According to today's practice, yesterday's game was exactly what Ward wants to play this team.
Anyway I wish our coach can explore and can use his players according their strength and chemistry. Not force them what he wants them to play. It's OK to experiment at the beginning of the season and find chemistry. Hopefully he can found it soon.
Now other teams found out how to play against #13 and #23. Against them nobody plays to steal the puck, just play close and body check, hit, push, slash, and they are ineffective. So in my opinion Johnny and Monahan need somebody who can create space for them or somebody fast who can play give and go rushing game.
So I would try Tkachuk or Bennett for creating space or Simon, Dube even Ryan/Mangi for real fast 1-two-pass skate and shoot play.