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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I like it. Takes the pressure off the top line to score and creates better opportunities / matchups for the second and third lines.
It used to be the Backlund line getting buried with d-zone starts. By putting the Monahan line in those situations, you likely don't lose much defensively (as all three are defensively capable, especially Lindholm) but you maximize the effectiveness of the Backlund line and Bennett line to cycle down low, get in on the forecheck, and lay the body. Which is the style of play they're leaning on to generate momentum.
The top line will still get their looks on the powerplay -- you just didn't see it in game 1 because we only had one PP.