Kane at 100% has never been capable of playing defense-first hockey.
He was physical at least. He drove Vegas crazy. But also couldn't score or defend. Gonna need him to at least do the former this time around.
Draisaitl and Kane together is suicide. Unless McDavid also happens to be there.
Then swap Kane and Henrique.
Optimally I'd like to find a way to have McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, RNH, Henrique, and Kane in the top 6, but that makes things harder further down the lineup.
I'm sure we will at times, but it'll be Hyman out there with them, and I'm not sure it'll happen until there's an emergency.
Draisaitl - McDavid - Hyman
Knob can run this configuration in short spurts and certain situations, and it’s a good one imo. But sadly RNH just can’t handle that responsibility for a full game and certainly not for a whole series. He absolutely withers every time he’s expected to be the main puck carrier on any line. Kane looks the worst when he’s trying to carry the puck too much, and Henrique hasn’t shown much in that regard either from what I’ve seen. That second line would have big problems through the NZ and with their zone entries imo. Probably have to switch Draisaitl and RNH in most situations.
No matter what else happens in the top six, I think Kane has to be on McDavid's wing. Our top offensive attacking threat with the physical Kane who is an option for the pass off of every rush. That big defense of Vegas is going to target McDavid every rush. We need someone to wreck that Vegas defense and be the passing option that can shoot. Flesh it out from there.
Except McDavid and Hyman should be stapled together as their chemistry this year is crazy.
It might not work against the Golden Knight's zone defence. The first line could get shut down without a power forward and shooter willing to beeline in the offensive zone accentuating McDavid's speed game.
You don’t break Hyman and McDavid up under any circumstances. Come on, man.
A lot of balance in those lines but the problem becomes how to distribute minutes.
If the Oil lose the first two games do you reconsider the lines or do you go with "who took you to the dance" to the bitter end?
You suggested tearing apart one of the potent outscoring duos in the NHL this season to start the series. It’s utterly ridiculous and would be an asinine move on Knoblauch’s part.
You go with what works to start and change it if it doesn’t. You don’t break up the best duo in the NHL cause Kane used to be good. If the line goes stale change it up but like. Kane had 3 goals last year in the playoffs. And he is worse this year.
