Takin' from PGT:
We need to try Kessel with the Florida boys when Rust ist back.
Guentzel - Sid - Hornqvist
ZAR - Malkin - Rust
McCann - Bjugstad - Kessel
Blueger - Cullen - Simon
Malkin seems to be a one man show on that 2nd line but I think he can handle it.
If Sid-Phil just will not happen atm, Phil just needs to have a go with Bjugs again.
But with Rust back, i 100% run Jake/McCann as the top 6 LW'ers right now.
Or even doing that right now with Rust out would be wise if McCann-Sid-Jake's 5on5 scoring dries up.
ZAR/Simon(especially ZAR right now) ain't cuttin' it as top 6 wings and it's crunch time.
What i'd do atm:
-Just can't break up McCan-Sid-Jake right now. That trio won the game in MTL.
-In terms of "doable" if they keep G-Phil together on top of that:
McCann-Sid-Jake
Horny/Blueger-G-Phil
Simon-Bjugs-Horny/Blueger
ZAR-Cullen-Blandisi
-i'd get Blandisi up here for more speed. it's lacking and he has some skill to go with it.
-ZAR/Wilson bring the same sorta thing and since ZAR is way more likely to produce he stays in my lineup + if ZAR is going well in a game, he can be bumped up vs a Wilson.
-they've took Horny for a spin on LW before so this is doable...
-G just needs some help getting clean exits and entries so thats where Horny/Bluegs come in.
-also not opposed to G with 2 of Simon/Horny/Blueger and Phil back with Bjugs either.
-if everything goes back to suck with these i'd simply work with:
Jake-Sid-x
McCann-G-x
x-Bjugs-Phil