leeroggy
Registered User
- Jan 3, 2010
- 9,475
- 5,775
A few thoughts before I put mine out:
4th place by Division:
Bruins - 60 points
Canadians - 49 points
Coyotes - 47 points
Predators - 54 points
The Ranger and the Flyers have 56 and 51.
If we somehow blow the final spot (very small possibility) who gets the most blame?
A few lineup thoughts:
I still am in the camp that you separate Barzal and Eberle. I understand BT wanting to adjust lineups based on opposition characteristics but the Caps just beat us twice in our building so Einstein's theory of Insanity needs to be taken to heart. We don't have enough size to beat their size at their game, which lately is also our game. Their offensive firepower (34 more goals than us through 48 games) is too much for us if we can't solve their defense, which has given up only 18 goals in their last 11 games.
If we play Pittsburgh (which quietly has now ascended to 1st place while we were focusing on catching Washington by going 21-7) we need to keep their offense in check and we lost our last two to them also. Pittsburgh offense is on fire lately too yet they also just won a 1-0 win over Boston, showing they are winning multiple ways.
I just don't get the issue with playing veterans when they aren't producing. BT has his way and when I pointed out his playoff record with Nashville over the years I was pooh-poohed over it. I'm sure he and LL discussed at length the Zajac/Palmieri deal and right now the two of them are not producing what was expected. Pageau went though a similar phase last year so there's still hope but it's time to make an adjustment.
Do any of us think we are on pace to replicate last year's Varlamov-driven defense run in the playoffs? I'm not getting the same feeling right now. The team is frustrated by their lack of production and clearly the other three playoff teams are peaking while we are not and don't think for a minute our players aren't noticing. We've gone for a fight for first place to very possibly fourth place in about a week, how does that not make you tighten up on the ice and that shows in the goal scoring.
We need to find a way to get back to 3 goals a game or we are going out in the 1st round no matter who we play. And God forbid a complete collapse and a Ranger surge going into the last game or two. Our schedule is SIGNIFICANTLY easier than theirs, which would make it even worse.
The key question is will Lou kind of override BT in lineup suggestions or still give BT full latitude. Just because both have similar approaches to building from the net out, they don't always have the same approach to younger players and the unwillingness of BT to take a longer term view on the kids has been worrisome for awhile. So here's what I want to see:
Palmieri - Barzal - Wahlstrom
One line needs to have firepower for when you need a late goal. We have no line that can accomplish that now. This line will likely give up scoring opportunities too but that's the price you pay when you can't score currently. Put our two best snipers/most willing shooters on the wings and go for it with this line. Put up with the occasional odd-man rush because getting Barzal players who NATURALLY go to space is what he needs to be most effective.
Dal Colle - Nelson - Eberle
This line allows Eberle to get back to driving play, which he was so effective at when split from Barzal for a few games. Of all the lineup calls BT has made, his constant force-feeding of Barzal/Eberle is the one that baffles me the most. Nelson gets to play higher in the zone and Dal Colle works the corners and gets in front.
Beau - Pageau - Bailey
Bailey can play third man high here and let the other two generate. We kind of forget how much Bailey's offense was a part of last year's run and right now he's got 8 points in 10 games in April. This line is sound defensively and Beau/Pageau are more effective on the counter rush where their speed can exploit.
Zajac - Cizikas - Clutterbuck
In case anyone hasn't been paying attention, the Identity Line has scored ONE GOAL and TWO ASSISTS in the ENTIRE month of April. In 31 games played! And a combined -14. Some of us warned that the BT system wears down players and it can't been seen easier than this performance. Maybe rotate Zajac into each position so the 4 are sharing 3 slots (even Komarov could do be used for a game or two). Either they need some rest or they are showing the long grind of the condensed season. Either way SOMETHING needs to change.
I'd rather go down like this than try to keep playing games where we are struggling to score a goal. The PP is not going to magically repair itself this late in the season so find a way to get more 5 on 5.
