Should Nicklas Backstrom start as 2C once he returns?

[Varan]

I saw some people discussing the chemistry b/w OV and Kuzy and how Backstroms' return would help out on the PP.

Got me thinking, he should start as 2C and allow Kuzy and OV to do their thing. He can slowly work his way back into the swing of things. I wouldn't want to disrupt the absolute carry job of Ovechkin and Kuzy (alongside Wilson).

What do you guys think?

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[txpd]

Kuzy has played primarily with Ov for years. Backstrom plays with Oshie

 

[Varan]

Kuzy has played primarily with Ov for years. Backstrom plays with Oshie

I'd disagree with you. It's been OV and Backstrom for a while (mixed with Oshie to complete their top-line). Kuzy has struggled since the Cup win, so he's been slotted at 2C for a while

 

[txpd]

I'd disagree with you. It's been OV and Backstrom for a while (mixed with Oshie to complete their top-line). Kuzy has struggled since the Cup win, so he's been slotted at 2C for a while

No. I will let someone else explain

 

[hb12xchamps]

He’s going to be the 2C. I’m sure if you look up line combos from the past few seasons you’ll see he doesn’t primarily play with Ovechkin.

 

[twabby]

This is the TOI from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Looks like Backstrom has been his center for more time than Kuznetsov, but of course Kuznetsov has missed some time due to his suspension, his COVID absence, etc. that could have affected this number. Probably fair to say it's been close to a 50/50 split.

Regardless, I'm not breaking up the Ovechkin/Kuznetsov duo unless there is a very compelling reason to put Backstrom with Ovechkin. If healthy Backstrom would slot in perfectly as the 2C.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

View attachment 484572 View attachment 484574

This is the TOI from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Looks like Backstrom has been his center for more time than Kuznetsov, but of course Kuznetsov has missed some time due to his suspension, his COVID absence, etc. that could have affected this number. Probably fair to say it's been close to a 50/50 split.

Regardless, I'm not breaking up the Ovechkin/Kuznetsov duo unless there is a very compelling reason to put Backstrom with Ovechkin. If healthy Backstrom would slot in perfectly as the 2C.

is this only 5v5?

 

[twabby]

is this only 5v5?

Yes.

 

[Capsman]

My recollection is that in recent years the Backy-OV tandem has been used more as a reaction to a faltering Kuzy-OV first line (which was a lot of the time), just to shake things up. I don't think there's any way Laviolette breaks up Kuzy-OV unless they are struggling for an extended period of time.

The bigger question for me is how Protas and McMichael fit in once Backstrom and Eller are back. I would have an awfully hard time sending Protas back down at this point.

 

[g00n]

View attachment 484572 View attachment 484574

This is the TOI from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Looks like Backstrom has been his center for more time than Kuznetsov, but of course Kuznetsov has missed some time due to his suspension, his COVID absence, etc. that could have affected this number. Probably fair to say it's been close to a 50/50 split.

Regardless, I'm not breaking up the Ovechkin/Kuznetsov duo unless there is a very compelling reason to put Backstrom with Ovechkin. If healthy Backstrom would slot in perfectly as the 2C.

Why 2018-2019 as the starting point? TR is gone. Lavi is coach.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Ovie Kuz Wilson line won us a cup. I never get why they break them up

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Why 2018-2019 as the starting point? TR is gone. Lavi is coach.

good point.

 

[twabby]

I did 18-19 to 20-21 in response to this post (emphasis mine):

He’s going to be the 2C. I’m sure if you look up line combos from the past few seasons you’ll see he doesn’t primarily play with Ovechkin.

But yes it looks like last year was 272 minutes of 8-92 and 239 minutes of 8-19.

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

 

[Midnight Judges]

Yeah, don't break up Ovie and Kuz.

Backstrom is good with Oshie.

 

[txpd]

View attachment 484572 View attachment 484574

This is the TOI from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Looks like Backstrom has been his center for more time than Kuznetsov, but of course Kuznetsov has missed some time due to his suspension, his COVID absence, etc. that could have affected this number. Probably fair to say it's been close to a 50/50 split.

Regardless, I'm not breaking up the Ovechkin/Kuznetsov duo unless there is a very compelling reason to put Backstrom with Ovechkin. If healthy Backstrom would slot in perfectly as the 2C.

Kuznetsov got demoted to the Sheary/Sprong line with a big hit in TOI last season as well. This was a reward for his outstanding play. But the Caps default lines are Ov and Kuzy and Backstrom and Oshie

 

[txpd]

Ovie Kuz Wilson line won us a cup. I never get why they break them up

They break them up because like many things, they go stale from time to time. Its never for very long

 

[Ridley Simon]

Caps need another reliable line behind #1 and #4.

Backstrom should be able to deliver one.

Eller should be able to deliver the other

 

[txpd]

The bigger question for me is how Protas and McMichael fit in once Backstrom and Eller are back. I would have an awfully hard time sending Protas back down at this point.

There is 1 spot open as long as Mantha is out. There is a 2nd if someone can beat out Sprong. Today if it was just 1, it would be Protas. But in 10 games that could easily flip.

 

[Baszie]

My recollection is that in recent years the Backy-OV tandem has been used more as a reaction to a faltering Kuzy-OV first line (which was a lot of the time), just to shake things up. I don't think there's any way Laviolette breaks up Kuzy-OV unless they are struggling for an extended period of time.

The bigger question for me is how Protas and McMichael fit in once Backstrom and Eller are back. I would have an awfully hard time sending Protas back down at this point.

Looks like we don’t have to wait for Backstrom. Either CMM or Sprong wil be scratched next game. Lavi came to the conclusion that you can’t have enough 4th lines.

 

[Midnight Judges]

McMichael's line was getting dominated for the most part.

 

[Drakon]

Yeah, don't break up Ovie and Kuz.

Backstrom is good with Oshie.

Backstrom/Oshie is painfully slow.

 

[895]

If only we had someone with a lot of speed and skill to pair with Backstrom and Oshie on the left side.

 

[StrikingDistance]

Backstrom/Oshie is painfully slow.

But extremely skilled. Speed is nice but isn't the main requirement. They'll put a kid on the 2nd line with some wheels (CMM, Protas, etc) who will compliment St. Nick and the Albatross.

 

[895]

But extremely skilled. Speed is nice but isn't the main requirement. They'll put a kid on the 2nd line with some wheels (CMM, Protas, etc) who will compliment St. Nick and the Albatross.

?
neither CMM nor Protas are fast

 

[StrikingDistance]

?
neither CMM nor Protas are fast

Did I say they were? No. They have some speed and are probably faster than Nick and Osh. There's time for Lavi to find chemistry.