I liked Kreider's game last night on that line, so I'd give it a go again. I've been saying move Zucc up with Nash and Step. I thought Zucc was active again and Brass and Pouliot can skate with Hagelin. I just think Zucc is the type of player that you have to keep your stick on the ice at all times bc he will find you. Enough of this balance stuff, its not happening. Take your top 6 forwards and put them on the top 2 lines.

IMO these players are Zuc, Kreider, Nash, Step, Richards, MSL. The third line is a nice combo of speed and secondary skill and the 4th line is what it is and has been what you expect a 4th line to be. Lets go AV, the chemisrty this team had pre-Olympic break is out the window.
- Blueshirts4ever

I think you are right about the line balance thing; at first it was
A pleasant surprise that the 3rd line could produce but that was
Because Zuccs skill kind of came out of nowhere. Now it looks like
He great passing ability is being somewhat wasted and he should
Be setting up better players -Pouliot does some decent things but he
Ain't the guy to be finishing for Zucc.

I still can't get over that 2nd goal, where the Wild had about 6 wacks at it and Stralman was just laying in the crease playing with himself. No Ranger was within 5 feet of a Wild player
- TPC

Been saying this for a while and people thought I was crazy on Sunday prior to the Red Wings game, but his head isn't right, something about him looks off, he hasn't been who he was prior to this stretch. I don't expect him back, in fact, I'd think about dropping him down move Klein up and if he doesn't play well I'd think about Diaz.

It's just so frustrating to watch this team, I need a checklist right before game time, blood pressure medication, alcohol and antacids. They're ridiculous. I knew sadly, they were going to be less physical, which drives me nuts considering they were soft as a team before they traded Cally, but I mean come on with that play in the crease. I'll never understand why Sather did not have a another deal in place to get this team some size and grit if we're supposedly going for it.
- pcjr307

Here is the thing though, its not like we have a bunch of undersized shrinking violets. Nash, Boyle, Pouliot, Kreider, Stepan, Brassard, Carcillo, Moore all at 6' or over, and anywhere from 195- 240. Zucc has been our most physical forward all year. That's ridiculous. Pouliot & Kreider use their size more than the others, but this is a team thing. Its a mindset, and I have to believe it starts with coaching. Whatever the reason, the other teams D has all day to make a play because there is no fear of getting hit, same goes for the other teams forwards in our zone.

I think you are right about the line balance thing; at first it was
A pleasant surprise that the 3rd line could produce but that was
Because Zuccs skill kind of came out of nowhere. Now it looks like
He great passing ability is being somewhat wasted and he should
Be setting up better players -Pouliot does some decent things but he
Ain't the guy to be finishing for Zucc.
- BobbySchmautz

Vin said this already and he is right. Pouliot is back to being his enigmatic self....

Been saying this for a while and people thought I was crazy on Sunday prior to the Red Wings game, but his head isn't right, something about him looks off, he hasn't been who he was prior to this stretch. I don't expect him back, in fact, I'd think about dropping him down move Klein up and if he doesn't play well I'd think about Diaz.
- Blueshirts4ever

Maybe the contract thing is getting to him, or he really does want to go back to Sweeden

Maybe the contract thing is getting to him, or he really does want to go back to Sweeden
- TPC

He is bringing Staal down IMO.

He is bringing Staal down IMO.
- Blueshirts4ever

I don't know about that, Staal's giveaways are all on him, they both look brutal out there. This is Staal's first full season in what 3 years? Wonder if he is just gassed.

I don't know about that, Staal's giveaways are all on him, they both look brutal out there. This is Staal's first full season in what 3 years? Wonder if he is just gassed.
- mdw7413

Just my opinion, its not like Staal to be so sloppy and if your partner isn't pulling his weight it puts unecessary pressure on the other.

He is bringing Staal down IMO.
- Blueshirts4ever

They both are poop right now. Staal turning the puck over right to Granlund to set up the 2nd goal was nobody's fault other than Staal.

Just my opinion, its not like Staal to be so sloppy and if your partner isn't pulling his weight it puts unecessary pressure on the other.
- Blueshirts4ever

Guess they should try Klein with Staal and Moore with Stralman, see what happens. All I know is Staal & Stralman are awful since after the olympic break.

