Matt Karash: Game #14 vs. Cal: Best win so far this season

Matt was this McClemant, Skinner, Semin line a fluke with Peters trying to mix and match a line to cherry pick some match ups? Or did we stumble into some form of hockey alchemy that Peters need to revisit. I havent seen Semin look that comfortable or contribute like that all season. Do we see this again?

Any reason why Tlusty played only 10 mins?

Any reason why Tlusty played only 10 mins?
- Not_Yan

I still think he's not 100% after the JJ hit last week.

I am more than ok with Eric playing a great 2 way game instead of piling up the points. Leave that to Skinner, Nash and the others right now. Here's a question though; where does Jordan fit in when he comes back?

Any reason why Tlusty played only 10 mins?
- Not_Yan

You play what Peters thinks you should play that night. There seems to be 0 'Well, he's struggling, but we'll keep putting him on the 1st because of who he is.'

It's absolute craziness the line combos that come over the board. But it's exciting too, for fans seeing wacky things like Skinner-McClement-Semin, and probably for the players too. Knowing that if they are feeling it on a night to night basis, they (or their line) are going to get bumped up to a spot where they can take advantage of it.

Or something. Who knows what Peters is actually thinking.

ok thanks

Matt was this McClemant, Skinner, Semin line a fluke with Peters trying to mix and match a line to cherry pick some match ups? Or did we stumble into some form of hockey alchemy that Peters need to revisit. I havent seen Semin look that comfortable or contribute like that all season. Do we see this again?
- Haunski

Glad someone brought this up. I was going to (and still might) write about this in a catch up blog if/when I find time.

I think the genesis of it was very simply Peters mixing and matching to find something that worked possibly also with a dose of demoting Skinner (invisible) and Semin (turnover machine) for a horrible 1st period.

As for going forward, I am skeptical that this is a long-term thing. I like McClement, and think he is a great player, but historically and clearly from what I have seen this year, he just does not have enough finishing ability to convert enough for that line. You even saw that yesterday. Most blatant was the time he smartly sent straight to the front of the net, had Semin feed the puck right in front of him but somehow was in a position to only kick at it instead of using his stick to finish a nice pass. He also rang the post from 15 feet out on a rebound with a gaping net in front of him. But scouting reports and skill sets aside, the line, all 3 of them pretty much for every single shift was absolutely phenomenal on Tuesday night for almost 2 periods. Based on that, I don't see why you wouldn't go back to them on Thursday.

But here is the biggest thing for me going forward. I think it could be a HUGE clue to chemistry and roles. The potential issue with Skinner/EStaal/Semin is that all 3 of those guys have a preference to play with the puck on their stick. McClement plays more of a simple checking line game. He quietly did the dirty work incredibly well. He won pucks (both faceoffs and board battles) every shift. This means the group gets to play offense (required for scoring goals). After he won pucks, he did not try to morph into a playmaker because of his new line mates. Instead, whenever possible he got the puck to his more skilled line mates who are much more likely to make a goal happen. Then last but not least, once the puck was in good hands he went to the front of the net. This takes 1 defender with him (have to cover the player parked in front of the goalie regardless of finishing ability), makes a mess for the goalie (big screen on Skinner goal) and opens up more room for his skilled line mates.

When you net it out, McClement's simple hockey did 3 things:
1) Let Skinner/Semin play offense more.
2) Took some defense with him to front of net to open up more space.
3) Made a mess in front of the goalie.

So where I am going...I think there is a lot to glean for this from Eric Staal. He does not need to suddenly transform himself into a checking line player and trade in all of his finishing ability and skill. BUT...If he can make an adjustment to play a bit of a secondary role in terms of holding the puck and also be willing to hang out in/around the crease while letting Skinner and Semin buzz around, the team might just find magic. If you think about it, it really isn't that different from the Tlusty/EStaal/Semin run. Tlusty is a wing obviously but pretty nearly played the McClement role except with finishing ability. He won pucks on the boards, got it to EStaal or Semin and then went and waited where goals happen until the puck showed up. Eric Staal is a bigger body with arguably even more finishing ability. The challenge is going to be his tendency to want to flare out from the front of the net to a shooting position instead of staying in the trenches and just waiting for the puck to show up.

Eric Staal is playing pretty good hockey right now, despite being leapfrogged for the 3 stars lately by a number of other great performances. And he seems comfortable and fully bought in to Peters' system. Like I said earlier, I think you ride Skinner/McClement/Semin while it is working. But at some point, can Peters/Brind'Amour/EStaal work the video to build some of the McClement specifics into EStaal's higher end skill set?

Sorry for writing a blog in a comment...

