Lol...of course helm-datsyuk-richards is a line in the biggest game of the year. That line has never worked. I would love to find stats on the production of that line this season. They have probably been together half the year, and have scored maybe 15 goals as a unit, prolly less. Blashill is the most stubborn coach out there.
Also Mantha out is laughable. This guy is panicking and had no clue what he's doing.
They weren't bad last game.
Everyone needs to chill. Mantha has played 13 minutes in our last 2 games. I know it's not all about points, but Richards had 2 last game and Mantha has 3 in 10.
You are the one panicking.
I'm not really sure how mentioning Mantha's ice time is supposed to help your argument. That is helping my argument. He needs more than 6 minutes per game in order to produce. Also, the fact that he has 3 pts in 10 games with limited ice time is not terrible. He had many chances in the games where he was playing 13+ minutes. Then all of a sudden he drops him to 6 minutes per game in favor of a washed up Richards. I love Helm, but he's a 4th liner. AT BEST a 3rd liner. It's laughable to have a 3rd/4th line grinder and a washed up, slow player playing with our most talented player, and then having Mantha out of the lineup.
Jurco for Mantha sucks. We lose tonight. 2-6.
You say he drops his ice time to six for washed up Richards, when last game washed up Richards put up a goal and an assist in "Mantha's dropped ice time"
I'd rather Mantha be in the lineup and get more minutes, but in a crucial game this organization is going to take the guy who has 2 cups and a Conn Smythe over the kid with 10 games in his career. Hell that's why Jurco is in over him to begin with. If you expect different than that, you're going to be disappointed a lot.
Happy for Jurco in for Mantha. As Blashill said, we need speed and Mantha has none. Jurco will create pressure.
Happy for Jurco in for Mantha. As Blashill said, we need speed and Mantha has none. Jurco will create pressure.
Well if you expect a win with these garbage lines, you're going to be disappointed a lot.
Blashill has made questionable decision after questionable decision all season long. I get that Richards has experience, and is clutch. So fine, keep him there. But if you're gonna put Richards there then don't play Datsyuk and Richards with Darren Helm. Helm can't finish. Again, I love Darren Helm...as a 3rd liner. He has no business being in the top 6 over so many other players on this team.
If Blashill needs Richards on the 2nd line for experience, at least give them AA on the other Wing. AA is every bit as fast as Helm (prolly faster), and has better hands, and a better shot, and better awareness. AA is better suited for the 2nd line.
Well if you expect a win with these garbage lines, you're going to be disappointed a lot.
Blashill has made questionable decision after questionable decision all season long. I get that Richards has experience, and is clutch. So fine, keep him there. But if you're gonna put Richards there then don't play Datsyuk and Richards with Darren Helm. Helm can't finish. Again, I love Darren Helm...as a 3rd liner. He has no business being in the top 6 over so many other players on this team.
If Blashill needs Richards on the 2nd line for experience, at least give them AA on the other Wing. AA is every bit as fast as Helm (prolly faster), and has better hands, and a better shot, and better awareness. AA is better suited for the 2nd line.
Yes Blash has made questionable moves regarding that second line, but we should give him the benefit of the doubt if we keep winning. (That's what matters now)
AA is not better suited on the 2nd line. He would tire out and most likely make a lot of mental errors. There is a reason he his playing 3rd/4th line minutes. Sometimes you guys got to have trust in the coaching staff that has been around these players every day.
If I had it my way we would have Richards on the 4th, but I'm not going to call it a loss because he's on the second line.
The lines would actually look completely different if I had it my way, every single one - I hate all 4 lines. I wouldn't suggest doing it for this game though, sometimes you gotta go with familiarity.
Oh lord. Haven't been this excited for a game in a long, long time.
Can anyone explain this to an old man such as myself?