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Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
Overall they have been better since changing the lines - I'd personally say it's actually the better balance in the d-pairs that's making the bigger difference though.
Anderson-Hanifin - 55.1% xGF
Tanev - Gio: 55.9% xGF
Valimaki-Stone: 50% xGF
Gio-Anderson just didn't work and it was cratering this team. Much better balance in the top 4 now though.
The forward lines have been more of a mixed bag:
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk: 36.7% xGF, 45% Offensive Zone
Mangiapane-Monahan-Dube: 60.2% xGF, 50% Offensive Zone
Lucic - Backlund - Nordstrom: 62.9% xGF, 21% Offensive Zone
Ryan - Ritchie - Leivo: 62.6% xGF, 57% Offensive Zone
So as much as the narrative has been "Gaudreau is back" away from Monahan it's not necessarily the case.
That line has been outshot, and heavily out chanced at 5v5, and I'd say Gaudreau looks the same as he did with Monahan. Personally I think Monahan looks better with Mangiapane and Dube than he did with Johnny though.
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Have been saying all year it should be
Hanifin - Andersson
Giordano - Tanev
There have been multiple issues with the lineup this year, but Gio-Andersson was bad from the get go, and those are important guys. IMO, that was the first leak that eventually sank the ship.
It is almost certainly too late to right the ship now, but if they can somehow run the table on the Habs, then this season could become one for the ages. Because, as last night showed, when they play well, the Flames are still arguably the best team in this division. At least they are as good as any.
If ever there was a 'just make the playoffs and anything could happen' year, this is it.