travel_dude

It might also be a time to shift the LW down a smidge. Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli Ruzicka-Kadri-Dube Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman ... I really like that 3rd line last year, and maybe it's Mange struggling or maybe not fitting where he is. Huberdeau back to where he started, maybe he gets them going a bit. Ruzicka is playing a bit better without the puck, but also seems to be making some good passes. Would like to see that line on a rush, assuming they can gain the zone.

Yes to what you are saying here. Not meaning to take away from it, as you have pointed out where we stand. I'm just drilling down to the individuals or lines that seem to be part of the root cause. One might expect a bit of a dropoff from Mangiapane this season. 30+ goals on a line with Backlund to a line with Dube and Kadri. Part of that may be zone entries and diligence on the puck. Backlund and Coleman are dogs on the puck. Huberdeau may be good there, but I think it takes away from his offence when he is used to 30 goal scorers.

The annoying things is that we struggle to get back when we get down a goal. Early results were good, but have fallen off. Scoring first, we went 6-4-2, but recently started losing those games. The other team scoring first, we went 3-5-1. The annoying part for me is when we tie it up, only to go down a goal after that. There still seems to be some structural problems with the lines. Top line with Ruzicka. When they score, we tend to win. It's our top line, so they need to be better as a group and be more dominant both ends. Lindholm's sniping is off a little; he's getting the looks just off a bit. Kadri line. Ugg. Not doing enough for a 2nd scoring line. Gets bottled up a lot in the D-zone. Exit passes off the mark, and I can count at least 3 goals against from really bad passes exiting the zone. Hubie line. Strong defensive line, not getting enough production using our top player. 4th line. Not really bad as a group. Lucic on for 5 for and 11 against. Not good. Lewis not really good on the PK that I can see. I know it's more than the F group, but they aren't helping as much as they could. We see strong games from them in the O-zone, but not finishing.

That is the logical reason. Maybe Kylington is getting ready to come back; doubt it. I think they have a bigger need for an extra F. Rooney is not the only player in need of sitting a game or two.

Do we need 3 RHS on the same line? The bigger issue I have us that Phillips should not ever be considered as a grinder. That's what the 4th line does. I don't think it helps us much except sometimes in close games, they wear down the other team. It is our identity, but we also lose scoring because of it. Phillips would not benefit from having to play a grind game.

I find it strange that the 4th line played but 6 minutes the entire game. Lewis played slightly more, but on the PK. And he was on for two PP goals. I think there are bigger issues.

Pretty obvious call there

You mean take a penalty in OT and lose it?

Tome for some more 5th line time

Vladar gets the start when we play poorly. He's the only reason in his two recent starts we are even close.

Canes get away with some calls there

More like 7 minutes

Why is that? The 4th line doesn't count as a line does it?

I'm not sure when Sutter figues out tht Lewis is not the same player he was. On for 2 PP goals against so far.

Of course we take a penalty now.

Not sure but I think he was saying try to win one before the trip home. But you never know with him

Any momentum on the PP is killed by the first shoft after. 4th line again.

Let's see a decent PP

Flames are something crazy like -27 in third period. Start by winning one.

4th line finally gets a chance after getting bottled up. Now Kadri line blows exit.

It's what I was expecting his shot to be. He rarely gets a clean look to use it.

Eye test agrees.

Sneaky pass to Toffee. Nice goal

Possession game sucks. Not getting much time

Prefer to see Kadri in the bumper spot