I have to admit the best game of the season thus far. After suffering through October I'm happy to have a team playing that I can cheer for. The juror for me is still out on Semin. I think he is way overrated for his cost and I really wish he would actually show up and play instead of just skating around. If he has turned a corner and can work for jay and jeff then cool. Otherwise I would love to put him on waivers and ship him to charolette for a while. Open up the roster spot for the kids that want to play

I have to admit the best game of the season thus far. After suffering through October I'm happy to have a team playing that I can cheer for. The juror for me is still out on Semin. I think he is way overrated for his cost and I really wish he would actually show up and play instead of just skating around. If he has turned a corner and can work for jay and jeff then cool. Otherwise I would love to put him on waivers and ship him to charolette for a while. Open up the roster spot for the kids that want to play
- jfoster16

There's a multitude of reasons why this wouldn't happen...

For starters, Semin is way way too talented to just waive. What if someone claims him? Then you've just lost a valuable asset for nothing. Great work.

He makes $7 million. He makes $7 million whether he plays in the NHL or the AHL. Karmanos is absolutely not going to spend $7 million per season to have a guy play in Charlotte.

There's a multitude of reasons why this wouldn't happen...

For starters, Semin is way way too talented to just waive. What if someone claims him? Then you've just lost a valuable asset for nothing. Great work.

He makes $7 million. He makes $7 million whether he plays in the NHL or the AHL. Karmanos is absolutely not going to spend $7 million per season to have a guy play in Charlotte.
- BINGO!

Your right he is way to talented for what 3 assist and -6 rating with no goals. He has been a big disappointment since signing the 7 year deal. So he is claimed off waivers, which no one would do with his price tag, then great. He gets paid the same no matter were he plays but we need players who will show up on a nightly basis versus what Semin does. He gets claimed his not our problem anymore he goes to the AHL opens up the spot for the young studs who want to be here to play. Either way what are were missing out on, apparently sitting out a couple of games as a healthy extra doesn't mean nothing to him. It's ashame how we talk bout how good he could be if he would just try

Your right he is way to talented for what 3 assist and -6 rating with no goals. He has been a big disappointment since signing the 7 year deal. So he is claimed off waivers, which no one would do with his price tag, then great. He gets paid the same no matter were he plays but we need players who will show up on a nightly basis versus what Semin does. He gets claimed his not our problem anymore he goes to the AHL opens up the spot for the young studs who want to be here to play. Either way what are were missing out on, apparently sitting out a couple of games as a healthy extra doesn't mean nothing to him. It's ashame how we talk bout how good he could be if he would just try
- jfoster16

It's a terrible business move. Not everything about hockey is what happens on the ice. This is a business, and Karmanos is not going to almost triple the salaries of the entire Charlotte Checkers franchise by adding a single player to it.

Great Blog AGAIN, Matt!! This team is pretty interesting, and hard-working, NOW! Unpredictability, has made this team FUN to watch, again!
The always complaining fair-weather "fans", have missed some good hockey games this month! ...and i'm always puzzled that so few take the opportunity to tailgate before (and sometimes after) the games! Our "Eastgate Tailgate" hasn't missed a game in well-over a a year! What's NOT-TO-LIKE?

Great Blog AGAIN, Matt!! This team is pretty interesting, and hard-working, NOW! Unpredictability, has made this team FUN to watch, again!
The always complaining fair-weather "fans", have missed some good hockey games this month! ...and i'm always puzzled that so few take the opportunity to tailgate before (and sometimes after) the games! Our "Eastgate Tailgate" hasn't missed a game in well-over a a year! What's NOT-TO-LIKE?
- randycane

randy I'm loving the games right now after a brutal October it's great...... I hate living in maryland because I miss the tailgates I love them, sigh

What is often missed with underperforming stars, is that they still typically draw the top assignments. So even if Staal-Semin is doing nothing on the top line, they draw the Suter's, Chara's, and Weber's.

That means that Rask, Lindholm, and the rest of the kids don't have to play against them. They get to matchup against 2nd or 3rd pairings, where they can succeed.

You subtract Semin, then you have to put lets say Lindholm in his place. Lindholm now will struggle a bit against top pairings instead of succeeding against second and 3rd pairings. And instead of Lindholm on the 2nd line, we're looking at Boychuk or Terry bumping up. Instead of playing against 3rd pairings and doing alright, they're now struggling against 2nds and with a struggling winger instead of Lindholm, Riley Nash's production takes a hit. On top of that, it also means Brad Malone starts showing up in the lineup again, who struggles against everyone.

It's not a coincidence so many people started playing better when Staal came back. Even if he's only playing okay, he pushes people down the depth chart to where they belong.