Definitely going to be interesting to see who sits for this game.
Up front, assuming Willie D wants to get Burrows back in to the lineup, it's a tough call on who comes out. For me it comes down to either Matthias or Horvat.
-Horvat played well for his debut and as a young player in particular, you'd obviously like to keep that rolling and let him get into a bit of a rhythm...
but he is the "new guy" and low man on the totem pole. Hard to say how pulling a vet out for him to slot in would sit with the Veterans, without actually being in the locker room.
-Matthias has been better the last stretch, hustling more consistently at least. Still not the most effective player though (outside of scoring last game on a shot that really shouldn't have gone in
). But he has generating some positives on a line that seems to be clicking. He's put in some solid PK minutes as well (though i think Bo could reasonably take those on). Burrows would slot in to his 3rd line LW spot more naturally, without shuffling anything else. And as much as Matthias has hustled...upgrading that spot to Burrows would be...an upgrade. And if Matthias hadn't scored that softie last night, i don't think there would be that much outrage over pulling him out of the lineup for a bit.
I think the other guys all bring a specific element or elements that should keep them in the lineup. Vey is important to the PP and i'd really like to see a continued look at that Higgins-Bonino-Vey line that clicked bigtime last game. Dorsett brings that "sparkplug" energy element and the sandpaper we may want/need for these Cali games in particular. Hansen has been looking like his old self of late and the way he uses his speed both ways is important. Richardson is too important when it comes to faceoffs and PK duties.
Really, with Willie D's mantra on "not changing a winning lineup", maybe it's Burrows that sits, though i think he's probably earned the veteran right to slot back in when permitted.
The other wildcard is if Kassian has any lingering effects from his charleyhorse or whatever the injury turned out to be. Though that's doubtful as he seemed to have shaken it off by the end of the last game anyway, unless it's one of those "feel it the next day" sort of things.
The defence will be interesting as well. Weber had some real issues last game and was a last minute sub in the first place. But again, "don't mess with a winning lineup", and if Sbisa is still ill or feeling less than 100%, no reason to put him in.
