There also weren't a lot of forwards knocking on the door.
Bill Stromgren had a very up and down season and basically didn't earn a chance. At the beginning of the year, Conroy even specified him as a guy he hoped would be ready to see some NHL duty. Stromgren didn't put himself in position for that to happen, even as the call up in game 82.
So beyond Kerins and Stromgren who else are we talking about? I think Rooney was a regular player because the lack of centres and guys who could take faceoffs.
One could argue there was more opportunity in the blueline, and perhaps too many bodies were in the way there. But post deadline the team was pushing for a spot, and got enough points to get one, if not for some horrible luck. So I can't find fault with their line-up decisions down the stretch. They ripped off a great streak to try and get in.
|