Ryan Wilson: Perhaps the third line could just... play better?

L3 was invisible for the first game.

JJ was obviously JJ. The team performance was solid. There were instances MTL didn't look like they belonged on the same ice. Carey Price did his thing and that's all there is to it. PP has to capitalize more, but they had zone time and created legitimate opportunities. Murray played well, but I'm still a proponent of Jarry getting the nod.

We were a top tier possession team before the injuries started to hit. I don't think we're as good/complete as the Bruins or Tampa Bay, but we're not scrubs either and at least in TB's case, Sullivan should be able to out coach Cooper. We just need to get our skates under us and beat off some rust.
- Victoro311

I'm talking about what happened last game. After a dominant first, Montreal adjusted and was pretty even. A healthy Pens and Habs team are both elite possession teams so that should cancel out. I don't expect that to be a big advantage this series.

Here's the data. Add periods 2 through overtime and it's fairly even, Pens just jumped to a massive advantage in the 1st.

https://www.naturalstattr...eason=20192020&game=30021

So while I've been advocating strong for Hornqvist on the PP and feel RW generally undervalues him, I do agree he has a point Hornqvist as a possession driver has slipped. It would give Sid's line a different look though and occupy the physical defensemen who want to take shots at Sid and Jake. Since the McCann line gets skipped some anyways, maybe at least give Hornqvist some shifts on the top line and give the Habs 2 very different looks to defend, then go with what works better.

So I watched the game twice. I was kind of surprised at Zucker's play. He has a reputation of hounding to the puck alot and I felt he was holding back and playing very conservative...

The 1st goal wasn't Murray's fault. But the next two were. Yhe 2nd was above his glove and he barely even made a move for it.

It was announced that Murray has the net again tonight...

Let's hope he does better!

I know this sounds like a bad idea because of how good the 4th line is, but I wouldn't mind seeing Tanev get a few shifts with Sid. I could see him help get in Price's face.

Don’t expect to see any changes in the lineup nor do I expect to see anything different in terms of strategy. HCMS is set in his way, some say stubborn, but has earned that right. A loss tonight almost insures a loss for the series and I am sure he feels the pressure. Can’t keep living in the past. This is a, What have you done for me lately?, league. Time is running out on Sid and Geno. A loss tonight might mean time is running out for HCMS as well. Hope the boys find a way to win this evening or there will be a pall over the burg come sunrise.

I’m sure sullivan ripped a strip off malkin...deserved it.

I would go with option 2, Rust with Sid. I would also put Sheary with Blueger and put either ZAR or Tanev with McCann.

I’d try McCann on the top line and let Marleau centre the third with Sheary and Hornqvist.

Let me know the next time Sheary wins a board battle. I'll wait.

Also, Price saves everything he sees. We have one guy whose bread-and-butter is getting in the goalie's face, so let's put him on the end of the bench?

I don't really care about heat maps. I care about scoring playoff goals. Sheary has 2 goals and 7 assists in his last 35 playoff games. Horny has 10 goals and 11 assists in his last 34 playoff games. 21 > 9. You say Horny is in decline? Horny has 17G 15A in 52 games THIS year. Sheary? 10G 13A in 63 games. 32 > 23.

We know Murray is starting. Let's see how stubborn Sully can be with the other two boneheaded lineup choices. It's the Sully limbo!

I’d try McCann on the top line and let Marleau centre the third with Sheary and Hornqvist.
- stackthepads

I forgot that Marleau plays center. This could be a viable option if a real shake up is needed.

I know this sounds like a bad idea because of how good the 4th line is, but I wouldn't mind seeing Tanev get a few shifts with Sid. I could see him help get in Price's face.
- Rinosaur

I think it's a good idea. I've advocated for that going back to early in the season before Sid had the surgery. I just want somebody on the 1st line to open up space for the skill guys.

Let me know the next time Sheary wins a board battle. I'll wait.

Also, Price saves everything he sees. We have one guy whose bread-and-butter is getting in the goalie's face, so let's put him on the end of the bench?

I don't really care about heat maps. I care about scoring playoff goals. Sheary has 2 goals and 7 assists in his last 35 playoff games. Horny has 10 goals and 11 assists in his last 34 playoff games. 21 > 9. You say Horny is in decline? Horny has 17G 15A in 52 games THIS year. Sheary? 10G 13A in 63 games. 32 > 23.

We know Murray is starting. Let's see how stubborn Sully can be with the other two boneheaded lineup choices. It's the Sully limbo!
- Hockey66

I've been saying the same thing. Sheary has 2G in his last 35 playoff games while largely playing with Sidney Crosby. Everybody likes to talk about trends. That's a pretty sh!tty trend.

