It also looks a lot better when we stay away from the 'normal' line combos up front.
Much as I loathe Sid and Geno together as a permanent thing, for now, the lines look cohesive as they were running last night. Even Gibby-Vitale-Adams has been a net positive 5 on 5 IMO, because they're holding their own against everyone and maintaining some offensive possession.
Rangers forecheck can't do **** if the defense can get the puck out and the forwards can keep it away.
Also, something I saw last night . . . we are making the Rangers earn every inch trying to move the puck through the neutral zone. A lot of disrupted flow and passes, a lot of east-west. A lot harder to get speed for a forecheck when you're forced to slalom through the neutral zone.
The sooner people see that this team does not have the personnel on wing to get Sid, Geno and Sutter going at the same time on separate lines, the better.
If you move Beau and Stemp up to the top six, Sutter suffers. If you keep JMN together, Malkin suffers. Crosby is just straight suffering right now when Geno isn't on his line.
Malkin can play wing with Sid. They **** on the competition. Geno homers, we know he's best at center. And ideally, we have Sid and Geno down the middle. But this year just doesn't allow for it as a default set up IMO.
Kunitz-Sid-Geno. Kunitz is forced to play a third wheel role again. Get back to basics. And Sid and Geno get the space they need out there and feed off one another. No shutdown unit can handle them. None.
Jokinen-Sutter-Neal. Jokinen gets to handle the puck more away from Malkin. And he just plays well with Sutter. They know how to read off one another. And Neal is forced to move his feet since Malkin isn't there to do everything for him. When Neal plays like a puck hawk, he's a monster.
Beau-Goc-Stemp. Goc is not a 4C. We're wasting him down there. He's a perfect checking line player who can play with skilled linemates. He battles along the boards, makes simple plays and cleans up his own end. Bennett gets to handle the puck and has had amazing chemistry with Stemp. They can give us legit depth scoring. Which we'll need against LA, Boston or Chicago.
Gibbons-Vitale-Adams. Gibbons is best when given limited minutes so he can maximize his best asset, his skating. Vitale should never play above the 4th line. Keep him there. Adams can keep DB happy by being in the lineup and let the other two cycle.
But DB being DB. He'll roll Gibbons with Sid. JMN. Vitale on the third line. And Goc on the 4th. B/c if he's not in danger of losing the series, **** sticking with what's worked.
