Ideally sure… but NH’s speed unleashed on the wing can create problems for a slow D nonetheless IMO.

That’s my thought… our best chance at 5v5 offense is through forechecking creating turnovers vs a slow D.

Danault line doing it, but imagine if those turnovers go to our top talent… should convert more.

Not married to those lines, just add speed & try things until you get top 6 going.

We have completely different lines but agree which 2 need to come in & out, and that lines needs adjusting.

The Danault line is doing so well, I’d leave it alone myself,
the rest in a blender :)

They were vastly outplayed in the 3rd & even worse in OT.. when the chips were down.

It was more than just a few mistakes, we struggled after a good start.

Yeah will give them a few more opportunities… but TB has the match up for them regardless, I dont just let that be.
TB changed their lines in 3rd, dominated from that point. That’s coaching.

Sounds nuts I know, but I’d consider adding speed to the top 6

Caufield-Suzuki-Newhook
Slaf-Veleno-Demidov
Evans-Danault-Anderson
Bolduc-Kapanen-Gallagher

Veleno… looks odd there, but can win faceoffs to start with puck, forecheck to create turnovers, cover defensively while kids create

Slaf careless turnover, Dach careless icing… Habs blew a great chance to take a stranglehold of the series… it was right there for them.
What a shame

Need to do something about 1st line… non-factor, and Suzuki in particular ice cold, can’t make a shot or pass.

Same… he’s continued to be slow & useless as he was to end the season.

Enough.

Suzuki in particular seems completely off.. missing every shot & pass.
Just takes one play to change that, but it’s been real ugly so far.

Hutson seems like out best hope to create any offense.. let’s give him some help.

Would have been so fitting to beat them on a Sabourin gifted PP in the last minutes, Hutson so close too :)

Damn

I like that approach… better odds of getting it right.

Caufield looks to the best one of them tonight… just needs at least one of his friends to join him.

He’s been making those careless turnovers all year… maybe this is the time he learns his lesson?

Slaf, Dem, Suzuki, Caufield… need our top guys to join the party tonight. Let’s go.

Might think of splitting them at some point.. even just for a few shifts, to see if it frees up one of them to get going.

Any one of them on a line makes that line dangerous.

We’re in a good position so not needed now, but if they remain well countered medium term.

So confident too.. where has that been all year? :)

But argh.. Suzuki rarely ever misses a pass to send Caufield in alone, these guys are not feeling it yet.

Yeah a few bad decisions by Demidov tonight… bad penalty there.
He’ll learn.

Big kill coming.

He forced the D to hold there… ref just decided not to call it.

Do that more guys, you’ll get the next call.

Great reaction… love to see it.

Indeed.. he drives me mad during the season, and he needs to do more than he has there.. but no denying what he brings in the playoffs.

Now that we’re starting our window.. he needs to stay.

And he loves it here, a great vet on a young team too.. both sides will want the same thing I’m sure :)

Just let them do stupid things… don’t join them.

Arber.. stay away from their bench before the 3rd :)

Slaf shoot.. don’t fight, or over pass :)

You’re doing great guys.
Keep it up.

He’s staying for sure… just have to find the right cap number.

That whole line has been great… Anderson collects here but hats off to all 3.

Indeed.

Not on that play, but several F’s have had a chance to go wide & try to get around the D.. but they always bail out & circle back.

Force it sometimes, you’ll eventually draw a penalty.

We’ve had 2 open nets off rebounds but missed both… 100% stay with it guys.

It’s blurry.. but yeah Nilan didn’t really concern himself with whether the action was on the ice or the opposing bench, lol.

I don’t remember any time sticking a guy on the bench was tolerated… but also, my memory ain’t that good so not gonna die on that hill :)

No… you can’t touch a guy on the bench, period.

Keep it to the guys on the ice.

Kind of chance you hope someone else gets… not Danault.

Still.. that line is generating more chances that most, keep it up guys.

At least it takes Hagel out too… saving grace.

The second Slaf dropped, he lost.

Don’t play their game.