Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
It's almost impossible to decide who the culprit is.
In 99 minutes together they have an xGF% of 38%. That's terrible. Apart (limited time they are both bad as well).
Visually you see mistakes from both of them ... honestly can't believe they both left the zone in Montreal before the puck went out.
Only a matter of time before they have to switch it up ... which logically would be Valimaki with Andersson since they're not going to break Hanifin and Tanev up.
Then try both new pairings with reduced minutes and see how the team rolls ... Ward is using all three pairings so it's not like Giordano gets Dalton Prout and 8 minutes a night.
But as a pair I'm not so sure how long you can walk them out. They've only been above water twice in eight games, and they have three games in the 20%s.
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I am a patient fan, and feel that you need to see some games, with different opponents, before making changes. But yeah, 8 games in, and there are still no real signs of improvement. It is becoming a concern.
Not sure the best way to go though, if changes are in fact needed. I think the best solution is Gio-Tanev, and Hanifin-Andersson. But, as you say, you can't break up Tanifin right now - they are crazy-good.
So that leaves Gio-Nesterov (which worries me) and Valimaki-Andersson. And I am not sure that Andersson is ready to carry a rookie yet (with top 4 responsibilities).