Here is a proposed line-up for Game 3 assuming Langs can't play. Yes, we lost but the series is not over. We have to throw some bodies out there that can beat Carolina. I hate that freekin' team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Parise--Zajac--Shanahan
Elias--Zubrus--Gionta
Pandolfo--Madden--Holik
Rupp--Rolston--Clarkson


Right Defense -- Left Defense

Martin--Salvador
Oduya--Greene
Mottau--White


Marty



We could throw Bergfors in there, but I just don't know. Also, time for Havelid to sit.

Feel free to be creative. Thanks!!!

Parise--Zajac--Rolston
Elias--Zubrus--Gionta
Pandolfo--Madden--Shanahan
Rupp--Holik--Clarkson


Martin--Salvador
Oduya--Greene
Mottau--White


Marty

Parise-Zajac-Zubrus
Elias-Rolston-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

1st PP.
Parise-Zajac-Elias
Rolston-Martin

2nd PP.
Shanny-Zubrus-Gionta
Oduya-Havelid

With Langenbrunner not playing for games #3 and #4, I would like to see...

Parise - Zajac - Zubrus (Will cycle the puck pretty well and Zubrus is very solid along the boards)
Rolston - Elias - Gionta (Patty will dish the puck to snipers = scoring chances)
Pandolfo - Madden - Shanahan (our best checking line has to stay the same)
Rupp - Holik - Clarkson (They have to forecheck and hit everything that moves)

Martin - Oduya
White - Mottau
Havelid - Salvador

Brodeur

Since Langs is definitely out I guess it's time for some lineup speculation.

While Zach and Patty work great together 4 on 4, I don't like them on the same line for the whole game. The PZL line thrives on forechecking and Patty doesn't play the same style of game. And stacking the two of them on one line makes us a much easier team to shut down.

With that said, I think the best guys to put with Zach and Trav would be either Zubrus or Gionta. Both those guys can cycle the puck really well. And then it's only logical that Rolston moves up to take one of their spots. I think Gio would be the best fit with Z&Z, but then the skill level on the Elias line goes down a good amount. And if you move Zubes up then Elias-Rolston-Gio isn't a very physical combo. So there's pros and cons to either.

So for the top two lines I'd like either:

Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Elias-Zubrus-Rolston or

Parise-Zajac-Zubrus
Elias-Rolston-Gionta

Then moving on to the bottom two lines. I don't mind keeping the Madden line together, but hopefully since we're on the road Sutter will stop trying to match lines. Then it's just a question of whether Holik or PL3 gets in the lineup (my money is on Holik, and I'd be shocked if anyone else plays instead). Assuming it's Holik I'd go with:

Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

Can Rupp play LW? If not, then maybe shift Shanny to Madden's LW, move Clarkson up, Pando to 4th line LW and Rupp to 4th line RW.

****!

*****. i would not be surprised if pl3 plays over bobby. im thinking the lines will be

parise-zajac-elias
rolston-zubrus-gionta
pando-madden-shanny
pl3-rupp-clarkson

brent doesnt like bobby playing center too much and as he has said before"its a numbers game" so he doesnt fit at rw anywhere(he isnt playing top 9).

though it may be

rupp-holik-clarkson

i said this in another thread

everyones "theories" are great on paper but the fact of the matter is, we need a guy like elias on a line with parise and zajac. sorry to disappoint some of you but parise isnt a guy that can carry a line. he needs a guy that can handle the puck, pass shoot and score and elias is really the only guy that can replace langenbrunner and have parise and zajac not have to change the way they play

id be shocked if rolston plays rw

I see Brent going with:

Parise-Zajac-Elias
Rolston-Zubrus-Gionta
Pando-Madden-Shanny
Holik/Rupp-Holik/Rupp-Clarkson

I just can't see using PL3 over Bobby. Holik has a lot of post season experience. But if he does get a shot here's hoping his idiotic penalties cease to exist.

I think Gionta needs to play on the first line and put Rolston on line 2.

i said this in another thread

everyones "theories" are great on paper but the fact of the matter is, we need a guy like elias on a line with parise and zajac. sorry to disappoint some of you but parise isnt a guy that can carry a line. he needs a guy that can handle the puck, pass shoot and score and elias is really the only guy that can replace langenbrunner and have parise and zajac not have to change the way they play

id be shocked if rolston plays rw

Putting Elias with Parise might solve one problem but it puts us behind the 8-ball more then anything else. We'll have no other offensive threats other then our 1st line and that's not good. If Parise can't carry a line by himself, then there's no way Rolston, Gionta, Zubrus, etc... can.

