How many goals in the 4 games have been scored by other than Backstrom, Ov and Wilson?
If your post is a response to mine about splitting up that line, I will note that I don't think that it matters how many goals that line has scored so far
My view is that Kuzy is stinking up the show. The Caps have 1 line they can count on to create some scoring. The line you are saying wont work. What I see is putting Kuzy with Ov and killing what offense there is by unplugging both Ov and Backstrom from their current power source.
Additionally, Backstrom is the checking option against Aho. As long as Oshie is playing, either Wilson or Oshie can play the checking role with him. You can put any left wing with them and the checking remains viable. If you put Kuzy between 8 and 43, who is checking Aho with Backstrom? Hagelin and Vrana or Burakovsky? That's dangerous.
I don’t mind Backstrom and Hagelin against Aho
On the other hand, being preoccupied with shutdown match-ups when you've not scored a goal 5-on-5 for the past two games is probably not the way to go. They need not be reckless about it but scoring--and all of the details that make it a mere possibility--should be their primary concern at the moment. It's less about line configurations, though, than their structure, breakouts, forecheck and ability to get interior. They do need to get Kuznetsov going somehow and I don't think last year's lines is the worst idea. Backstrom with Hagelin & Vrana instead would be fine as a shutdown type option. Not great but they've got bigger concerns and those two wingers would at least be able to keep pace.My view is that Kuzy is stinking up the show. The Caps have 1 line they can count on to create some scoring. The line you are saying wont work. What I see is putting Kuzy with Ov and killing what offense there is by unplugging both Ov and Backstrom from their current power source.
Additionally, Backstrom is the checking option against Aho. As long as Oshie is playing, either Wilson or Oshie can play the checking role with him. You can put any left wing with them and the checking remains viable. If you put Kuzy between 8 and 43, who is checking Aho with Backstrom? Hagelin and Vrana or Burakovsky? That's dangerous.
I think with how hot Ovechstrom has been this post season you just can't break them up. Maybe toss a few shifts with Kuzy on the wing or something, but I'm not even sure I'm okay with that.
Honestly, is anyone else amazed at how Ovechkin is playing? For all the amazing and captivating things I've seen him do on the ice, I'm not sure I've ever see him give more effort and play such a complete game as he has these last two years (but this series in particular so far). It's incredible to see what he's become from those 12 minute Dale Hunter days.
Ovi 123 and 11 hits says it all. I have theorized that when Ovi goes into heavy passing mode, he is nursing an injury. He may also do that periodically to keep goalies and defenses honest. Or, maybe it's a directive from coaches, including telling Nick to drive the net he is going to be our finisher this series.
We scratch our heads when he passes up great scoring chances, but we literally expect him to shoot all the damn time. It ain't going to happen, and there are times when the goalie or D challenges him properly and effectively close the door on him, and he should pass. Is there another player that goalies should be challenging more aggressively? Hell no.
I flash back to game 7 OT vs philly in his first loffs, when he passed up shooting to pass to Feds. I hope that is the correct game I am remembering.
I tell you what, the Canes fans on this board are making every other fan look like idiots. You clearly can tell they have just started watching hockey and/or are extremely young
Every hit to them is a headshot or a penalty
That “icing” was supposed to be reviewable according to a post I saw
The entire NHL, refs, media has a bias for us
Didn’t see it mentioned much in the GDT but I thought Siegenthaler was just what the doctor ordered. He actually played 16 more seconds than Orpik. Carlson only skated 20 minutes and Niskanen was your TOI leader with 22 minutes. I’m not sure what the TOI looks like for specific pairings and there’s some score effects to those numbers but please never put Carlson on his weak side again, thank you.
I tell you what, the Canes fans on this board are making every other fan look like idiots. You clearly can tell they have just started watching hockey and/or are extremely young
Every hit to them is a headshot or a penalty
That “icing” was supposed to be reviewable according to a post I saw
The entire NHL, refs, media has a bias for us