If there was a game that Neal was signed for was this game and he's been one of our worst forwards in the playoffs. That cross ice pass is blocked if Neal has stick on the ice. That is a play that would have been acceptable if it was Lomberg playing but as a veteran you have to get your stick in the way.
Although Peters has done a lot of good this season, not finding elevating Bennett on to the top 2 lines for longer periods is a failure. He's been our most consistent positive player for the series.
I'd like to see something along the lines of this:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuck-Backlund-Lindholm
Mangiapanie-Ryan-Frolik
Neal-Jankowski-Hathaway
Switching Frolik and Hathaway at times to get some minutes out of Hathaway. Although I am a fan of Jankowski and think he does fit the PK role well, the third line outside of Bennett has been disappointing to say the least. Our depth was supposed to win it but for most of the series it's been two players who have shown up all 4 games so far and that is Bennett and Smith.
It's odd that for the season it was Smith being the question mark and the team bailing him out. Now when the going gets tough Smith has been amazing and probably kept the team from being swept like Tampa was.
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GO FLAMES GO!!!!
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