Another trend... Murray is 1 - 9 in his last 10 playoff games.

Let me know the next time Sheary wins a board battle. I'll wait.

Also, Price saves everything he sees. We have one guy whose bread-and-butter is getting in the goalie's face, so let's put him on the end of the bench?

I don't really care about heat maps. I care about scoring playoff goals. Sheary has 2 goals and 7 assists in his last 35 playoff games. Horny has 10 goals and 11 assists in his last 34 playoff games. 21 > 9. You say Horny is in decline? Horny has 17G 15A in 52 games THIS year. Sheary? 10G 13A in 63 games. 32 > 23.

We know Murray is starting. Let's see how stubborn Sully can be with the other two boneheaded lineup choices. It's the Sully limbo!
- Hockey66

Those bold parts are both frightening and I’m sad to say you will likely be waiting a long time for that first one to happen.
Edited to changer “bolder” to “bold”

We are talking about the need for more guys to go to the net, and realizing there may not be another ideal top 6 option. Sheary is a playoff no show generally and Hornqvist is losing a bit and is probably best slotted as a bottom 6 PP specialist

Even though it's a bit of a Hail Mary, I wish we would have kept Poulin around. He's got more skill than any of the options we're discussing and he runs people over (at least in juniors) to get to pucks in the crease. Might not have worked, but even with a healthy lineup we seem to need another option let alone if a couple top 6 wings go down.

We are talking about the need for more guys to go to the net, and realizing there may not be another ideal top 6 option. Sheary is a playoff no show generally and Hornqvist is losing a bit and is probably best slotted as a bottom 6 PP specialist

Even though it's a bit of a Hail Mary, I wish we would have kept Poulin around. He's got more skill than any of the options we're discussing and he runs people over (at least in juniors) to get to pucks in the crease. Might not have worked, but even with a healthy lineup we seem to need another option let alone if a couple top 6 wings go down.
- Tojo.

Yeah, I'm not saying Horny should be Crosby's RW, but he should be playing more and be on the first PP unit like you imply. I would honestly put just about any other winger on Crosby's line other than Sheary. We could definitely use a grinder on that line to keep the cycle going and lessen the burden on Crosby to be the grinder. Like someone else said, someone to draw attention and open up room for the skill of Crosby and Guentzel to do their thing. Who thought it was a good idea to give Crosby two soft snipers?

I was so happy when we traded away Sheary - I can't believe we brought back a playoffs no-show. Just imagine what a guy like Justin Williams would do on that line... He's about to turn 39 and I'd take him any day of the week over Sheary. He also makes less than 1/4 of what Sheary does.

I don't think anyone brought this up yet in the forum, but does anyone else think Guetzel looks no where near his old self in terms of skill and shooting? Not saying he shouldn't be a bit rusty following the injury and layoff, but I think that plays a little bit of a factor.

It also is another reason why I feel Sheary shouldn't be on the top line

I don't think anyone brought this up yet in the forum, but does anyone else think Guetzel looks no where near his old self in terms of skill and shooting? Not saying he shouldn't be a bit rusty following the injury and layoff, but I think that plays a little bit of a factor.

It also is another reason why I feel Sheary shouldn't be on the top line
- 123Kid

He took a pretty hard hit in the Philly game IIRC. Hopefully it didn't reaggravate his shoulder. It probably doesn't help when Weber takes liberties with him after the whistle.

I don't think anyone brought this up yet in the forum, but does anyone else think Guetzel looks no where near his old self in terms of skill and shooting? Not saying he shouldn't be a bit rusty following the injury and layoff, but I think that plays a little bit of a factor.

It also is another reason why I feel Sheary shouldn't be on the top line
- 123Kid

He looks like a guy that missed 8 months. He's taken some big hits already. It's a sound strategy. Knock around Sid's wings and keep them away from Price.

On another note... I think Marleau looks like burnt toast. Pretty much like Matt Cullen in his last go around here.

@stackthepads

I agree, move MCann to top line and Sheary down. Let the big guy center the third line.

He looks like a guy that missed 8 months. He's taken some big hits already. It's a sound strategy. Knock around Sid's wings and keep them away from Price.

On another note... I think Marleau looks like burnt toast. Pretty much like Matt Cullen in his last go around here.
- madmike71

Yeah, I agree. I can't see Sully benching Marleau, but you have to wonder if Rod or Lafferty wouldn't give you a spark.

I just think a change to bring Laff in for Sheary but not on Sid’s wing. I think the jump the team would get from him being on the ice is worth it!!

Blah blah blah. (frank) sheary. Put Hornqvist with Sid.