Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Yes, but Calgary's 2nd line makes the same claim (elite defensively) so I would argue that it's still a wash.
I would argue the opposite. I would think the points for the 2nd line are deflated because they play such stiff competition and have really tough zone starts.
And every team has to match against the top line of their opponent each night, so that should all average out through the numbers.
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Yeah, I acknowledged the zone starts argument.
I think, though, the main point is that Peters has to be a lot more careful about who the Monahan line plays against. It's fine if it's a top line that they can dominate offensively. But the Avs, for example, had a top player who was miles ahead of the rest, and the top line just wasn't competing against that. And Backlund's line had trouble too, but that's a lesser point.
Bottom line - I'd like a top line that can go head to head more often. When they were at their best, Lindholm was a big reason, because of his defensive play. I think arguments about second line production would go away entirely.
This, BTW, is a reason I shy away from moving Lindholm to centre another line, UNLESS another good two way player can take his place (Chucky isn't the guy IMO).