The Wagon Line

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Can we talk about the most consistent line we've had not only this year but quite awhile? Our fourth line hasn't been this good since the days of Brodziak/Glencross/Stortini. It's so nice to have a reliable fourth line that chips in every so often.

If they keep this up we might actually be able to make some headway in the standings.

Click to read more...

 

[McDreamy]

Unsure of the stats, but it seems like they start every shift in the d-zone and finish a ton of them with a whistle in the offensive zone. Their play has been a huge part of these past 3 wins.

Gordon is a steady and great defensively. Hendricks brings a ton of energy, throws the body, and is strong on the forecheck. Joensuu crashes the net hard, and is great at driving the play up the ice. Hope they can keep it up.

 

[T-Funk]

If you hit, the other team coughs up the puck. Imagine if every player we had knew that.

 

[EnthusiasticYak]

I think Joensuu could play on the third line and Pinizzotto could be just as effective on the fourth line. There is a problem with team toughness when Scrivens gets run and RNH gets pushed around and nothing is done about it. Joensuu and Pinizzotto are two players who bring that toughness.

 

[voxel]

Toughness is OVERRATED. I hate how fans want gritty losers. The Oilers need strong puck protecters who can win board battles which the 4th line does. JJ and GlenX can chip in goals once in a while too. Guys like SMac were useless.

 

[EnthusiasticYak]

Toughness is OVERRATED. I hate how fans want gritty losers. The Oilers need strong puck protecters who can win board battles which the 4th line does. JJ and GlenX can chip in goals once in a while too. Guys like SMac were useless.

Toughness is not synonymous with goon/enforcer/fighter. MacIntyre was useless because he couldn't play hockey. To win, you need tough hockey players. Watch a Kings or Bruins game and one will see an example of a tough team. If Quick/Rask even so much as get bumped, intentional or not, the offending party will at the very least be getting a face wash and be told to keep their heads up. You can't win with skill stacked on skill. It's not possible in the current state of the league.

 

[Spawn]

First time in a long time where all 3 players on the 4th line look like legit full time NHLers. Hopefully Joensuu can keep it up. Hendricks and Gordon have proven in their careers they can.

 

[knockoutpanda]

Their defensive zone starts to offensive zone transition can not be sustainable. But they do remind me of those classic playoff third lines that just grind the game out.

 

[Slicknitty]

Yeah, they look like a legit NHL line. Baffling to me as a long time fan. 4th line effective? Does not compute. They play with a ton of confidence, hit hard, drive to the net, win faceoffs, score goals...pinch me.

 

[syz]

Will be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes when they inevitably throw Gazdic on that line.

 

[thadd]

Yeah, they look like a legit NHL line. Baffling to me as a long time fan. 4th line effective? Does not compute. They play with a ton of confidence, hit hard, drive to the net, win faceoffs, score goals...pinch me.

It's kinda puzzling and surprising, but it makes sense when you think of it.

1: Gordon wins faceoffs. Line starts off with possession of the puck more often than not.
2: Gordon and Hendricks are tough. They don't take stupid penalties. They block shots and they hit with the intention of if causing the opposing team to cough up the puck. It's kinda wearing off on Joensu.
3: Joensu is healthy. I don't think he's been healthy for a long time.
4: Joensu can skate really well for a big guy.

Believe it or not, that's a recipe for a good line in the NHL.

Even in games we were losing I saw us get so many offensive zone starts out of that team.

 

[Paralyzer008]

I think the key to the line is the play of Joensuu. If Hendricks-Gordon-Gazdic becomes a thing, the line will be a dumpster fire.

Joensuu changes the dynamic when he's on his game.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

It's nice seeing forward chemistry. Over the past several years, our top-line has been the only one with sustained chemistry. Now we have 2 lines that do. We just need to figure out the combinations for the 2 middle lines. Maybe an addition will need to be made.

 

[Bangers]

In all honesty, Hendricks has consistently been one of the best players on the team this year (at performing his role, of course).

I don't care if he's overpaid as a 4th liner, getting him for Dubnyk was a steal.

 

[thadd]

I think the key to the line is the play of Joensuu. If Hendricks-Gordon-Gazdic becomes a thing, the line will be a dumpster fire.

