100% correct. Said it before years start this we need to happen at some point and we are here. I'm ok with BB on Bo's line too but I really think the lotto line should be allowed time to get in the groove and get out of the funk. Would love to see Garland and Hogs withy Bo. Such hard workers digging pucks out of corners and creating space for Bo. I think it could work well.
- LordHumungous

They've been terrible as a line this year:

Falling

The Lotto Line

At this point in the season, there are 69 NHL forward lines that have played at least 40 minutes together as a trio at five-on-five. Of those 69 forwards trios, Vancouver’s vaunted Lotto Line — Pettersson, Miller and Boeser — ranks 69th by expected goal differential, according to MoneyPuck.

That’s a shocking statistic and that’s not even the worst of it.

The Lotto Line’s expected goal differential over 52 minutes of five-on-five ice time is below a 30 percent share. That’s a rate that we’d describe as unplayable, frankly, if not for the fact that Pettersson, Boeser and Miller have a long enough track record of success that we’re rather naturally inclined to extend them the benefit of the doubt to this point.

That benefit probably has to stop now, however, and in fact, the separation of the Lotto Line is inevitable at this point. It’s had a fair bit of run now this season and it just isn’t working.

Pettersson and Miller looked far more dangerous when Garland was put on their line against the Rangers. It was probably their best stretch of the season. That tweak — or something like it — seems like a foregone conclusion at this juncture.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s gone wrong for the Lotto Line. The work rate is there, the forechecking effectiveness is on occasion, too. But there’s just no cycle game, no heavy shifts churning play in a favourable direction for Vancouver.

And as a result, there are spill-over effects that trickle down the lineup, as the Canucks as a whole spend the entire game on their heels in large part because the first line just isn’t clicking.

Individually Pettersson’s form isn’t quite there yet, which is no surprise considering the length of time he missed with a long-term wrist injury last season and his contract standoff during training camp. Pettersson’s pace has returned a bit, but he hasn’t approached his usual standard as he shakes off the rust in the early going.

Boeser, meanwhile, has also been surprisingly quiet. It’s stunning to think that this season — and granted he missed several games at the outset with a nagging injury — Vancouver has yet to score a five-on-five goal with Boeser even simply on the ice. While Boeser’s underlying profile leaves a lot to be desired, he’s also been extremely snake bit. The bounces will come, particularly if Boeser can keep his shot attempt rate up.

Miller, finally, has been the most productive of the trio and probably Vancouver’s second most important forward on balance this season. That’s true, even if Miller’s penchant for risk and reward gambles with the puck infuriates fans to the point that his utility gets a bit overlooked.

There’s a correlation of forces that explain why what worked in the past for this trio hasn’t this season. It’s probably time to retire the line, at least in the short term, or until Pettersson and Boeser more evidently find their game elsewhere in the lineup.

I think you can reunite them once they all get back on track, but having that much of a sink on one line just isn't going to cut it.

You sir...need to shut your hole. Blasphemy talking lotto line breakup nonsense. Get on board with Garland and BB in the top 6 or git gone Donny...


- LordHumungous

The lotto line sucks. Have a look at the athletic. They are the worst line in the entire league this year. Pretty (frank)ing shocking
They can’t be a thing for a few months

They've been terrible as a line this year:



I think you can reunite them once they all get back on track, but having that much of a sink on one line just isn't going to cut it.
- NewYorkNuck

Beat me to it 👍🏻

They've been terrible as a line this year:



I think you can reunite them once they all get back on track, but having that much of a sink on one line just isn't going to cut it.
- NewYorkNuck

Agree. There is nothing to say to reunite the line just yet.

They've been terrible as a line this year:



I think you can reunite them once they all get back on track, but having that much of a sink on one line just isn't going to cut it.
- NewYorkNuck

Sure some good points but how long do you wait for Petey and BB to 'find their game' on different lines. After the first 10 games plus the injury to BB and the slow Start for Pettersson I'm not there on splitting up the lotto line just yet. Green, first of all needs to put them in a position to succeed as well which I'm not sure he has done properly. BB ain't gonna 'find his game' playing with Cockinson on the 3L IMO. Now that we are past the first ten games leave the lotto line alone I think they can get out of it. But the problem with Green is he can't see past line juggling for 2-3 games. The guys are pro's...let them play out of it.

Per batch

Morning skate

Pearson-Horvat-Höglander
Miller-Pettersson-Garland
Podkolzin-Richardinson-Boeser
Bailey-Lammikko-Chiasson

Extras: Motte, Dowling, Petan

OEL-Myers
Hughes-Poolman
Schenn-Hamonic
Hunt-Burroughs

Howdy,

No surprise that everything's basically status quo for the Canucks heading into Friday's game. The new blog sums up the changes on the Nashville side, the weekend for Abbotsford, and Halloween...

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...isit-Vancouver/194/114400