Spread the talent around and replace Langs with someone that can play a similar style of game ala Zubrus or Rolston. The only problem i have with Rolston on the 1st line is that he has ZERO vision on the ice. As soon as he get's the puck, it's like his brain has only one option... SHOOT THE PUCK AS HARD AS YOU CAN. It's not a bad thing when he's playing with Rupp and Clarkson on the 4th line since he does have the better shot out of the three but if he's on a top line with Parise, I have a feeling he'll cause more damage then anything else by shooting all the time.

i said this in another thread

everyones "theories" are great on paper but the fact of the matter is, we need a guy like elias on a line with parise and zajac. sorry to disappoint some of you but parise isnt a guy that can carry a line. he needs a guy that can handle the puck, pass shoot and score and elias is really the only guy that can replace langenbrunner and have parise and zajac not have to change the way they play

id be shocked if rolston plays rw

you must be referring to Jordan Parise

i said this in another thread

everyones "theories" are great on paper but the fact of the matter is, we need a guy like elias on a line with parise and zajac. sorry to disappoint some of you but parise isnt a guy that can carry a line. he needs a guy that can handle the puck, pass shoot and score and elias is really the only guy that can replace langenbrunner and have parise and zajac not have to change the way they play

id be shocked if rolston plays rw

Parise carries Langenbrunner, not the other way around.

I don't think Shanny can keep up with the ZZ game.

I don't think Shanny can keep up with the ZZ game.

Langenbrunner isn't very fast either and he has done a fine job.

I like Shanny on that line. You wan't to replace Langenbrunner with someone who plays the closest type of game that he does. Rolston does not. I think that Shanahan does.

Put Rolston with Madden and Pandolfo.

I agree with trying Zubrus in Langenbrunner's spot. Cycling is that line's bread and butter and Langenbrunner was the best guy along the boards on the line. So it makes sense to replace him with a guy who is also great along the boards.

And Elias-Rolston-Gionta was a line a few times before.

I agree with trying Zubrus in Langenbrunner's spot. Cycling is that line's bread and butter and Langenbrunner was the best guy along the boards on the line. So it makes sense to replace him with a guy who is also great along the boards.

And Elias-Rolston-Gionta was a line a few times before.

I don't think Zubrus is quite the right fit. We need someone to finish on the right wing.

And Elias-Rolston-Gionta was a line a few times before.

Yeah and they sucked. You need that physical guy to complement Elias and Gionta.

Langenbrunner isn't very fast either and he has done a fine job.

I like Shanny on that line. You wan't to replace Langenbrunner with someone who plays the closest type of game that he does. Rolston does not. I think that Shanahan does.

Put Rolston with Madden and Pandolfo.

Clarkson plays more like Langer than Shanahan.

Clarkson plays more like Langer than Shanahan.

Your kinda right. I swear to god, if Brent puts Clarkson on the first line i'm going to MSG and take a dump.

I don't think Zubrus is quite the right fit. We need someone to finish on the right wing.

- Rolston on the 1st line will get alot more chances to finish but I feel he's gonna take away Parise's game by doing so cause of his lack vision on the ice.

- Shanahan is a great finisher but will have a hard time keeping up with both youngsters I.M.O.

- Zubrus can finish (maybe less then Shany and Rolston... but he can still finish) and has the speed to keep up with Z&Z + has the size and grit to work the boards down low.

Putting Elias with Parise might solve one problem but it puts us behind the 8-ball more then anything else. We'll have no other offensive threats other then our 1st line and that's not good. If Parise can't carry a line by himself, then there's no way Rolston, Gionta, Zubrus, etc... can.

