Top 5 forward lines of the Sid/Geno era

[pistolpete11]

Kunitz's production was on the decline and he was being forced into the top 6. Hornqvist's production remained pretty consistent despite seeing a lot of time outside of the top 6. Kunitz played well in the Cup runs, though, and deserves more credit than he gets around here. People let the frustration of the regular season cloud their judgement on him.

Anyway, I think it's funny that HBK is the first line that comes to mind and it doesn't include Crosby or Malkin.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Anyway, I think it's funny that HBK is the first line that comes to mind and it doesn't include Crosby or Malkin

I think mine is probably Cooke - Staal - Kennedy, but that’s probably just a taste or generational thing.

 

[pistolpete11]

I think mine is probably Cooke - Staal - Kennedy, but that’s probably just a taste or generational thing.

Cooke - Staal - Kennedy certainly had the longevity over HBK, but they were nowhere near the production of HBK...at least in '15-'16.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Cooke - Staal - Kennedy certainly had the longevity over HBK, but they were nowhere near the production of HBK...at least in '15-'16.

Agreed, HBK was a pretty lightning in the bottle kind of thing. But CSK sort of set the mould for HBK, and I think they deserve some credit there for bringing back the idea of a 3rd line with offense here.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I have my gripes with some elements of that line but they were undoubtedly important, long-haul and the (impossible) archetype this team has used for it's 3rd line ever since.

 

[HandshakeLine]

I have my gripes with some elements of that line but they were undoubtedly important, long-haul and the (impossible) prototype this team has used for it's 3rd line ever since.

I am going to have flashbacks of Kennedy taking a pass from Staal, streaking down the wing, and firing a shot right into the crest until I die.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I am going to have flashbacks of Kennedy taking a pass from Staal, streaking down the wing, and firing a shot right into the crest until I die.

I remember thinking Kennedy had it in him to maybe step up to top six RW. Then I actually saw it a few times, barfed a little in my mouth and gave up that dream.

 

[JTG]

I am going to have flashbacks of Kennedy taking a pass from Staal, streaking down the wing, and firing a shot right into the crest until I die.

Tunnel vision was real with that one.

 

[JTG]

I try not to be an irrational hater and I probably give players way too much slack, but I had an irrational hate of Michel Ouellet. He was a shackle around Geno's ankle his first couple years in the league.

 

[Jesse]

Forward lines is a bit more complicated but if anyone was wondering, here are the best defensive pairings since 2007/08 by lowest expected goals minimum 500 minutes played together.

1. Paul Martin/Kris Letang - 1.81 xGA/60
2. Ben Lovejoy/Brian Dumoulin - 1.83 xGA/60
3. Matt Niskanen/Olli Maatta - 1.89 xGA/60
4. Simon Despres/Rob Scuderi - 1.89 xGA/60
5. Ian Cole/Justin Schultz - 1.91 xGA/60

 

[theicebox]

Neal - Staal - Kovalev

 

[Trade]

McCann-Carter-Freddy Hockey

 

[HandshakeLine]

Forward lines is a bit more complicated but if anyone was wondering, here are the best defensive pairings since 2007/08 by lowest expected goals minimum 500 minutes played together.

1. Paul Martin/Kris Letang - 1.81 xGA/60
2. Ben Lovejoy/Brian Dumoulin - 1.83 xGA/60
3. Matt Niskanen/Olli Maatta - 1.89 xGA/60
4. Simon Despres/Rob Scuderi - 1.89 xGA/60
5. Ian Cole/Justin Schultz - 1.91 xGA/60

Well, huh. Those are not what I expected.

 

[Gurglesons]

Forward lines is a bit more complicated but if anyone was wondering, here are the best defensive pairings since 2007/08 by lowest expected goals minimum 500 minutes played together.

1. Paul Martin/Kris Letang - 1.81 xGA/60
2. Ben Lovejoy/Brian Dumoulin - 1.83 xGA/60
3. Matt Niskanen/Olli Maatta - 1.89 xGA/60
4. Simon Despres/Rob Scuderi - 1.89 xGA/60
5. Ian Cole/Justin Schultz - 1.91 xGA/60

I always wonder how good this team would've been if we signed Niskanen to that contract he got in Washington.

Also, I guess Lovejoy deserves a beer from Gooski's.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Also, I guess Lovejoy deserves a beer from Gooski's.

Everyone deserves a beer at Gooski’s. Place is a treasure.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I am going to have flashbacks of Kennedy taking a pass from Staal, streaking down the wing, and firing a shot right into the crest until I die.

NHL's all-time best chest sniper? Does any player come close to matching Kennedy's ability to hit a goalie square in the logo 99% of the time?

 

[End of Line]

Malkin Staal Tangradi

Tangradi-Comrie-Malkin

 

[Gurglesons]

Tangradi-Comrie-Malkin

Tang Commies

 

[Hotep Numminen]

remember when kennedy was working on changing they angle of his shots and started doing that big ass drag move before every single shot he took