I am not in the sit Neil camp, yet. I respect what he has done for this team over the years and all, but when people are saying "oh like sitting a 4th liner will change anything". Do you people realize that when our 4th line is stuck in our own zone it gives the other team a lot of momentum ? You also do know momentum is a huge thing in hockey? Because often Neil and his line are stuck in our zone, like against Montreal, and the other teams skate circles around our big slow dmens, and then we get scored on. Neil also tried many weak plays against MTL that gave them the puck like one time he entered the zone and tried a no look drop pass lol, HEY, you're Chris Neil.
I also thought he was chasing the play a lot, some people say he finished checks, but he was finishing them cause he never touched the puck. Over the 3 games I'd say though he's the least of our worries. The biggest concern for this team is the D. Weircioch has been putrid, poor decision making, poor passes, soft along the boards against smaller players, just awful. Cowen and Boro have been fine, Ceci too, but Karlsson and Methot have been meh.
I get so annoyed when Karlsson stands in front of our own net and lets the other players chase the opposing teams like chickens, go battle a little bit, try something. It always results in the other team staying a whole shift in our zone. I'd get a little more mobility in this line-up, it's only 3 games in but still each game is important and I'm getting kinda tired watching our slow dmens. I'd try Wideman if they suck again tonight. We won't go on amazing runs every year so we need wins.
Oh and also, for all the heat they get, I thought Michalek and Chiasson have played very well. Especially Michalek, many people want him gone but if it wasn't for his salary the guy is an amazing pro, a great exemple for the young guys and he looks respected by the team