Quote:
Originally Posted by Mayo
Ditto.
This third line is going to be bottled up in our zone all night. I can't see having Lucic out there making a difference on Johnny's seemingly timid play. This isn't the McSorley days.
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Lucic and Tkachuk are hands down the two best Flames at protecting the puck.
Johnny has to play with someone who can protect the puck because he can't.
Gaudreau's line has been terrible at possession because he's giving it up too easily. Who are the Flames who have been the best at possession the past couple weeks? Ryan and Lucic.
It makes all sorts of sense imo. This is not about adding an enforcer to make Johnny feel bigger. This is about putting Johnny with a power forward who can possess the puck, draw defenders to him and then move it. Lucic can make space for Johnny. Lucic and Ryan are excellent at maintaining possession and cycling. Johnny needs time in the zone to get open.