Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
Flames are clicking in the top nine though ... which winger do you demote?
Toffoli
Huberdeau
Mangiapane
Dube
Coleman
Ruzicka
all noticeably better.
|
Yeah, I would say they're all improving for sure. But I'm still not convinced the top 6 mix is right. The last two games 4 goals have come from the powerplay and a 5th by the top line into an empty net. That's not indicative that we're out of the woods on consistent 5 v5 play from these lines.
I think it's likely Dube who's going to be asked to centre the 4th line. Sutter has done this with him in the past, and has likewise shown that he likes to use centres he knows he can rely on. Plus Dube has played successfully with Lucic in the past. Rooney sits. Phillips on Backlunds line.
1st line
Ruzicka-Kadri-Mangiapane
Coleman-Backlund-Phillips
Lucic-Dube-Lewis
With Dube getting some extra minutes up the lineup through the game.
What I would prefer, but dont see as likely (yet):
Huby-Lindy-Phillips
Ruzicka-Kadri-Toffoli
Mangiapane-Backlund-Dube
Coleman-Lewis-Lucic