Line Combos: Capitals line combinations

[Lint07]

Hey guys, what do you think will be the Caps line combos to start the season?

Thanks!

Click to read more...

 

[RandyHolt]

If you want to know if Backstrom is playing opening night, why not ask that instead.

 

[Zorak]

Something like that:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Johansson
Wolski-Ribeiro-Perrault
Chimera-Laich-Brouwer
Hendricks-Beagle-Ward
Crabb

Green-Hamrlik
Alzner-Carlson
Orlov-Poti
Schultz
Erskine, Hillen, Kundratek

Holtby
Neuvy

 

[Lint07]

Something like that:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Johansson
Wolski-Ribeiro-Perrault
Chimera-Laich-Brouwer
Hendricks-Beagle-Ward
Crabb

Green-Hamrlik
Alzner-Carlson
Orlov-Poti
Schultz
Erskine, Hillen, Kundratek

Holtby
Neuvy

Do you think Backstrom will be ready to go for opening night? What is the latest on his injury?

 

[Auzzie19]

Leafs fan here. Um, is Forsberg coming to training camp?

He would add another dimension to that second line. Also did Kuznetzov pull a radulov? is he ever coming over?

 

[brs03]

Leafs fan here. Um, is Forsberg coming to training camp?

He would add another dimension to that second line. Also did Kuznetzov pull a radulov? is he ever coming over?

Forsberg wasn't going to come to camp even if it had been in September. Don't see that changing now, as the plan has always been for him to play out his contract this year with Leksands.

Kuznetsov signed a 2 year extension in the KHL, so the expectation is he'll fulfill that and then maybe come over for 14-15. No guarantees though.

 

[strungout]

Pretty sure I saw a f'ing tweet from Bobby Mac that the Caps were not expecting any junior players at camp. Than might have been NA juniors. But I dont expect any to make the team with no preseason games or anything. Have to hit the ground running with NHL'ers ready to go.

 

[fedfed]

Leafs fan here. Um, is Forsberg coming to training camp?

He would add another dimension to that second line. Also did Kuznetzov pull a radulov? is he ever coming over?

Radulov was under NHL contract at the time of departure, so legally they have totally different statuses. But Kuzya has said that he's interested in winning all the big trophies, and that it includes Stanley Cup.

 

[um]

ovechkin-backstrom-laich
johansson-ribeiro-brouwer
chimera-perrault-wolski
hendricks-beagle-ward
crabb

alzner-carlson
hamrlik-green
schultz-orlov
poti
erskine

hotlby
neuvirth

these are the combos id like but it probably wont end up like this

 

[InjuredChoker]

ovechkin-backstrom-laich
johansson-ribeiro-brouwer
chimera-perrault-wolski
hendricks-beagle-ward
crabb

alzner-carlson
hamrlik-green
schultz-orlov
poti
erskine

hotlby
neuvirth

these are the combos id like but it probably wont end up like this

So 3 scoring lines and one shutdown/grinder line?

 

[txpd]

fantasy sports alarm going off here

btw....that 2nd line of wolski-ribeiro-perreault is a hoot. there is not a chance in hell those three get on the ice together. if i just happens as a result of two passing lines during a change, a coach should be fired.

 

[Capitlols]

I'd like to see a top 6 of:
Ovechkin-Ribeiro-Laich
Johansson-Backstrom-Brouwer

Side note, it feels weird doing a line combo w/o Semin.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Ovechkin-Ribeiro-Johansson
Perreault-Backstrom-Brouwer
Chimera-Laich-Ward
Hendricks-Beagle-Crabb
Wolski

Alzner-Carlson
Hamrlik-Green
Orlov-Schultz/Hillen/Erskine/whoever

Holtby

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Do we know if Oates is a 3 scoring line guy, dedicated checking line guy, etc?

 

[QuadrupleDeke]

johansson-ribeiro-brouwer

 

[foundhockey]

I'd like to see a top 6 of:
Ovechkin-Ribeiro-Laich
Johansson-Backstrom-Brouwer

Side note, it feels weird doing a line combo w/o Semin.

It's really weird reading these line combos without Semin's name.

What's the logic behind breaking up Ovie/Backstrom? Is it to make the second line more of a threat?

 

[Capitlols]

It's really weird reading these line combos without Semin's name.

What's the logic behind breaking up Ovie/Backstrom? Is it to make the second line more of a threat?

Yes and Mojo-Backstrom played well in the playoffs.

 

[um]

please explain whats wrong

 

[Fitlanbox]

I still don't get breaking up 8 and 19. To me the chemistry they have together far outweighs any added danger to the second line if they're broken up. I would love to see Oates roll 3 scoring lines to help develop Johansson at center, but I think a likely lineup to start the season is this:

Ovy-Backstrom-Johansson
Laich-Ribeiro-Wolski
Chimera-Beagle/FA-Brouwer
Hendricks-MP85-Ward
Crabb

Alzner-Carlson
Hamrlik-Green
Schultz-Orlov(if ready, Hillen if not)
Poti, Kundratek

If Poti actually is a factor, thats a serious boost to the defense, but I honestly doubt it at this point. I think he may be able to be a decent bottom pairing guy, but as of right now its just too much of a wildcard to really be able to call it. Also, I expect to see Schultz in the opening night roster, and I wouldn't even be surprised if hes paired with Green and we see Hamrlik with Orlov. Beyond Alzer and Carlson, I think pairings are kind of a toss up.

As far as forwards go, I think unless Wolski really looks awful in camp, he probably gets the second line spot instead MP85, but that could easily change. If that happens im honestly not sure how I'd roll lines, because I really prefer to see Laich in a scoring roll on the wing than a checking one at C, but with the roster as is there may not end up being a truly viable way around as I think Johansson has a top 6 roll at wing locked down. You move up Brouwer if Laich does end up as 3C though.

 

[RandyHolt]

I think we see Laich at center.

After all the efforts a year ago to sell him to us as a center, I don't see that having changed.

I am sure he will be quick to tell people he is angry from our playoff loss.

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

Yes and Mojo-Backstrom played well in the playoffs.

I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes, but Mojo was worse in the postseason than he was in the regular season.

 

[Hivemind]

Assuming Nicky is healthy and Orlov isn't.

Ovechkin - Backstrom - Johansson
Wolski/Perreault - Ribeiro - Brouwer
Chimera - Laich - Ward
Hendricks - Beagle - Crabb
Perreault/Wolski

Alzner - Carlson
Hamrlik - Green
Schultz - Hillen
Erskine, Poti

Holtby
Neuvirth

IR: Orlov​

 

[Langway]

Neuvirthiswhere?

Johansson was pretty decent against Boston but dreadful against NYR.

 

[Zoidberg Jesus]

While we're talking about lineups, how do you guys think the shootout lineup will look? Here's the stats on our top guys by percentage:

Hendricks: 8/12, 66.7%
Wolski: 25/58, 43.1%
Ribeiro: 21/55, 38.2%
Backstrom: 8/25, 32.0%
Ovechkin: 20/65, 30.8%

Might we actually see a Caps shootout lineup without Ovechkin or Backstrom? I'd find that weirdly hilarious.

 

[Brad Tolliver]

Forsberg-Hendricks-Kuznetsov
Ovechkin-Hendricks-Galiev
Laich-Hendricks-Wilson
Barber-Backstrom-Mitchell
Ribeiro
Hamill

Alzner-Carlson
Orlov-Kundratek
Schultz-Schultz
Poti

Holtby
Grubauer