Post-Game Talk: Game 6: Caps @ Pens | 5/7/18 | 7:00pm EST

[txpd]

Here's my initial thinking after looking at those lines. I think what Trotz does is mix and match with the rookies as he did much of the season on defense when Bowey and Djoos were both playing. They didn't roll 3 pairs. There was a lot of Carlson and Orpik and a lot of skipping Bowey and Djoos when their shifts come up.

I see Beagle between DSP and Connolly a lot. Basically rolling 3 lines with Boyd and Gersich getting occasional shifts plugged into one group or another

 

[hb12xchamps]

Edit: @hb11xchamps beat me to it. Walker on the 4th line for Gersich. This one gon' be interesting.

I'm half wondering if he's just throwing around some gamesmanship toward Sullivan and co and not tipping his hand as to what he's going to do.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Backstrom playing. I think adding Walker's speed and his annoyance could create some literal headaches for Pittsburgh. I know I'd be pissed seeing a little guy talking shit in an Australian accent!

 

[txpd]

I think they need to allow Stephenson to center a line.

8-92-13
63-20-77
10-18-25
72-83-39

That aint gonna happen. One of 13, 63 on the ice for every Crosby and Malkin shift? No

 

[CapsDC]

With the guys they're missing, in Pittsburgh with the opponent desperate, and the Caps ability to not close out teams, they seem like a big underdog tonight. Philly beat NE in the super bowl when nobody thought they would so I guess there is hope but man this is going to be tough..

 

[BiPolar Caps]

That's five rookies in the line up. One appearing on each forwards line and then Djoos along the blue line. Well, we shouldn't be slow tonight!

 

[RandyHolt]

I assume Vrana is getting promoted to PP1

Not that I expect a PP, mind you.

 

[hockeykicker]

backstrom prob just sitting practice out

that line up can still get it done

Problem is when oshie was sitting out practice they just had a placeholder aka boyd. They moved eller up. That's telling

 

[hb12xchamps]

Walker also makes sense if Backstrom isn't in the lineup due to his PK ability.

 

[hockeykicker]

Apparently isabelle says gersich is out and walker is in

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

I'm half wondering if he's just throwing around some gamesmanship toward Sullivan and co and not tipping his hand as to what he's going to do.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Backstrom playing. I think adding Walker's speed and his annoyance could create some literal headaches for Pittsburgh. I know I'd be pissed seeing a little guy talking **** in an Australian accent!

I don't think Trotz is known for subterfuge at this level. I can't imagine he'd do this just to misdirect the Pens. Maybe he truly doesn't know if Backstrom can play or not and this is what he'll roll with in the event that 19 is out.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Sounds like Holtby is going to need to steal this one.

He’s been the guy they’ve needed pretty much all series....no reason he can’t come through tonight until the boys can get 4 goals....

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Apparently isabelle says gersich is out and walker is in

That should piss off some posters who swear he’s NHL ready....

 

[hb12xchamps]

No one knows

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

That's five rookies in the line up. One appearing on each forwards line and then Djoos along the blue line. Well, we shouldn't be slow tonight!

So much for anti-yute!

 

[RandyHolt]

That should piss off some posters who swear he’s NHL ready....

Barry needed a PKer. Not all players are created equally. Gersich should be on a scoring line in an optimal world and why some wanted him at 1RW. But Barry loves him some young scorers on 4. Don't let Barry's lines lead you to believe he is a grinder/PK type.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Holy f*** I can't believe the game doesn't start for another 7 hours.

 

[twabby]

twabbymd: If he broke his hand/finger/wrist wouldn't he have gotten an x-ray during the first intermission and ruled out for the rest of the game? Maybe it's just a really bad bruise and he'll get a ton of painkillers and they'll see where he's at tonight?

 

[JMUcapsfan07]

With the guys they're missing, in Pittsburgh with the opponent desperate, and the Caps ability to not close out teams, they seem like a big underdog tonight. Philly beat NE in the super bowl when nobody thought they would so I guess there is hope but man this is going to be tough..

According to what I read on Twitter the Caps are bigger underdogs in the game tonight than they have been in any game so far this season.

FYI for anyone that is super confident and also into gambling.

 

[g00n]

According to what I read on Twitter the Caps are bigger underdogs in the game tonight than they have been in any game so far this season.

FYI for anyone that is super confident and also into gambling.

For a betting line? I'm sure. Most people are expecting this to go 7 and for the Pens to win eventually. Would take a lot of faith to bet on the Caps tonight for anyone other than a fanatical Caps fan.

 

[Ridley Simon]

That aint gonna happen. One of 13, 63 on the ice for every Crosby and Malkin shift? No

Sure they can. Gotta let that rookie/youth vs thing go.

Gersich isnt even playing, so...there is that. However, Walker is also a rookie/youth, so....

there are 4 rookie forwards playing *if* Backstrom is out. So unless they totally stack one line w just rookies, then they will be forced to play a rookie...

Vrana, Stephenson, Walker, Boyd. Pens will have a chance to pair it up any way they want.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[peterthegreat12]

Woo boy. That is a lot of rookies...

Let's see how this goes...

 

[txpd]

Sure they can. Gotta let that rookie/youth vs thing go.

Gersich isnt even playing, so...there is that. However, Walker is also a rookie/youth, so....

there are 4 rookie forwards playing *if* Backstrom is out. So unless they totally stack one line w just rookies, then they will be forced to play a rookie...

Vrana, Stephenson, Walker, Boyd. Pens will have a chance to pair it up any way they want.

Stephenson has earned his spot as a defensive player and is established. Assuming Backstrom isn't playing, I expect Trotz to go mainly with 3 lines. Beagle with Connolly and DSP. The others getting plugged in for the occasional shift.

 

[txpd]

Umm....yea. Why bother asking the questions?

 

[Raikkonen]

Stephenson adds defensive dimension to the 1st line. Also speed. That becomes our best line and best chance to score.

Vrana with Eller and Oshie is the next best thing Barry can do in case Backstrom isn't playing. This line can score also.

So there is some form of top-6.

Bottom-6 is easy. If Boyd doesn't handle it Beagle goes with Connolly and DSP/Chiasson and 4th line is rarely on the ice in ES. Kinda ok.

Winnable game. Just need good finishing tonight.