KessMeRandy
Registered User
- Nov 25, 2013
- 395
- 9
Curious what you guys think. I know that the Buds are on a roll. As an optimistic Leafs fan I am happy to see this happening. The pessimist in me points to the very mediocre CA/60, CF/60 and CF% of the "top" and "third" lines and notes that the streak will probably come to an abrupt halt. I think that the winning streak is born out of a swagger and a systems deployment more than strictly line combos (Santo-Naz notwithstanding). Our muddied special teams combos point to this (we are generally good regardless of the mix of players). What I mean is, this team seems to be a TEAM rather than a collection of four three man units and three two man units. Here's my suggestion for spreading possession and scoring on all four lines (assuming scoring and possession aren't casually linked). Winnik at 4C is odd, although he is serviceable and can move up and down the lineup. I like the look better with Komarov on line 2 than Winnik and am a party to the thought that having three better players on the ice (a la Panik Winnik Clarkson) with one who is out of his natural position is better than having a line centred by a sub-par natural centre (Smith).
Santorelli-Kadri-Kessel
JVR-Bozak-Komarov
Lupul-Holland-Booth
Panik-Winnik-Clarkson
Franson-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Polak (Holzer)
Reilly-Robidas
Just don't like that "top" line anymore. Even when they are scoring rampantly they are still allowing more than they produce. Imagine Kessel with all of that o-zone time generated by Santo and Naz. Imagine JVR and Komarov (who play very well on the PK together when they do play together) cycling to Bozak out front. Imagine a pure scoring line in Holland's in sheltered minutes, and a relatively good 4th line in possession!
Santorelli-Kadri-Kessel
JVR-Bozak-Komarov
Lupul-Holland-Booth
Panik-Winnik-Clarkson
Franson-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Polak (Holzer)
Reilly-Robidas
Just don't like that "top" line anymore. Even when they are scoring rampantly they are still allowing more than they produce. Imagine Kessel with all of that o-zone time generated by Santo and Naz. Imagine JVR and Komarov (who play very well on the PK together when they do play together) cycling to Bozak out front. Imagine a pure scoring line in Holland's in sheltered minutes, and a relatively good 4th line in possession!