Spread the talent around and replace Langs with someone that can play a similar style of game ala Zubrus or Rolston. The only problem i have with Rolston on the 1st line is that he has ZERO vision on the ice. As soon as he get's the puck, it's like his brain has only one option... SHOOT THE PUCK AS HARD AS YOU CAN. It's not a bad thing when he's playing with Rupp and Clarkson on the 4th line since he does have the better shot out of the three but if he's on a top line with Parise, I have a feeling he'll cause more damage then anything else by shooting all the time.

well i think thats why sutter said point blank, rolston needs to step up. rolston now has to play top 6 minutes, he cant just have one decent shift a game and get away with it anymore.

zubrus and rolston play a different game from each other and from langs

you must be referring to Jordan Parise

Parise carries Langenbrunner, not the other way around.

parise would probably put up 60 pts at best with 2 scrubs on his line. parise needs zajac and langs just as much as they need parise. parise is going to need someone like langs to be on his line. elias is a glorified version of langs. better skater, better passer, better shooter and just as much grit. anyone else would be a downgrade and that lines threat would drop significantly

For me it's

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

For me it's

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

Love Gio with Parise. They play well together whenever they get the chance.

Love Gio with Parise. They play well together whenever they get the chance.

I like both players speed and ability to get open. That's why i have em together.

Tomorrow night will be interesting.

- Rolston on the 1st line will get alot more chances to finish but I feel he's gonna take away Parise's game by doing so cause of his lack vision on the ice.

- Shanahan is a great finisher but will have a hard time keeping up with both youngsters I.M.O.

- Zubrus can finish (maybe less then Shany and Rolston... but he can still finish) and has the speed to keep up with Z&Z + has the size and grit to work the boards down low.

I want it to be Shanny. He probably is a little bit slower then Jamie but jamies goals always come late in the rush. Wether it be a pass from behind the net or a trailer on a odd-man rush. I'd be comfortable having Brendan on the line.

Love Gio with Parise. They play well together whenever they get the chance.

i wouldnt mind gionta with zajac and parise but then that line loses alot of size

i wouldnt mind gionta with zajac and parise but then that line loses alot of size

Not like Langer was a 6'2 player.

Love Gio with Parise. They play well together whenever they get the chance.

as long as Gio shoots for rebounds.

Not like Langer was a 6'2 player.

hes 6'1 so i mean i guess youre right but im just saying with gionta on the line i think it becomes a little more of a perimeter line and parise isnt really a perimeter player

hes 6'1 so i mean i guess youre right but im just saying with gionta on the line i think it becomes a little more of a perimeter line and parise isnt really a perimeter player

Well maybe getting an up close view of watching Parise hustle he'll remember how to do it.

hes 6'1 so i mean i guess youre right but im just saying with gionta on the line i think it becomes a little more of a perimeter line and parise isnt really a perimeter player

Gio is far from a perimeter player IMO. Rolston is a perimeter player.

Well maybe getting an up close view of watching Parise hustle he'll remember how to do it.

i like the line, dont get me wrong. its got alot of speed. in fact i think our first line last year in the playoffs was parise-elias-gionta, which is even better. i wouldnt mind seeing that line together

Gio is far from a perimeter player IMO. Rolston is a perimeter player.

rolston is a perimeter player in every sense of the word, gionta is more of a perimeter player than langs is. i just dont know how well those three(parise-zajac-gionta) would be able to cycle the puck, cause thats how the zzpop line scored most of their goals

I just don't want to see the experiement we had last night with Elias up on that line.

I just don't want to see the experiement we had last night with Elias up on that line.

its definitely not an experiment. all three of them are comfortable playing together

I see Brent going with:

Parise-Zajac-Elias
Rolston-Zubrus-Gionta
Pando-Madden-Shanny
Holik/Rupp-Holik/Rupp-Clarkson



That above is what Sutter is going to do.


This is what I'd like him to do.

Parise-Zajac-Shanahan
Elias-Zubrus-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Rolston
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

I'll take Shanny's experience, work ethic, and 650 goals anyday of the week over Rolston, who has shown nothing all year.

I'd go with Gionta moving up to play with Parise and Zajac, as well. I like what I have seen from him in the last recent stretch and he's played well with Parise before. I would have liked Shanahan there if Shanny had fresher legs but I could see Sutter actually doing that for a few shifts.

If I was in charge and could come up with any lineup I wanted here's what it would be, but there's no way in hell it happens.

Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Elias-Zubrus-Bergfors
Rolston-Madden-Shanahan
Pandolfo-Rupp-Clarkson

For me it's

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson
I like this the best, and I think it's what we'll see unless he decides to break up the newfound "checking" line. If he does, then I want:

Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Shanahan-Madden-Clarkson
Pandolfo-Holik-Rupp

Parise-Zajac-Gionta

Parise and Gionta will play great with each other, and as long as Zajac has Parise it's all good.