4th place by Division:
Bruins - 60 points
Canadians - 49 points
Coyotes - 47 points
Predators - 54 points
The Ranger and the Flyers have 56 and 51.
If we somehow blow the final spot (very small possibility) who gets the most blame?
A few lineup thoughts:
I still am in the camp that you separate Barzal and Eberle. I understand BT wanting to adjust lineups based on opposition characteristics but the Caps just beat us twice in our building so Einstein's theory of Insanity needs to be taken to heart. We don't have enough size to beat their size at their game, which lately is also our game. Their offensive firepower (34 more goals than us through 48 games) is too much for us if we can't solve their defense, which has given up only 18 goals in their last 11 games.
If we play Pittsburgh (which quietly has now ascended to 1st place while we were focusing on catching Washington by going 21-7) we need to keep their offense in check and we lost our last two to them also. Pittsburgh offense is on fire lately too yet they also just won a 1-0 win over Boston, showing they are winning multiple ways.
I just don't get the issue with playing veterans when they aren't producing. BT has his way and when I pointed out his playoff record with Nashville over the years I was pooh-poohed over it. I'm sure he and LL discussed at length the Zajac/Palmieri deal and right now the two of them are not producing what was expected. Pageau went though a similar phase last year so there's still hope but it's time to make an adjustment.
Do any of us think we are on pace to replicate last year's Varlamov-driven defense run in the playoffs? I'm not getting the same feeling right now. The team is frustrated by their lack of production and clearly the other three playoff teams are peaking while we are not and don't think for a minute our players aren't noticing. We've gone for a fight for first place to very possibly fourth place in about a week, how does that not make you tighten up on the ice and that shows in the goal scoring.
We need to find a way to get back to 3 goals a game or we are going out in the 1st round no matter who we play. And God forbid a complete collapse and a Ranger surge going into the last game or two. Our schedule is SIGNIFICANTLY easier than theirs, which would make it even worse.
The key question is will Lou kind of override BT in lineup suggestions or still give BT full latitude. Just because both have similar approaches to building from the net out, they don't always have the same approach to younger players and the unwillingness of BT to take a longer term view on the kids has been worrisome for awhile. So here's what I want to see:
Palmieri - Barzal - Wahlstrom
One line needs to have firepower for when you need a late goal. We have no line that can accomplish that now. This line will likely give up scoring opportunities too but that's the price you pay when you can't score currently. Put our two best snipers/most willing shooters on the wings and go for it with this line. Put up with the occasional odd-man rush because getting Barzal players who NATURALLY go to space is what he needs to be most effective.
Dal Colle - Nelson - Eberle
This line allows Eberle to get back to driving play, which he was so effective at when split from Barzal for a few games. Of all the lineup calls BT has made, his constant force-feeding of Barzal/Eberle is the one that baffles me the most. Nelson gets to play higher in the zone and Dal Colle works the corners and gets in front.
Beau - Pageau - Bailey
Bailey can play third man high here and let the other two generate. We kind of forget how much Bailey's offense was a part of last year's run and right now he's got 8 points in 10 games in April. This line is sound defensively and Beau/Pageau are more effective on the counter rush where their speed can exploit.
Zajac - Cizikas - Clutterbuck
In case anyone hasn't been paying attention, the Identity Line has scored ONE GOAL and TWO ASSISTS in the ENTIRE month of April. In 31 games played! And a combined -14. Some of us warned that the BT system wears down players and it can't been seen easier than this performance. Maybe rotate Zajac into each position so the 4 are sharing 3 slots (even Komarov could do be used for a game or two). Either they need some rest or they are showing the long grind of the condensed season. Either way SOMETHING needs to change.
I'd rather go down like this than try to keep playing games where we are struggling to score a goal. The PP is not going to magically repair itself this late in the season so find a way to get more 5 on 5.
