What sort of message does it send when you scratch the guy whose 4th on your team in goals behind only your top line.
He has more goals than Debrusk has points. His goal total isn't even far off Coyle's entire point total.
Yet Ritchie is the one who needs to take a night off?
I'm with you. I truly don't get it. Ritchie is not Connor McDavid, but why people want him to have the night off is beyond me. What has he not done that people wanted him to do this season?
I can easily think of five forwards that I'd sit (or would have until very recently) before Ritchie.
Up until a few games ago I'd have given Pasta a break. He's been fighting it, but seems to be coming out of it.
Up until a few games ago I'd give Coyle a break. To me (eye test) he's coming out of it as well. Possession game is better. Not where it was, but better.
Up until the trade deadline I'd have given Kuraly a month vacation. He's been much much better since CL20 came on board and a little competition entered the mix.
Chris Wagner? See Kuraly above.
DeBrusk? He's exactly where he needs to be for a few games. Like the kid a lot, but he is Off with a capital O. Doesn't matter the reason, he's not figuring it out on the ice so let's try some distance from game for a while.
Anyway, the point is what exactly do we gain by sitting Ritchie??????????