensive stalwart (with speed to get back to the offence as well). Tkachuk isn't that good defensively, and he's not fast.