Lucic is a player who might elevate his game a bit come playoff time. He is a respected leader on the club so IMO you only bench him if you're confident in how he and the team team will handle it.
Monahan is a bit of a differents tory. Playing center, it's the most important position on the line and more is expected especially in the defensive zone. Maybe he doesn't get sat for the same reasons (leader on the club etc.). Although maybe Sutter just tells these guys he's going to rotate them through the last 20 games.
But the leash is going to be extremely short for 23 come playoff time.
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