Guess they should try Klein with Staal and Moore with Stralman, see what happens. All I know is Staal & Stralman are awful since after the olympic break.
- mdw7413

Yes, maybe I'm being too hard on Stralman, either way, they are playing like garbage and it doesn't help that they aren't scoring goals bc every mistake is now magnified.

They both are poop right now. Staal turning the puck over right to Granlund to set up the 2nd goal was nobody's fault other than Staal.
- tomburton99

I am still not going to over analyze one of the goals against in a game they lost 2-1 and outshot the other team.

the reason they lost is because the forwards can't finish, bottom line

I am still not going to over analyze one of the goals against in a game they lost 2-1 and outshot the other team.

the reason they lost is because the forwards can't finish, bottom line
- jimbro83

That made me disgusted last night. A power play early, with Suter off the ice, they get one 1 shot. A minute of 6 on 4 late in game and they don't get a shot on goal. Terrible.

I am still not going to over analyze one of the goals against in a game they lost 2-1 and outshot the other team.

the reason they lost is because the forwards can't finish, bottom line
- jimbro83

I agree with your overall point, but to me the Stralman & Staal pairing has been an issue the last few games, and the closer the games, their bad play gets magnified.
I think our 2 biggest problems right now are, what you said about the forwards not finishing, and no hint of a physical presence whats so ever, making it way to easy for the other team.

I agree with your overall point, but to me the Stralman & Staal pairing has been an issue the last few games, and the closer the games, their bad play gets magnified.
I think our 2 biggest problems right now are, what you said about the forwards not finishing, and no hint of a physical presence whats so ever, making it way to easy for the other team.
- mdw7413

If this isn't going to happen then you have to overwhelm teams with your skill. Ain't happenin now and so it magnifies their lack of physical play even more..

I think I pretty much summed all of this up on the last page: No one hates losing.
There is no Messier in the room to stare someone down for a bad play or slam them against a wall for not pulling their weight. Hank and maybe Zucc are the only guys who act like giving up a goal is a slap in the face and losing is the worst thing ever.

Too many guys in the organization who are used to what losing feels like.

If this isn't going to happen then you have to overwhelm teams with your skill. Ain't happenin now and so it magnifies their lack of physical play even more..
- Blueshirts4ever

Exactly! If you cant win on finesse, better try something else. And its not like we don't have the people to play physical. Its a damn mindset, and that is what pisses me off the most.

He is bringing Staal down IMO.
- Blueshirts4ever

Staal brings Staal down

Staal brings Staal down
- beuka23

ya, i amended that statement but neither player is playing well

ya, i amended that statement but neither player is playing well
- Blueshirts4ever

you're absolutely right to be honest, sit them both put in Faulk and Diaz maybe send a message, also sit one of the big guys call up Miller or even play the new kid, hold some people accountable

you're absolutely right to be honest, sit them both put in Faulk and Diaz maybe send a message, also sit one of the big guys call up Miller or even play the new kid, hold some people accountable
- beuka23

the only thing sitting Staal and Stralman out and playing Diaz and Faulk in their places will accomplsh is that AV will be forced to play McDonagh and Girardi 40 minutes a game.

you're absolutely right to be honest, sit them both put in Faulk and Diaz maybe send a message, also sit one of the big guys call up Miller or even play the new kid, hold some people accountable
- beuka23

I wouldn't go as far as benching both them, but of the two I'd sit Stralman and insert Diaz...

the only thing sitting Staal and Stralman out and playing Diaz and Faulk in their places will accomplsh is that AV will be forced to play McDonagh and Girardi 40 minutes a game.
- jimbro83

Don't want him anywhere near the ice.

Don't want him anywhere near the ice.
- mdw7413

it's been way too long since he played a game to even think about taking a healthy player out and putting him in for during the crucial 15 games left we have.

it's been way too long since he played a game to even think about taking a healthy player out and putting him in for during the crucial 15 games left we have.
- jimbro83

I know you can't sit both, but if you sit Stralman and Staal still has his 5 turnovers a game, 1 good for a goal against, is it going to be "well he had to get used to a new partner"?