Line Combos: 2018 -2019 Line/D Pairing discussions & proposals - II

[DrJustice]

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Johansson
Heinen-Coyle-Wagner
Kuraly-Acciari-Backes

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Moore-Gryz


The only cause for pause is I don't think you can count on Heinen or Coyle shooting the puck enough. Wagner should help by doing the dirty work and putting literally everything on net when given the opportunity.

Heinen was good on the first line but he just doesn't have the speed to take that line to the next level that Pastrnak brings.

 

[PB37]

I think Heinen should get some time on the 2nd line with Krejci and DeBrusk. I really liked the work he and Krejci have done in limited spots so I'm curious to see if they can build on that. Plus, it makes DeBrusk the primary shooter/scorer of that line while Heinen is the swiss army knife and Krejci the playmaker.

Marchand -- Bergeron -- Pasta

DeBrusk -- Krejci -- Heinen

MoJo -- Coyle -- Wagner

Kuraly -- Accari -- Backes

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

I really, really, really wish they'd keep Heinen with Bergeron & Marchand and put Pasta with Krejci but either way it's exciting to see this team getting healthy.

 

[TwineTickler]

He was questioned "how much thought goes onto putting him back on line 1" or something to that effect.... the answer "very little... that's where he's going.. comfort level for him". Goes onto say once Mojo is back they can try different things.

 

[Smitty93]

I get putting Pastrnak back on the 1st line. It's the safe and easy thing to do, but I don't think it puts this team in the best position to succeed in the playoffs.

I'd go:

Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen
DeBrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak
Johansson-Coyle-Wagner
Kuraly-Acciari-Backes

I think this spreads out your offensive talent across three lines, which is going to be important in the playoffs, since both the Leafs and Lightning have three strong lines.

What I expect to see is something like this:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Johansson
Heinen-Coyle-Backes
Kuraly-Acciari-Wagner

I don't think it will be bad, but I'd feel better with the option I proposed.

Truthfully, I think the most important piece is finding a winger that has good chemistry with Coyle. Figure that out first, and then fill in the rest of the pieces.

 

[Blowfish]

I get putting Pastrnak back on the 1st line. It's the safe and easy thing to do, but I don't think it puts this team in the best position to succeed in the playoffs.

I'd go:

Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen
DeBrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak
Johansson-Coyle-Wagner
Kuraly-Acciari-Backes

I think this spreads out your offensive talent across three lines, which is going to be important in the playoffs, since both the Leafs and Lightning have three strong lines.

What I expect to see is something like this:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Johansson
Heinen-Coyle-Backes
Kuraly-Acciari-Wagner

I don't think it will be bad, but I'd feel better with the option I proposed.

Truthfully, I think the most important piece is finding a winger that has good chemistry with Coyle. Figure that out first, and then fill in the rest of the pieces.

Nordstrom playing the fast uptemp smart with pace game Cassidy wants. Plus plays excellent on Pk. Going to be backes who sits. Backes will not play pk or Pp come playoffs.

 

[ON3M4N]

Wonder if Studnicka could be a late addition once his season is over

Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Mojo - Coyle - Studnicka

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Nordstrom playing the fast uptemp smart with pace game Cassidy wants. Plus plays excellent on Pk. Going to be backes who sits. Backes will not play pk or Pp come playoffs.

Nordstrom needs to play like he did last game. I don't see the fast uptempo style from him enough. He was physical last game. He fits well with the 4th line but doesn't show nearly enough to play any higher in the lineup. While I wish the Bruins could keep the 4th line together, I think Wagner needs to slot up on the RW. He has shown some finishing ability this year, and would bring a nice physical element to the third line. That unit would be a good cycling defensive line that may chip in some offense.

 

[TwineTickler]

Wonder if Studnicka could be a late addition once his season is over

Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Mojo - Coyle - Studnicka

That's interesting.... I don't think they'll do it... but that's interesting and now I kind of want it. I think they'll be wary burning a year though and if they aren't pleased with the RW options for 3rd line being Wags/Nords/Backs they will do Cehlarik/Kuhlman or something to that effect

 

[veganbruin]

Soooo is Pasta back?

 

[Smitty93]

Nordstrom playing the fast uptemp smart with pace game Cassidy wants. Plus plays excellent on Pk. Going to be backes who sits. Backes will not play pk or Pp come playoffs.

I'd certainly rather have Backes sitting in the playoffs, but I just don't expect it to happen, so I didn't even bother removing him. I'd rather have Kuhlman or Cehlarik in there instead of either Nordstrom or Backes, but I don't think it will happen.

 

[rocketdan9]

Soooo is Pasta back?

Very very soon

And cassidy already said he will go back with Bergy

Marchand Bergy Pasta
Debrusk Krejci Coyle
Heinen Acciari Wagner
Nordstrom Kuraly Backes

* guess

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Very very soon

And cassidy already said he will go back with Bergy

Marchand Bergy Pasta
Debrusk Krejci Coyle
Heinen Acciari Wagner
Nordstrom Kuraly Backes

* guess

How disappointing.

