Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
if it's a case of Gaudreau and Monahan learning defense, and then with that having the offence come and become a better overall line I'm all for it.
But odd time of year to experiment.
Out of 400 forwards with 25 or more minutes Lindholm is ranked 25th for fewest xGA/60, Monahan is 43rd and Gaudreau is 52nd.
They're not giving up much.
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Monahan has been especially noticeable in the D zone, some big hits and some very strong board work.
And Gaudreau to my eye has had some fantastic back checking/stick checking in the D zone.
When you aren't cheating for offence, the offence can be tough to get.
IF you want some of the other teams playing right now, you will often see one or two of the top line players flying the zone early. That or not taking much if any faceoffs in their own zone.
Maybe Ward is riding the hot hands, and once the top line starts getting lucky or the middle two start to struggle, the zone starts will start to shift.
Thats a level of coaching we haven't seen much of in the past, but maybe hes adapting better with more confidence and buy in.