Wilson will not be out there much against our 3rd line so I don't get the Ross playing for Bellows idea. If you want to really send a message to both the caps and the team.. leave the 3rd line alone as it has been finally playing well and sit a guy in top 6.

The Boss!!!! Back where he belongs. I personally would have sat Komarov and left Bellows in but as long as the Boss is back in
- Vukota

I approve of this message.

I would not mind seeing Beau and Barzal together for a game again.. put Ross with them to crash net and destroy Wilson and Gudas when they go after the 2 of em.

I approve of this message.
- ses111

As you should

I recognize that you recognized me
- Upstate_isles

The Boss!!!! Back where he belongs. I personally would have sat Komarov and left Bellows in but as long as the Boss is back in
- Vukota

Yeah that’s all that matters. Hopefully he’s on the first line to protect barzal. We can’t continue risking his life.

Yeah that’s all that matters. Hopefully he’s on the first line to protect barzal. We can’t continue risking his life.
- Cptmjl

Boo Hoo I don't like it when Trotz makes moves I don't like

Boo Hoo I don't like it when Trotz makes moves I don't like
- Vukota

😂

That’s where you’re wrong. I love it. This way I can come on here and b!tch about it.

This is a moot point, if gudas or Wilson hurt a guy then they are going to fight after that and it's already done. If I'm wilson and I kill a guy and get punched a few times what do I care?
- Upstate_isles

Fair point, but the other side of the coin is that, if they go after our skill guys (we have some, right? ), then Johnston goes after their skill guys.

😂

That’s where you’re wrong. I love it. This way I can come on here and b!tch about it.
- Cptmjl

Yeah that’s all that matters. Hopefully he’s on the first line to protect barzal. We can’t continue risking his life.
- Cptmjl

Well if you have him playing to "keep an eye on Wilson" .. .he isn't going to see Tom at all playing on the 3rd line. no? If not they why is he playing?

Fair point, but the other side of the coin is that, if they go after our skill guys (we have some, right? ), then Johnston goes after their skill guys.
- JohnScammo

That and just maybe the last couple of games they have played Wilson & Gudas have been pretty quiet is it because Johnston was in the lineup? Nah can't be..

Well if you have him playing to "keep an eye on Wilson" .. .he isn't going to see Tom at all playing on the 3rd line. no? If not they why is he playing?
- niteislander

‘‘Twas said with heaps of sarcasm. I’m not a fan of Johnston or having him in the line up when we can’t score goals.

This is a moot point, if gudas or Wilson hurt a guy then they are going to fight after that and it's already done. If I'm wilson and I kill a guy and get punched a few times what do I care?
- Upstate_isles

He might care if one of their skilled guys gets taken out because of it.

That and just maybe the last couple of games they have played Wilson & Gudas have been pretty quiet is it because Johnston was in the lineup? Nah can't be..
- Vukota

Players like those generally don’t guillotine opposing players every game.🤣

He might care if one of their skilled guys gets taken because of it.
- Vukota

When has that ever actually happened?

When has that ever actually happened?
- eichiefs9

Never. A team has never retaliated for a cheap shot on one of their players. My bad

He might care if one of their skilled guys gets taken out because of it.
- Vukota

When does this happen anymore? Serious question. Against the Rangers Lindgren intentionally drove Eberle’s head directly into the goal post. Our response? Nothing. Tkachuk dives into Lehner last season taking him out of the game and for a few games following. Johnston’s response? Nothing. I’m all for retribution I loved that aspect of the game it created rivalries. If I thought it were more than a remote possibility of Johnston “retaliating” I would be all for him being in the line up. With that said it almost never happens in today’s NHL it’s not 1980 anymore.

Never. A team has never retaliated for a cheap shot on one of their players. My bad
- Vukota

It's the biggest myth in the world. It seems completely logical in theory, but it literally never happens. Maybe in the 1980's, but not in today's NHL.

Funny thing is Johnston is a much better player then Komarov. Don't tell me about how Komarov kills penalties. They suck at killing penalties just like the power play

It's the biggest myth in the world. It seems completely logical in theory, but it literally never happens. Maybe in the 1980's, but not in today's NHL.
- eichiefs9

Ok

Funny thing is Johnston is a much better player then Komarov. Don't tell me about how Komarov kills penalties. They suck at killing penalties just like the power play
- Vukota

😂

To be fair they both suck. Komarov has been ok on the 4th line minus the last game imo. They’re interchangeably worthless as far as I’m concerned 😂

When does this happen anymore? Serious question. Against the Rangers Lindgren intentionally drove Eberle’s head directly into the goal post. Our response? Nothing. Tkachuk dives into Lehner last season taking him out of the game and for a few games following. Johnston’s response? Nothing. I’m all for retribution I loved that aspect of the game it created rivalries. If I thought it were more than a remote possibility of Johnston “retaliating” I would be all for him being in the line up. With that said it almost never happens in today’s NHL it’s not 1980 anymore.
- Cptmjl

No its not like that anymore unfortunately but Barry still seems to think there is still a need and he likes to have muscle in the lineup, he has been that way since he got here, so it shouldn't come as a surprise when Johnston dresses for games like this. You've seen other teams do it to when they play the Isles and Johnston is in the lineup. So I would say other coaches still think its important as well.

No its not like that anymore unfortunately but Barry still seems to think there is and he likes to have muscle in the lineup, he has been that way since he got here, so it shouldn't come as a surprise when Johnston dresses for games like this. You've seen other teams do it to when they play the Isles and Johnston is in the lineup. So I would say other coaches still think its important as well.
- Vukota

I’m not debating whether coaches do it or not or what their logic is I’m just pointing out that particular thought process is dated and rarely applies to today’s NHL. I wish that aspect of the game still existed and happened more regularly rather than maybe a couple times a year though the entire nhl.

In today’s nhl when a player retaliates for the reasons you mentioned they’re labeled an animal or cave man. In the 80’s they were heroes. Times have changed man.

As you should
- Vukota