Do Bennett & Wotherspoon debut Saturday?

[mac_82]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

There is a practice scheduled, but it is expected to be very optional.

Not sure if this has been posted. But they are on the ice at Winsport (Joan Snyder arena B) from 11am-1pm today and it's open to the public.

[Enoch Root]

I agree with Red Menace - I would rather NOT have home ice. Start round 1 on the road where there is no pressure, especially as the underdog. Regardless...

Bennett, Shore and all the other kids are a slam dunk - of course you play them. And that probably gives you the best chance of winning anyway.

On D, I would think that Wotherspoon and Potter both play lots of minutes as a bit of an audition. Lots for Schlemko as well (assuming he's healthy).

Bottom line: resting guys that are banged up is infinitely more important than trying for 2nd. Especially considering it's out of their hands anyway.

[Radically Red]

I would like to see Russell rested and Spooner in.

Also would like to see Shore, Bennett play. I would Keep Bollig in as well. no need to sit him. rest someone else.

Hudler i think should sit. After the abuse he took yesterday.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Mattman

I hope they rest
-Hiller
-Hudler
-Brodie or Wideman or Russel


Ortio will get the start.

Gaudreau- Monahan- Bennett would have me weak in the knees.
Plus you get 3rd/4th line minutes for Sam while "resting" Johnny and Monny.

Can Johnny play right wing?

[Bourque's Twin]

Injuries: Bouma, Byron, Diaz.

Defence should be:

Schlemko - Potter
Wotherspoon - Engelland
Brodie - Wideman

Russell rests.

Forwards will have to be everyone except whoever Bennett and Shore sub in for.

I would say 2 of Hudler, Monahan, Johnny should sit. Preferably Hudler and Johnny.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Injuries: Bouma, Byron, Diaz.

Defence should be:

Schlemko - Potter
Wotherspoon - Engelland
Brodie - Wideman

Russell rests.

Forwards will have to be everyone except whoever Bennett and Shore sub in for.

I would say 2 of Hudler, Monahan, Johnny should sit. Preferably Hudler and Johnny.

depends how important home ice is

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by dino7c

depends how important home ice is

I'd say very little in comparison to resting up a banged up team that spent a ton of energy just trying to get into the playoffs. We have almost a week, let's recuperate and re-energize as much as possible.

Besides:
Home Record:23-13-5
Road Record: 22-16-2

We're a pretty good road team (equalled a team record).

[neo45]

The owners probably really want home ice. Every playoff game is millions directly in their pocket and they have been roughly breaking even on the team for the last couple of years


Plus isn't Hiller better at home?

[azzarish]

Originally Posted by Journey17

I think you play Potter and Wotherspoon to audition both but I'd bet on any decent game by Wotherspoon gets him the start in the playoffs (assuming Diaz isn't back). Rest Russell as he has to be sore from all the blocked shots.

Yes, a good game by Wotherspoon may seem him start over Potter in game 1. Potter only played 2 minutes and a bit last night, so if Wotherspoon makes any kind of impression tomorrow you have got to think he can play those 2 mins or more in game 1.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by azzarish

Yes, a good game by Wotherspoon may seem him start over Potter in game 1. Potter only played 2 minutes and a bit last night, so if Wotherspoon makes any kind of impression tomorrow you have got to think he can play those 2 mins or more in game 1.

Agreed - if both Wotherspoon and Bennett play well in Winnipeg they could make a case to be in the lineup against the Canucks. The Canucks are not a heavy team like the Kings - the series will be about more about speed and puck moving agility.

[GGG]

I want to see Wortherspoon Schlemko paired together and get defensive zone stars and kph time. We definitely need to determine if spoon is better than potter because with 2:30 of ice time potter wasn't helping. So give spoon time with Schlemko as that will be the pairing in the playoffs.

With Bennett I see him as replacing Raymond on the wing so I would like to see him play on that line.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by neo45

The owners probably really want home ice. Every playoff game is millions directly in their pocket and they have been roughly breaking even on the team for the last couple of years


Plus isn't Hiller better at home?

True, but everybody's goal is to advance. Which means at minimum 2 more home games

[Red Menace]

The good thing is that Winnipeg has even less reason (in fact no reason at all) to try and win this game.
I imagine they'll be sitting even more guys than we are, though I imagine they'll want to give Big Buff some minutes after his suspension.
Also, playoffs don't start until Wednesday (at the earliest)...so we will have at least 3 full days of rest after this game.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by GGG

I want to see Wortherspoon Schlemko paired together and get defensive zone stars and kph time. We definitely need to determine if spoon is better than potter because with 2:30 of ice time potter wasn't helping. So give spoon time with Schlemko as that will be the pairing in the playoffs.

With Bennett I see him as replacing Raymond on the wing so I would like to see him play on that line.

Was there an injury report on Diaz I missed? Seems you and some other posters assume he will not be in to start the playoffs. Do we know that for sure?

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

Was there an injury report on Diaz I missed? Seems you and some other posters assume he will not be in to start the playoffs. Do we know that for sure?

Listed as day-to-day, but all players this time of year are listed as such. Not terribly insightful unfortunately. Luckily the people making actual decisions are in the know, and our suggestions mean squat

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

Was there an injury report on Diaz I missed? Seems you and some other posters assume he will not be in to start the playoffs. Do we know that for sure?

I got no info so If he gets healthy it might not matter but if we have any blue line injury the bottom pairing becomes Schlemko, spoon. So getting some chemistry there is worth it

[CaptainCrunch]

I wouldn't be surprised if Maurice and Hartley are texting back and forth

Hartley - "Hey Paul, nice haircut and all, but how about this, you're guys don't try to hurt our guys, and we won't hammer the crap out of your guys LOL"

Maurice - "NP"

Hartley - "And why don't you dope up Buff with some xanax, fat angry guys aren't funny"

Maurice - "Thought of that but he ate the team doctor"

Hartley - "LOL TTYL"

[cannon7]

I hope as many of the vets as possible get a rest against the Jets. Especially Hudler, Russell, Wideman and maybe even Hiller. I expect the Jets to do the same with their roster. So yeah, on with the Bennett and Wotherspoon show!

[Dagger]

The Canucks have relatively similar home/away splits as us, however I still think starting in our building is important. This core of Canucks have never been known as a resilient hockey team, and I think going back to Vancouver down 2-0 will be very tough for them to come back from.

[Dagger]

I don't think Bennett playing would be the worst idea though. If we struggle to score early on in the series, I could see him drawing in out of desperation.