Quote:
Originally Posted by browna
I don't think there's any reason to ever doubt Sutter when it comes to lineup decisions or goalies decisions...he has the pulse on the individual.players, their mental state, the situational awarenss at a player and team level, the need for the players to either compete and work through issues or take a break to clear their minds etc etc.
Those that play checkers would assume he would play against a lesser opponent vs Montreal and Markstrom the top team in the league. But that may send the message to a team high on a good winning streak, that they can get by Montreal with less than top goaltending and run best vs best against Colorado.
Same putting Vladar in for the comeback game with a back to back the next night. Or Vladar in vs the Leafs in Toronto.
But Sutter plays chess.
5 games in the next 7 days is likely to see a whole bunch of juggling from the coach...just hope we come out unscathed injury wise.
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Nobody doubts Sutter is a smart guy, I always hate the smartest guy in the room comments because these guys are paid to be smart, not avoid being the smartest guy in the room by taking the easy way, or the way that fans will be happy.
So with that you know he sees what we do ... a bottom half of the forward ranks that isn't really working right now. He knows Ritchie can't finish, and that Lewis is in the right spots but his hands are shot. He sees that Lucic has had a tough month, and that Toffoli is playing on a line that can't produce, potentially wasting him.
Would assume he makes decisions based on things we don't necessarily see ... like how his teams have behaved in the past when they go up against teams that are physical through their line up. How he loses say 30% of his bench on those nights.
Then you look at Ritchie and Lewis and Lucic a different way. Also why he took a chance on a 450 pound third pairing.
If I had a $1 for every time someone on twitter pointed out Ritchie had no points, or that he needs to be fired to the sun I'd be wealthy. Think maybe points just aren't the point.