Chicago Blackhawks at New Jersey Devils
7:30 Eastern/6:30 Central
WGN/MSG+
If yesterday's practice lines are any indication, the Blackhawk coaching staff seems to be turning the page on what may have been some early-season experimentation—and maybe with the knowledge gained, getting serious now about trying to get some players properly slotted and some balanced scoring, especially in the top 6.
The lines:
Panik Toews Kane
Panarin Anisimov Hossa
Motte Schmaltz Hartman
Rasmussen Kruger Tootoo
(Schmaltz and Kruger alternated as third and fourth line centers).
It would be hard to find anyone who has followed the Hawks this season who would not agree that the top 6 outlined above comprises the Hawks' most potent offensive players.
On paper, that's great. And for Richard Panik, this is truly the day to buy a lottery ticket. If there is a lingering question, it's on the new "second line," where Marian Hossa has not logged a lot of time in the past with Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov.
Let's face it, Joel Queneville changes lines about as often as the wind changes direction. Most of the time, especially in-game, it really appears the names are going into a hat, or at best, he is trying to take advantage of who has the most jump that night in different situations.
But these line changes feel more considered—and here's why.
There's no debating the advantage of pairing Kane with Toews. But putting Panik on their left wing suggests Q is going for more of a speed/transition game with this line—let's call it "Lightning."
Aside from some Eastern Bloc roots, what do Hossa, Panarin and Anisimov have in common? All three are very strong on the puck and extremely effective cycle players—so, yeah, let's call this one "Thunder."
You can go back to the 2009 Western Conference Finals (and since) to find instances where Q will load up a "power" combo. Typically, it's because he sees a vulnerability on opposing blue lines to that physical, grinding yet potent style of play.
So taken together, these lines suggest Quenneville is going for two top lines that give him maximum matchup potential. His best 6 offensive forwards, and two lines with distinct styles.
Does that mean Tyler Motte has been permanently banished to the bottom 6. Meh, probably not. But while no one should ding Motte at all for a fairly serviceable first 7 games in the NHL, in all likelihood, his upside is a solid third line player who competes effectively over 200 feet, is willing to park in front of the net, and can chip in offensively.
So there's no guarantee all this will work better than the 3-3-1 record the Hawks have at this point—and certainly, with Andrew Desjardins beginning skating again this week, there will be at least one more adjustment in the next couple of weeks.
But it does appear that, with the current roster, the coaching staff is trying something somewhat different, and the lines seem to make a bit more sense.
The proof, one way or the other, will begin playing out tonight in New Jersey.
I'll recap either later tonight or in the AM.
JJ
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