 

[Greek_physique]

How disappointing.

Is it tho?

In his brief stint, DK with JD and AJ looked good

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Is it tho?

In his brief stint, DK with JD and AJ looked good

Who's AJ?

I do find it a bit disappointing. Pastrnak returning is massive, but I'd prefer him with Krejci. Heinen has fit like a glove with Marchand/Bergeron. Slotting Pastrnak with JDB and Krejci gives the Bruins two lines that can score. It also slots Coyle back down to the third down where he's a better fit.

 

[Greek_physique]

Who's AJ?

I do find it a bit disappointing. Pastrnak returning is massive, but I'd prefer him with Krejci. Heinen has fit like a glove with Marchand/Bergeron. Slotting Pastrnak with JDB and Krejci gives the Bruins two lines that can score. It also slots Coyle back down to the third down where he's a better fit.

Sorry meant Marcus...lol my bad.

I think long term Coyle and Heinen go on same line with Backes. All pretty good 2 way players

 

[sportsvg]

Number one goal should be getting Pasta feeling as comfortable and confident as possible by putting the puck in the net a few times before the playoffs start, playing with Bergy is the best way to do that.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I really, really, really wish they'd keep Heinen with Bergeron & Marchand and put Pasta with Krejci but either way it's exciting to see this team getting healthy.

This is where I am.

I would prefer they keep Heinen with Marchand and Bergeron. The idea that Heinen’s lack of speed is hindering the first line is false. It’s not supported by any of the numbers, that line has been all over the puck and great defensively.

I think that Heinen will be fine with either DK or with Coyle on the 3rd line, but I want the B’s to have the 4th line, plus three other lines that are all threats. Not the 4th line, one awesome line and two pretty good ones.

I would go:

63-37-43
74-46-88
90-13-14
52-55-20/42

What will happen:

63-37-88
64-46-43/90
43/90-13-42
52-55-14

If you start the games with Heinen on the first line in the playoffs and then you are down a goal in the 3rd, and want to go back to 63-37-88, you can. If you are getting balanced scoring from all three lines in the Top 9, you don’t change.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I wanted Pastrnak on Krejci’s line, but after seeing the chemistry Krejci and Debrusk had with Mojo, I don’t mind them putting Pastrnak back on Bergy’s line. Heinen will help out Coyle.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

Marchand Bergy Pasta
Debrusk Krejci Mojo
Heinen Coyle Wagner
Nordstrom Kuraly Backes/Accari

Been calling for Wags to move up for awhile, finally ppl are coming around to it. The 4th line may be the most offensively challenged guys ever but they only need to hit, harass and contain. Coyle needs some help and those guys will do it for him, he should be better. Krech line showed good signs initially together. Top line, no need to even say anything.

 

[missingchicklet]

Once Pasta is back Cehlarik needs to be called back up and put on the third line with Heinen. It's a mistake to enter the playoffs with so many low scoring threats in the lineup. The fourth line needs Wagner on it to give it some chance of scoring. He's a fourth line player, and a very good one. Just look at the bottom six of elite teams. They have some scoring/playmaking threat. The Bs do not need a fourth liner on the third line combined with a fourth line composed of players who ALL are among the very worst in the NHL in goals per 60 minutes. Some folks way undervalue what Cehlarik can contribute. He is good at taking the puck away in the neutral zone and defensive zone. He does not make that many turnovers, as a couple folks on here have way overblown (hint: look at his takeaway/giveaway ratio and compare it to the rest of the team -- might surprise some people). Most importantly, he is offensive-minded, and if given a consistent chance with other players with offensive skill can make plays that result in points.

This team is absolutely 100% not going to win a Cup with a fourth liner on the third line, and a fourth line of awful scorers. I'm happy that gritty, hard defensive play puts the jimmies on some folk's sundaes, but it will be a failed strategy if the third line is also offensively anemic due to Bruce's fascination with non-offensive players in the bottom six. I love what the fourth line brings, however it needs to be Acciari-Kuraly-Wagner (Nordstrom), period. Wagner's chances generally come off the great D the fourth line plays when there is chaos on the ice. He is not effective when the play is set up in the zone. The great stuff he does will not be as likely to occur on the third line. Third line needs to be Heinen-Coyle-Ceharik. Those are third line players. That gives you a third line that at least has the potential to score and can play responsible enough defense. There has to be a balance of O and D. Not too keen on seeing this team entirely live and die with merely the top 6 once they face elite competition over a 7 game series.

This team has all the potential to make some noise if fully healthy and the right pieces are in the right places. Otherwise it will come up short due to the usual lack of finish and lack of secondary scoring that has been bemoaned so much. Bottom six scoring matters in the playoffs when games and series are close.

 

[bruins repeat time]

There is plenty of time to put Pasta anywhere but coming back from this type of injury starting him with 63 and 37 is the best spot because it is the best place to produce and get his confidence back in his thumb.

