[GDT] Canucks @ Flames, 8:00 PM MT (Sportsnet 1/Sportsnet Pacific / Fan 960)

[Harry Lime]

Hate to be piling on, but was not the Bennett centred line the defacto first line last game based on on-ice success?

[AC]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1362122229966794753

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I'm going to get lampooned for this one as I have been a vociferous defender of Monahan at centre, but as Lindy is proving to be a centre beast why not just try to roll Johnny-Lindy-Monahan for a little while? Mony has actually been struggling at faceoffs this season so it might be worthwhile.

The problem with that is you have Monahan not only on wing where he hasn’t played since his rookie season, but on the off wing, which is harder, especially getting out of the zone and taking the puck off the boards.

[Textcritic]

The Canucks are 2-8-0 on the road, and have won games in only Edmonton and Winnipeg.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I haven't seen the underlying fancy stats in regards to how Lindholm is doing playing center, but does that have to be etched in stone? I don't mind him there at all, but it kinda feels like there's so much that has to be moved around just because we assume he has to play center (yes, I know it's his natural position). But he's just so good everywhere, why don't we try him back on Monahan's wing, not as punishment but morseo to balance the rest of the top 9.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Mangiapane
Lucic-Bennett-Dube

Then put whoever on the 4th line, with Ryan out it's probably something like Nordstrom/Froese/Leivo-Simon tonight.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I haven't seen the underlying fancy stats in regards to how Lindholm is doing playing center, but does that have to be etched in stone? I don't mind him there at all, but it kinda feels like there's so much that has to be moved around just because we assume he has to play center (yes, I know it's his natural position). But he's just so good everywhere, why don't we try him back on Monahan's wing, not as punishment but morseo to balance the rest of the top 9.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Mangiapane
Lucic-Bennett-Dube

Then put whoever on the 4th line, with Ryan out it's probably something like Nordstrom/Froese/Leivo-Simon tonight.

Someone can correct me if wrong, but isn’t Lindholm adamant on playing center and not having to flip back and forth? If true, then he has every right to choose what he wants to do. His say comes before Bennett.

I would like to try Monahan on the wing if possible. Have Backlund, Gaudreau, and Monahan on a line.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by AC

https://twitter.com/user/status/1362122229966794753

His mask is incredible. One of the best in the league.

Does he have logos on his chest protector!? Haha that is great!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Young Guns

Bennett is the better option to play with Gaudreau/Mony. Simon & Leivo have brought absolutely nothing offensively or defensively. To say they deserve to be on that line over Bennett is crazy.

Just like Buddy Robinson is a better choice for the 4th line. He is huge (6'6" 232lbs), fast, creates turnovers and hits. Would wear down the other team if he got more than 3 min a game. Much better choice than Simon in my non-professional opinion.

The numbers Bingo posted say with Simon on that line they’ve done better than with Bennett. So while lots may disagree, it’s not crazy.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

With Backlund back they have to make a change. I don't think Backlund is going to the fourth line.

So to me that line was going to break up if you want to leave Tkachuk with Lindholm and Monahan with Gaudreau.

The Bennett vs Simon argument is a fair one though.

Plus how often have we seen morning skate lines that don't end up being what they go with either off the hop, or early in the game?

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Mangiapane
Lucic - Bennett -Dube
3 other dudes

It's so simple that it is almost insulting that we have to discuss it. Ward is WAY over-thinking things right now.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

With Leivo
31 minutes
50% CF
57% xGF

With Bennett
47 minutes
43% CF
44% xGF

With Simon
54 minutes
50% CF
54% XGF

The two without any of the three
46 minutes
59% CF
57% xGF

Bennett with Monahan and Gaudreau have improved in recent games, but he has the poorest results with them season to date.

I knew someone would ask, so of course you posted in response, but these sample sizes are WAY too small to be at all useful. We're talking about 2 to 4 games with each combo. Not only too small, but who they were up against, and whether it was at home or on the road, really matters here - not enough time for the numbers to average those things out.

[Jethro Choicebro]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames projected tonight vs. Vancouver:

Mangiapane-Lindholm-Tkachuk
Gaudreau-Monahan-Simon
Lucic-Backlund-Dube
Nordstrom-Froese-Bennett

Hanifin-Tanev
Giordano-Valimaki
Nesterov-Andersson

Markstrom

Per the Flames website

*As per head coach Geoff Ward, Mikael Backlund will be a game-time decision. He missed Monday's game with a lower body injury but skated today

Surely based one these lines Backlund is not expected to play and Bennett will slot in between Lucic and Dube

[CsInMyBlood]

Just because Bennett scored a goal in a game it doesnt mean he had a good game. He had a shift where he scored.

