Quote:
Originally Posted by Redliner
The problem with putting the Johnny line out there more is that right now it's a one man show. Lindholm has played pretty well and shown a surprising amount of physical edge but his offense has completely dried up. Even though Monahan had a goal in game 2, he was mostly invisible the rest of the time and often looks completely disengaged. This leads to Johnny trying to do too much. He ends up attempting to dangle through the entire opposing team or doing a button hook just inside the blueline waiting for options then ultimately loses the puck. I certainly don't think Johnny is the problem but until his linemates (particularly Monahan) can up their game, I don't know if putting them out there more is the answer.
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If Monahan can't get back to being a force in the high slot, this line isn't going to turn things around. Dating back to the last 15 or so games, he's just not battling enough and seems content to allow himself to be kept to the outside. Granted, I think this is more a factor of the rest of the league upping their intensity and Monahan having no response.....It's his ability to draw coverage and create space that made Johnny and Lindholm so effective at times this season. We saw a little glimpse of fire when he barreled into the slot to score last game, hopefully that is a step in the right direction.