 

[Tbrady12]

Once Pasta is back Cehlarik needs to be called back up and put on the third line with Heinen. It's a mistake to enter the playoffs with so many low scoring threats in the lineup. The fourth line needs Wagner on it to give it some chance of scoring. He's a fourth line player, and a very good one. Just look at the bottom six of elite teams. They have some scoring/playmaking threat. The Bs do not need a fourth liner on the third line combined with a fourth line composed of players who ALL are among the very worst in the NHL in goals per 60 minutes. Some folks way undervalue what Cehlarik can contribute. He is good at taking the puck away in the neutral zone and defensive zone. He does not make that many turnovers, as a couple folks on here have way overblown (hint: look at his takeaway/giveaway ratio and compare it to the rest of the team -- might surprise some people). Most importantly, he is offensive-minded, and if given a consistent chance with other players with offensive skill can make plays that result in points.

This team is absolutely 100% not going to win a Cup with a fourth liner on the third line, and a fourth line of awful scorers. I'm happy that gritty, hard defensive play puts the jimmies on some folk's sundaes, but it will be a failed strategy if the third line is also offensively anemic due to Bruce's fascination with non-offensive players in the bottom six. I love what the fourth line brings, however it needs to be Acciari-Kuraly-Wagner (Nordstrom), period. Wagner's chances generally come off the great D the fourth line plays when there is chaos on the ice. He is not effective when the play is set up in the zone. The great stuff he does will not be as likely to occur on the third line. Third line needs to be Heinen-Coyle-Ceharik. Those are third line players. That gives you a third line that at least has the potential to score and can play responsible enough defense. There has to be a balance of O and D. Not too keen on seeing this team entirely live and die with merely the top 6 once they face elite competition over a 7 game series.

This team has all the potential to make some noise if fully healthy and the right pieces are in the right places. Otherwise it will come up short due to the usual lack of finish and lack of secondary scoring that has been bemoaned so much. Bottom six scoring matters in the playoffs when games and series are close.

Delete blank post

 

[Tbrady12]

Here's the thing I think with Wagner. He's 27 and has now figured out the NHL game with regards to scoring. There are so called late bloomers when it comes to scoring, one only needs to look at Marchand. I'm not saying Wagner can be Marchand. But I do think he can push 15-20 goals given the opportunity with the right guys. He is crafty and has a decent release. His goals on the 4th line for the most part have been break aways or races to the puck he's won or battles in front of the net. That line as constituted makes very few plays at all.

If Backes is going to be in the line up and it looks like he is, I'd much rather see him in the 4th line role and Wagner on 3. If he isn't, then Wagner on 4 is the way to go. The hard part with this is of Acciari, Kuraly, Nordstrom, Backes and Wagner as potential 3rd and 4th line fill ins, Wagner is easily the best scoring option of that group without question, especially in 5 on 5 play.

 

[PatriceBergeron]

Once Pasta is back Cehlarik needs to be called back up and put on the third line with Heinen. It's a mistake to enter the playoffs with so many low scoring threats in the lineup. The fourth line needs Wagner on it to give it some chance of scoring. He's a fourth line player, and a very good one. Just look at the bottom six of elite teams. They have some scoring/playmaking threat. The Bs do not need a fourth liner on the third line combined with a fourth line composed of players who ALL are among the very worst in the NHL in goals per 60 minutes. Some folks way undervalue what Cehlarik can contribute. He is good at taking the puck away in the neutral zone and defensive zone. He does not make that many turnovers, as a couple folks on here have way overblown (hint: look at his takeaway/giveaway ratio and compare it to the rest of the team -- might surprise some people). Most importantly, he is offensive-minded, and if given a consistent chance with other players with offensive skill can make plays that result in points.

This team is absolutely 100% not going to win a Cup with a fourth liner on the third line, and a fourth line of awful scorers. I'm happy that gritty, hard defensive play puts the jimmies on some folk's sundaes, but it will be a failed strategy if the third line is also offensively anemic due to Bruce's fascination with non-offensive players in the bottom six. I love what the fourth line brings, however it needs to be Acciari-Kuraly-Wagner (Nordstrom), period. Wagner's chances generally come off the great D the fourth line plays when there is chaos on the ice. He is not effective when the play is set up in the zone. The great stuff he does will not be as likely to occur on the third line. Third line needs to be Heinen-Coyle-Ceharik. Those are third line players. That gives you a third line that at least has the potential to score and can play responsible enough defense. There has to be a balance of O and D. Not too keen on seeing this team entirely live and die with merely the top 6 once they face elite competition over a 7 game series.

This team has all the potential to make some noise if fully healthy and the right pieces are in the right places. Otherwise it will come up short due to the usual lack of finish and lack of secondary scoring that has been bemoaned so much. Bottom six scoring matters in the playoffs when games and series are close.

The best move is to bench Backes or Acciari, doubt they do it though.