I'd have to go back and look at it, but part of the problem with our D combinations is the usage changed with Wideman in the lineup.
When Cowen's with Boro, they take the toughest deployment, which opens things up for Ceci-Wier and Karlsson-Methot.
When Wideman is in the lineup, Cowen and him get sheltered (when together) and Cowen sees spot time up the lineup.
The question is this; does taking some of the defensive starts away from Methot- Karlsson and Wier-Ceci at the sacrifice of Boro and Cowen getting hemmed into their zone help overall, or is it better to have them take more of the Dzone starts and allow Cowen-Wideman some softer mins to thrive in.
I don't recall, but I think the top 4s performance (good or bad) hasn't really correlated with the bottom pairs deployment, so I'd rather Wideman in the lineup.
I'm starting to think a Boro-Ceci tandem could be the solution.
Methot-Karlsson Worked in the past, give them offensive mins
Boro-Ceci Use this as a shutdown pair. Both are competent defensively, and Ceci adds the puck movement
Cowen-Wideman Slowly move them towards neutral deployment and see how much Wideman can handle.