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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I'm honestly wondering if this changes on the road, simply because of the Avs having last change. At home, you hard match 3M against Mackinnon & Co, and it was working quite well, as 3M was playing great. Exhibit "A" on that front is the fact that Bednar kept playing Rantanen on line 2 rather than reuiniting the best offensive line in hockey so that he had at least one major weapon away from the Flames' shut down unit. But you're effectively in "reaction" mode at that point, which means that if MacKinnon plays a ton, 3M is going to get the bulk of the ice time.
On the road, you can't react - they have to react to you. If you just throw Gaudreau out there, you're probably going to get a lot of MacKinnon vs. Gaudreau (I'm guessing that's the matchup Bednar wants), and in that circumstance I suspect we see more chances both ways and more of a chance for Johnny & Co. to get into the series.
Of course, they could just get overmatched, but you're the top line on the best team in the conference. These are the situations wherein you have to step it up if you want to win a playoff series.