James Tanner: Coyotes Score and Even Win!

Watched most of the game. Hayton looks very legit, confident play to get that assist. Like you said, two solid lines but should be alright as one of them will be getting a mismatch each game against the bulk of the league.

Watched most of the game. Hayton looks very legit, confident play to get that assist. Like you said, two solid lines but should be alright as one of them will be getting a mismatch each game against the bulk of the league.
- lonnyBohonos

That`s what sucks, because otherwise the team is really solid. But depth is useless if your best line is getting crushed every night. Which hasn`t happened yet, but appears to be their biggest concern.

No call out for predicting the exact score?? Where’s the respect?? 😁

Coyotes looked awesome last night. Hayton has flashes of being the best player on the team, but also....being a rookie. Still super pumped...they better not take him out next game!

Also, this idea that the top line is going to get worked once we are on the road is simply not true. What makes you think that other teams will choose to put their top offensive line against our top line??? That’s a key assumption in your analysis and it’s false. What makes the coyotes a playoff performer is the fact that all 4 lines can hold the top line in check (at least somewhat) and the Kessel line will likely get the second line and will dominate.

(** of course there are key exceptions like the Bruins, Flyers, Kings...where their top offensive center is also their top defensive center).

No call out for predicting the exact score?? Where’s the respect?? 😁

Coyotes looked awesome last night. Hayton has flashes of being the best player on the team, but also....being a rookie. Still super pumped...they better not take him out next game!

Also, this idea that the top line is going to get worked once we are on the road is simply not true. What makes you think that other teams will choose to put their top offensive line against our top line??? That’s a key assumption in your analysis and it’s false. What makes the coyotes a playoff performer is the fact that all 4 lines can hold the top line in check (at least somewhat) and the Kessel line will likely get the second line and will dominate.

(** of course there are key exceptions like the Bruins, Flyers, Kings...where their top offensive center is also their top defensive center).
- Dahlmanyotes

Most top lines in hockey face other top lines. The days of throwing a checking line out against the top line are pretty much over.

Most top lines in hockey face other top lines. The days of throwing a checking line out against the top line are pretty much over.
- James_Tanner

While I completely agree that a fourth checking line is ineffective and rarely deployed, do you have stats to prove that the home team is purposely throwing their top offensive line out against their top offensive line?

Honestly I think your argument is missing logic. What would be the point of home ice advantage and matching lines if the everyone was just putting top line against top line?

That’s not reality. The home team will try to throw their top line out against Soderbergs or Richardson’s, and realize they aren’t that easy to score against, and meanwhile Steps line will get better matchups.

What the coyotes lack in top line talent, they make up for in depth and I truly believe it is a winning strategy. Time will tell...

Remember the time James got owned by Bill Meltzer in his own blog?

Having a 1-2 record is not an excellent start to the season. Just can't exclude scoring and ignore it. Might as well say it's an excellent start to the season except for the winning.

While I completely agree that a fourth checking line is ineffective and rarely deployed, do you have stats to prove that the home team is purposely throwing their top offensive line out against their top offensive line?

Honestly I think your argument is missing logic. What would be the point of home ice advantage and matching lines if the everyone was just putting top line against top line?

That’s not reality. The home team will try to throw their top line out against Soderbergs or Richardson’s, and realize they aren’t that easy to score against, and meanwhile Steps line will get better matchups.

What the coyotes lack in top line talent, they make up for in depth and I truly believe it is a winning strategy. Time will tell...
- Dahlmanyotes

Look at last night's game. Richardson played the most against the Karlsson line. Maybe it was one of those rare games?

While I completely agree that a fourth checking line is ineffective and rarely deployed, do you have stats to prove that the home team is purposely throwing their top offensive line out against their top offensive line?

Honestly I think your argument is missing logic. What would be the point of home ice advantage and matching lines if the everyone was just putting top line against top line?

That’s not reality. The home team will try to throw their top line out against Soderbergs or Richardson’s, and realize they aren’t that easy to score against, and meanwhile Steps line will get better matchups.

