I know the 4th line isn't really a "4th line" but those guys were pretty outstanding. They carried the team for the first period and a half while everyone else looked a little lost.
Agreed. Gallant seemed to agree as well. I haven’t seen the box score, but it seems they lead the team in ice time. That might’ve just been they were so noticeable it seemed like they played more.
I came into the season not thinking much of Nosek, but he has fit in well with two puck possession ,cycling grinders. He is pretty hard to knock off the puck, has good speed, and a bit more skill than the other two. Someone’s like Eakin, Karlsson, etc. could use a line demotion in place of him. I think Leipsic deserves more games than he’s gotten as well.
Engelland has been a liability the whole east coast trip. The quicker, more skill based conference has really exposed his lack of foot speed.
The Flab’s have really recognized this, and have been attacking his side of the ice the whole night. At his age, he should be a #7. Hopefully his Vegas connection doesn’t keep him in the lineup unfavorably over Theodore. McNabb and Engelland is just not a good pairing in today’s age.
Two pure defensive defenseman with limited puck moving ability = trapped in your own zone the whole game.
Miller / Schmidt / Theodore should be mainstays on each pairing with a defensive guy. Someone has to be able to either skate the puck or pass it out of the zone.
The first line played allright, but have been a lot better the whole season so far. They just couldn’t get the puck and get anything done with it. The whole offense just wasn’t in sync tonight.
Reilly Smith is an interesting player. He really doesn’t do much outside of getting some good shots here and there, but man does he have a good shot. Marchessault is somewhat similar, but has better play making ability and seems more creative. He makes things happen.