Joensuu changes the dynamic when he's on his game.

I totally agree with that last sentence.

If we can convince him that there will still be a job in the NHL for him next year if he works his ass off, he'll probably have a good year.

If we don't get that through to him in a manor that it brings the best out of him... that line is probably screwed.

 

[Mr Positive]

I think the key to the line is the play of Joensuu. If Hendricks-Gordon-Gazdic becomes a thing, the line will be a dumpster fire.

Joensuu changes the dynamic when he's on his game.

imo it's the opposite. Gordon and Hendricks have a ton of chemistry and they rarely lose a puck battle. It's their play that has allowed Joensuu to run wild. Take away that support system from Joensuu and he becomes last year's Joensuu

 

[thadd]

In all honesty, Hendricks has consistently been one of the best players on the team this year (at performing his role, of course).

I don't care if he's overpaid as a 4th liner, getting him for Dubnyk was a steal.

For sure. Can you imagine if we were STILL stuck with Dubby?

Well... we'd certainly have drafted EKblad. LOL

 

[Section337]

Best 2nd line we've had in quite awhile

I think the thing is, they just get in the way of the puck and push it forward, while offering good support. It is not always pretty, but when you win the majority of the battles or you pressure/hit guys enough for them to make mistakes, the puck goes to and stays in the right end of the ice.

Add in the line's ability to start in the d-zone against any line, plus providing the #1/2/5 PK'rs and it shows an NHL competency rarely seen from Oiler lines.

 

[gpearson1968]

In all honesty, Hendricks has consistently been one of the best players on the team this year (at performing his role, of course).

I don't care if he's overpaid as a 4th liner, getting him for Dubnyk was a steal.

QFT

Hendricks is more a key to this team than i think most folks realize.

Cheers,
gpearson1968

 

[longy85]

Best 2nd line we've had in quite awhile

This is actually an important point, even though the sentence was meant in jest. The wagon line is being deployed more as a 3rd line, not only in terms of minutes but responsibilities.

However, I like that everyone is calling the wagon line our 4th line, because that takes away from the fact that yakupov's line is actually the 4th line in terms of TOI and overall responsibility. If some of the posters here realized that yak is a 4th liner (currently playing with an AHL centre and our most under-performing winger), they would throw even more of a fit.

For the first time since 2006 the oilers forwards actually are getting close to approximating what a playoff calibre forward group should look like:
Top line who can go power vs power
2nd offensive line (perron/purcell)
defensive specialist (gordon)
4th line (yakupovs line)

By no means is this the conventional forward group, but its getting close to 4 legit lines with obvious roles.

 

[StoveTopStauffer]

I feel they need a bump in Ozone minutes because they're so effective and a little less defensive zone time. And we should fine a way to make another one of these lines.

 

[McJadeddog]

Will be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes when they inevitably throw Gazdic on that line.

surely to god even our brain dead management group realizes that this is our best line right now, and putting gazdic on it (once he is healthy) would be a monumental mistake... i don't think highly of our management group, but even *they* can't be that stupid

 

[Section337]

This is actually an important point, even though the sentence was meant in jest.

Only slightly in jest.

 

[frag2]

I think the key to the line is the play of Joensuu. If Hendricks-Gordon-Gazdic becomes a thing, the line will be a dumpster fire.

Joensuu changes the dynamic when he's on his game.

I think he threw his back at game 12 or something?

Well, we got 3 more before we find out

Hopefully nothing happens BUT at least Pinizottto can somewhat replace it though he's somewhat undersized compared to Joensuu

 

[Stoneman89]

imo it's the opposite. Gordon and Hendricks have a ton of chemistry and they rarely lose a puck battle. It's their play that has allowed Joensuu to run wild. Take away that support system from Joensuu and he becomes last year's Joensuu

Couldn't disagree with this more. Joensuu has been playing with others during preseason and did very well. Also played with others last year and did well until injuries set in. And this isn't to put Gordon or Hendricks down, but Joensuu gives them some important things they lack, like size and some skill. He is an excellent component of that line, and it is night and day since he's been placed on it. Before, it was a couple guys working hard with a slug. Now, it's moving the play up ice and driving zone play.