LETS GO! Man did we miss him. If he went up to Boston, we'll see him by Saturday for sure. Fucking Rangers man.
Great news - if not tomorrow certainly Saturday I'd say. How will Quinn line them up. Who goes down to play with Chytil - I have to think it is Lafreniere. Who comes off the 3rd line and goes to the 4th line (Rooney or Gauthier) - my guess is Gauthier due to not wanting Chytil to take FO's right now (but Gauthier has played well, and maybe Chytil is ready to take FO's). Who gets scratched - I would guess Lemieux and Blackwell. Panarin/Zib/Buch Kreider/Strome/Kakko Lafreniere/Chytil/Rooney or Gauthier Di G/Howden/Rooney or Gauthier That is a good lineup with Chytil playing well. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. I feel we missed our chance to be in the playoff race getting 0 points in Pitt, but we'll see.
Your lines make sense but I'd think about switching Buch and Laf. Yes that puts each of them on their non-natural sides, but it would hopefully jumpstart both Laf and Zib who can take advantage of more open ice while also giving Chytil/Gauthier a little bit more of a veteran/stabilizing presence, as Buch has been much improved defensively and along the boards this year. Panarin - Zibanejad - Lafreniere Keider - Strome - Kakko Buchnevich - Chytil - Gauthier Lemieux - Howden - Rooney/PDG But if you want to switch Laf and Buch back I wouldnt argue. Either way, it's a decent looking forward group and there is no reason they cant string some wins together.
I totally agree, I wouldn't argue either way. If I were a betting man I don't think Quinn moves our current leading scorer Buch down to the 3rd line on his off side (thus putting Lafreniere on his off side as well). Candidly though, with Chytil playing well I don't think it is a huge issue either way as that line is a very good 3rd line, and really can be better than that (assuming Gauthier is left on that line - which is what I would do if I were Quinn unless Chytil simply cannot take a FO). As for the scratch, I don't see Rooney. 2 of Di G, Blackwell, Lemieux (who was scratched last night) seems likely to me. Good "problems" to have.
I dont think he will either, but Laf playing with those two guys could be something special. Buch may be our current leading scorer but that is not saying much. A first line talent has to bury at least one of those two chances last night. His skill set has always been much better suited for the middle 6. Doesnt really matter who the scratch is. It wont be Howden we know that. As bad as he is offensively (and he is bad) he's decent on faceoffs and he's part of a very good PK unit. A glorified Blair f'n Betts, definitely not what we were sold when the McD trade happened. I would not scratch Lemieux, been very disappointed in his game and he's somehow worse offensively now than he was when we got him but he still brings something that the rest of the team doesnt. Blackwell, Rooney and PDG are all just guys. Would probably pick Blackwell of the 3.
No doubt you have to put Panarin with Zibanejad to get his head out of his ass. Those are top three lines I'd go with. I would trade Lemieux, Howden and DeAngelo in a deal for Bennett and a couple of second rounders if I could. Call up Barron. Panarin - Zibanejad - Lafreniere Keider - Strome - Kakko Buchnevich - Chytil - Gauthier Barron- Bennett- Rooney That's a good 4th line.
Ideally Buch is a 2nd line RW I think. He can be a 55 + point 20 + goal guy. Last night was terrible not finishing, but big picture he is a very good 2nd line RW I think. If Gorton can make some moves to improve this summer, Buch could be a good chip to trade if we need extra cap space and/or a sweetener to a star deal. Again, a good problem to have IMO.
Update: David Quinn says Panarin will not play tomorrow in Boston – to be determined when he will return.
Howden will probably be gone either way after this year, to Seattle, in Hartford next year or dealt for .50 on the dollar.