What about all the other shifts where he couldn't make a pass, couldn't take a pass, bobbled the puck and lost it, gets stripped, gets hemmed in zone or loses yet another puck battle?

Watch his shifts. Hes not adding anything of note. The Monahan line has been better with Leivo or Simon on it. So what does that say? Why should Bennett stay there when a couple of replacement players have better results?

If Backlund cant play tonight, Im sure Bennett will slot as the 3rd line center again. This coaching staff gave the guy who has a trade demand to get off the team a chance with the top players and he still couldnt mesh with them.

Hes a play killer and the coaching staff knows it. They watch replays of his shifts over and over again. They see how that line continually gets hemmed in and how he contributes to it. Enough coddling of Sam Bennett. He deserves nothing and IMO even less now that he doesn't even want to play for this team anymore.

Sorry Bennett fans, he has been the weak link on every line hes been played on. Honestly do you believe any player on this team wants him on their line? The outrage around here about such a beyond mediocre player is just bizarre.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The numbers Bingo posted say with Simon on that line they’ve done better than with Bennett. So while lots may disagree, it’s not crazy.

Small sample size, strength of opposition, general team malaise. Eye test said that he was creating more with that line than Simon or Leivo, but some of that is on Johnny and Monny having a good game as well.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Buff

How many of those 43 will be scored from center ice or farther?

All of them.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jethro Choicebro

Per the Flames website


Surely based one these lines Backlund is not expected to play and Bennett will slot in between Lucic and Dube

I think this is likely.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Just because Bennett scored a goal in a game it doesnt mean he had a good game. He had a shift where he scored.

What about all the other shifts where he couldn't make a pass, couldn't take a pass, bobbled the puck and lost it, gets stripped, gets hemmed in zone or loses yet another puck battle?

Watch his shifts. Hes not adding anything of note. The Monahan line has been better with Leivo or Simon on it. So what does that say? Why should Bennett stay there when a couple of replacement players have better results?

If Backlund cant play tonight, Im sure Bennett will slot as the 3rd line center again. This coaching staff gave the guy who has a trade demand to get off the team a chance with the top players and he still couldnt mesh with them.

Hes a play killer and the coaching staff knows it. They watch replays of his shifts over and over again. They see how that line continually gets hemmed in and how he contributes to it. Enough coddling of Sam Bennett. He deserves nothing and IMO even less now that he doesn't even want to play for this team anymore.

Sorry Bennett fans, he has been the weak link on every line hes been played on. Honestly do you believe any player on this team wants him on their line? The outrage around here about such a beyond mediocre player is just bizarre.

Yea...as opposed to Dominic 'provide nothing of fking value' Simon

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I knew someone would ask, so of course you posted in response, but these sample sizes are WAY too small to be at all useful. We're talking about 2 to 4 games with each combo. Not only too small, but who they were up against, and whether it was at home or on the road, really matters here - not enough time for the numbers to average those things out.

They are small sample sizes, but then again a Simon supporter (if there was one) would make the same argument.

For me, I don’t think Bennett’s defence is good enough for that line. I’d go:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Mangiapane (Mangiapane works hard at both ends and is good at the forecheck)
Bennett-Lindholm-Tkachuk (Bennett’s goal have been from passes coming from behind the net and guess what Tkachuk likes to do - Lindholm provides responsibility)
Lucic-Backlund-Dube (Lucic and Backlund worked well and Lucic and Dube worked well).
Simon-Froese-Nordstrom, or whatever

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Yea...as opposed to Dominic 'provide nothing of fking value' Simon

Yet he isn't dragging down two of our top players and is more reliable defensively.

There is value to that.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Gaudreau-Monahan-Mangiapane (Mangiapane works hard at both ends and is good at the forecheck)
Bennett-Lindholm-Tkachuk (Bennett’s goal have been from passes coming from behind the net and guess what Tkachuk likes to do - Lindholm provides responsibility)
Lucic-Backlund-Dube (Lucic and Backlund worked well and Lucic and Dube worked well).
Simon-Froese-Nordstrom, or whatever

That also looks okay to me, but which line gets the heavy checking assignments? Lindholm's line has been doing it most often and most effectively, but I would worry about Bennett's ability to play against other teams's top lines. I also don't want Lucic and Dube together there.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Yet he isn't dragging down two of our top players and is more reliable defensively.

There is value to that.

Yay...I'm sure Johnny and Mony shiver with sheer excitement when they see Simon lining up beside them as their defensively responsible linemate lol