What the coyotes lack in top line talent, they make up for in depth and I truly believe it is a winning strategy. Time will tell...
- Dahlmanyotes

No man, depending on the strength of your top line, you're going to make different decisions. The Leafs probably don't care to line match vs the Coyotes, as long as they get one of their best lines out to neutralize the 'yotes top lines.

But the Coyotes, if they are at home, are sure as hell going to try and keep the Keller line away from one of the Leafs two number-one lines.

If you're a team with a weak top line, you're going to try and keep it away from other team's top lines. If you're top line is dominant, they that's the line you want to neutralize the oppositions best lines. I guess you could look up the TOI and make a chart, but this just seems like common sense.

"Though I think their first line needs to swap out a Stepan for a Matthews-style player in order to be truly effective longterm (good luck with that). I mean, it may be super-obvious, but the Coyotes don't have a #1 centre and you can't really do anything in the NHL without one."

i really thought that was gonna be Strome
i'm surprised they lost patience with him

What's the early verdict on Kessel?

No man, depending on the strength of your top line, you're going to make different decisions. The Leafs probably don't care to line match vs the Coyotes, as long as they get one of their best lines out to neutralize the 'yotes top lines.

But the Coyotes, if they are at home, are sure as hell going to try and keep the Keller line away from one of the Leafs two number-one lines.

If you're a team with a weak top line, you're going to try and keep it away from other team's top lines. If you're top line is dominant, they that's the line you want to neutralize the oppositions best lines. I guess you could look up the TOI and make a chart, but this just seems like common sense.
- James_Tanner

Jim, if you watch a lot of hockey you'll see that it differs from game to game. Doesn't make sense to not want your top line to have to defend against the other teams top line. You want to play more in the other teams end, not 50/50 or worse. It depends on how many good lines a team has. If your opponent is a one line team than why play your top line against them? There also a thing called score effects with effects matchups also.

Remember the time James got owned by Bill Meltzer in his own blog?
- Gertner

Knock it off, it’s not funny and quite annoying after the first 25 times.

Knock it off, it’s not funny and quite annoying after the first 25 times.
- Makita

Yeah but after about another 100 times it will be funny again. You've got to hand it to this guy in terms of dedication.

Jim, if you watch a lot of hockey you'll see that it differs from game to game. Doesn't make sense to not want your top line to have to defend against the other teams top line. You want to play more in the other teams end, not 50/50 or worse. It depends on how many good lines a team has. If your opponent is a one line team than why play your top line against them? There also a thing called score effects with effects matchups also.
- MJL

I agree, this appears to be exactly what I'm saying. If I'm playing against the Coyotes, I know my top line is almost certainly better than theirs. So why would I allow them to get an advantage against my other lines? I know my best player is better than their best player, so I'd match them up.

I think it's funny

I agree, this appears to be exactly what I'm saying. If I'm playing against the Coyotes, I know my top line is almost certainly better than theirs. So why would I allow them to get an advantage against my other lines? I know my best player is better than their best player, so I'd match them up.
- James_Tanner

You think it is an advantage. For example, the Flyers can play the Couturier line against the Coyotes top line. Couturier is a Selke level center. They then have the Hayes/Giroux line to play against a weaker Coyotes line. Head to head top line matchups is not always the best way to go. Like I said, if you watch enough hockey, you'll see that is the case.

You think it is an advantage. For example, the Flyers can play the Couturier line against the Coyotes top line. Couturier is a Selke level center. They then have the Hayes/Giroux line to play against a weaker Coyotes line. Head to head top line matchups is not always the best way to go. Like I said, if you watch enough hockey, you'll see that is the case.
- MJL

hate to break it to you dude, but whatever line that Couturier is on, that's the Flyers #1 line.

hate to break it to you dude, but whatever line that Couturier is on, that's the Flyers #1 line.
- James_Tanner

there's different ways to interpret that. Personally I usually consider the line that plays the most at 5-on-5 as being the top line

hate to break it to you dude, but whatever line that Couturier is on, that's the Flyers #1 line.
- James_Tanner

That's your opinion and really doesn't change anything about what I stated.