GDT: 10/9/17 - 7:30PM EDT - Washington vs Tampa Bay

[The Macho King]

I don't even care who the 7th dman is or put Dumont in to take some important faceoffs. Callahan on the fourth line and a rotating winger for Killorn-Johnson is what I want to see.

So basically a PK specialist (who literally only plays PK/random important defensive zone draws)? I could live with that.

 

[Bolt 45]

Good stuff. Point earned that goal with his play all night. I honestly can't choose between Palat/Point/Gourde or Kunitz/Paq/Cally for best line of the night. Both of those lines were on fire. This team looks like it's still got it... now it's simply a matter of putting in the effort for the remaining 79 or so.

 

[Leonardo87]

Oh and Callahan was fantastic. I think it's official that he's back and as good as ever now. I'm amazed how he hasn't appeared to have lost a step yet after all he's been through

What's good about Cally missing all that time, it gave his entire body time to rest, so he is going to have more tire to thread down the road. I mean that may have been the best game I've seen him play in awhile. I still like him to get some PP time and about 15 or 16 mins of ice time. But it's only 3 games and he is making a difference which I'm happy.

 

[PhoenixDog]

Is Namestnikov still playing with Stamkos and Kucherov? Do you see him lasting there majority of the year? I saw his TOI was about 5 mins less than both.

 

[FinnLightning26]

So basically a PK specialist (who literally only plays PK/random important defensive zone draws)? I could live with that.

Yeah. That way our fourth line has some scoring potential and we can put in good player for Killer's and TJ's line. It's not that many additional minutes because you have so many guys you can rotate on that wing.

 

[The Macho King]

Is Namestnikov still playing with Stamkos and Kucherov? Do you see him lasting there majority of the year? I saw his TOI was about 5 mins less than both.

Kucherov and Stamkos were double shifting with Johnson-Killorn (we rolled 11F tonight), and obviously got a lot of time on the ice in overtime. Namestnikov stayed in the normal rotation (but should be off of the top PP IMO).

Put Point and Palat on the top PP with Stamkos and Kucherov with Hedman on the point. Load it up with our best players and dare them to stop us.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Is Namestnikov still playing with Stamkos and Kucherov? Do you see him lasting there majority of the year? I saw his TOI was about 5 mins less than both.

I believe so. It's really the only place he's looked at home in his nhl career.

 

[Bolt 45]

Is Namestnikov still playing with Stamkos and Kucherov? Do you see him lasting there majority of the year? I saw his TOI was about 5 mins less than both.

Hard to say... probably, although I could see Kuch or Stammer getting shuffled around at various points in the year. I'd bet that line stays as it is for most of the year. We went with one less forward tonight, so Kuch and Stammer were getting extra minutes on other lines, while Namestnikov wasn't.

 

[Hinterland]

Is Namestnikov still playing with Stamkos and Kucherov? Do you see him lasting there majority of the year? I saw his TOI was about 5 mins less than both.

He is...and if he keeps it up...then yes. I don't see why he shouldn't stay on that line both PP and EV. He'll always play "limited" minutes though...especially towards the end of close games when Stamkos and Kucherov get double shifted and when Cooper only puts his top players on the PP.

 

[The Macho King]

Also - everyone needs to get f***ing avatars. Especially DFC - how long has it been man? COME ON.

Side note - I want to talk about unsung hero Yanni Gourde. He hasn't hit the scoresheet a ton, but he's been a big part of a lot of goals either by digging out pucks or screening the goaltender. I see you Yanni - you doing A-OK.

 

[Obviously]

Serg had a fire under his ass in the third. I think the kid is going to be a stud sooner than later. Koekkoek looks slow and unaware in person, doubt he's with the club much longer

 

[DFC]

Is Namestnikov still playing with Stamkos and Kucherov? Do you see him lasting there majority of the year? I saw his TOI was about 5 mins less than both.

I don't see any of our lines staying consistent throughout the year.

 

[MattM92]

Much, much better tonight. PP looked much better. 5v5 looked much better. Still really sloppy and scrambly in the defensive zone. That needs to be cleaned up. Vasi still had to make about 4 incredible saves in the first couple periods to keep it close.

Also, poor Sergachev. Had glory on his stick and tapped it wide. You’ll get it kid, keep at it.

 

[DFC]

Koekkoek played 3 minutes tonight.

 

[RussianGuyovich]

the seventh d-man issue will work itself out. this is serge's audition, which i think he is acing, but someone is getting traded or waived.

 

[Sky04]

Namestnikov should be permanently stapled to the wing, he's far better there than he ever was as a center. Tunnel vision is ok from a winger, as a center where you need to see your outlets? nope.

Gourde is definitely proving his place in the top-6, the kid is non-stop hussle.

 

[MattM92]

I feel really bad for Koekkoek. Guy just can’t seem to get a chance. Last time I remember him consistently in the lineup was against the Pens in the playoffs, and he showed very well. Since then he just hasn’t gotten a fair shot.

 

[The Macho King]

I feel really bad for Koekkoek. Guy just can’t seem to get a chance. Last time I remember him consistently in the lineup was against the Pens in the playoffs, and he showed very well. Since then he just hasn’t gotten a fair shot.

I was wondering if he played wing tonight.

3 minutes and each shift he went for a walk. I don't know what's up but he's a bust.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Great comeback against a strong team!

 

[The Gongshow]

That 4th line of Callahan-Paq-Kunitz is fantastic, keep them together.

The Point line still looks good/dangerous and Stammer/Kuch is decent-to-fantastic at times.

Just rotate the extra forward in with Jonny and Killer. Tonights lines were gelling

 

[HoseEmDown]

Koekkoek played 3 minutes tonight.

Dotchin 12, apparently the answer to our defensive problems is to just play Hedman and Stralman 25+ a night.

 

[PaulGG]

That Cally line is the best upgrade over last year. Brown is odd man out now.

 

[PaulGG]

So far Serg is better than Koek or Dotckin has shown the this year or last. Good problem to have. Sustr is not bad either. Wouldn’t be shocked if we trade somebody mid season

 

[LightningStrikes]

Point's improvements are a pleasant surprise as well. The kid's been crazy solid so far!

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Dotchin 12, apparently the answer to our defensive problems is to just play Hedman and Stralman 25+ a night.

I was shocked to see the final TOI for the defense.
Stralman 26:03
Hedman 26:00
Coburn. 17:18
Girardi. 15:19
Sergachev 12:40
Dotchin 12:01
Koekkoek. 3:09

That's a really big gap between the #1/#2D and the rest. It's more like how some teams use their top pair even if Stralman and Hedman were paired with just about everyone at one time or another. Coburn and Girardi were actually rather effective with their more limited minutes.

But I think it also helped that the forwards took their own defensive responsibilities seriously as well.