Quote:
Originally Posted by Mathgod
I had always been in complete agreement that strength of schedule is a big factor. So I'm not sure what you're getting at. Case in point, the Panthers getting off to a decent start playing a super easy schedule but then faceplanting once things got harder. Similar situation with the Devils although they won many more games early on.
Looch has 4 points in his last 18 games, and 3 of them were against the Sharks. Honestly, I haven't seen much evidence that he's 2nd line material.
The Flames have a number of winnable games this month and it's crucial that they don't lose more ground in the playoff race. This team usually wins when they score 3 goals and usually lose when they are held to 2 or fewer. Have to find some consistency offensively to be successful. It's nice to think that all those posts will eventually become goals, but things don't always go as nice and neatly as we expect them to. I'm worried that Looch on the 2nd line may be hampering that line instead of helping it. Not sure what the situation is with Ruzicka but hopefully he gets back to being the player he was earlier in the season.
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I've never said Lucic should be on the second line. Think it's temporary.
But this combination has had the Flames play their best hockey of the season, and I doubt he changes it until that slides a bit.
Better fourth line with Lucic not on it?
Better chemistry for lines one and three.
Lesson time for Ruzicka.
But it adds up to sustained good play.
Can't see him there long though/
(never meant to suggest that you've been on both sides of the strength of schedule argument, just that I've had it used as a doesn't matter and does matter against things I've been trying to say)