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston

Zubrus is a really hard worker and Elias can basically carry any line by himself, I think this line would be good to work with for game 3 and 4.


Same lines for 3 and 4 but just switch Rolston with Holik.

So everyone agrees with DF's awesomeness then right?

I should be coach FTW!

So everyone agrees with DF's awesomeness then right?

I should be coach FTW!

...yes?!

...yes?!

Well, not head coach, but I should easily be able to do MacLean's job.

Yeah and they sucked. You need that physical guy to complement Elias and Gionta.

But you need a guy who can work the corners to complement Parise and Zajac. Can we do both? If not, the Parise-Zajac line is more important to success.

I see Brent going with:

Parise-Zajac-Elias
Rolston-Zubrus-Gionta
Pando-Madden-Shanny
Holik/Rupp-Holik/Rupp-Clarkson

I just can't see using PL3 over Bobby. Holik has a lot of post season experience. But if he does get a shot here's hoping his idiotic penalties cease to exist.

I like your line-up and I agree that Holik gets the nod due to experience. And I would give Parise, Zajac and Elias some extra minutes tomorrow night.

That above is what Sutter is going to do.


This is what I'd like him to do.

Parise-Zajac-Shanahan
Elias-Zubrus-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Rolston
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

I'll take Shanny's experience, work ethic, and 650 goals anyday of the week over Rolston, who has shown nothing all year.

I also like your lines and the experiment with Shanny, because until now, he's been put in a position of not using his offensive skills. However, my worry is can he play top minutes. It's worth a try I guess.

I also like your lines and the experiment with Shanny, because until now, he's been put in a position of not using his offensive skills. However, my worry is can he play top minutes. It's worth a try I guess.

my only concern is his speed, which is why I would have the top-6 look more like this (if you even want to move Shanny up in the first place)
Parise - Zajac - Gionta
Elias - Zubrus - Shanahan

my only concern is his speed, which is why I would have the top-6 look more like this (if you even want to move Shanny up in the first place)
Parise - Zajac - Gionta
Elias - Zubrus - Shanahan

I really like how that looks

I wouldn't mind Shanahan, Gionta, or Rolston with Parise and Zajac. I feel like any of them would work. It BLOWS that Langenbrunner is out though.

i think were all forgetting the vish:(
the vish=insta-win

my only concern is his speed, which is why I would have the top-6 look more like this (if you even want to move Shanny up in the first place)
Parise - Zajac - Gionta
Elias - Zubrus - Shanahan

That would be fine with me too, because I think it's hard to make the argument Shanahan doesnt belong on one of the top-2 lines. It's the playoffs, and there are a maximum of 5 games left in this round potentially without Langs. 5 games isnt going to kill him.

That would be fine with me too, because I think it's hard to make the argument Shanahan doesnt belong on one of the top-2 lines. It's the playoffs, and there are a maximum of 5 games left in this round potentially without Langs. 5 games isnt going to kill him.

yes. i would love to see the 11th most prolific goalscorer in league history, who we have had at our disposal for months now, get some time on the top two lines.

if guerin can do it, then.....

Parise-Zajac-Zubrus
Rolston-Elias-Gionta
Pando-Madden-Shanny
Rupp-Pelley-Clarkson

Clarkson plays more like Langer than Shanahan.

That's what I was thinking. That line will be lacking the jam that #15 brings, and Rolston certainly isn't going to provide it. It would be weird to see Clarkson on that line, but if Sutter were to do it I wouldn't have a problem with it. The line thrives on the cycle. As such, Clarkson and Gio make the most sense to move onto that line because they excel in that area of the game.


Parise - Zajac - Clarkson
Elias - Zubrus - Gionta
Pandolfo - Madden - Shanahan
Rolston - Rupp - Holik

or

Parise - Zajac - Gionta
Elias - Zubrus - Rolston (3 lefties)
Pandolfo - Madden - Shanahan
Rupp - Holik - Clarkson



And no, Havelid doesn't come out of the lineup. Defense stays the same. We've given up 1 clean goal in 2+ games of hockey with him in the lineup, and Salvador is playing very well with him as a partner.

I think Shanahan with Parise and Zajac is great. He's still able to play a full game, he's great defensively, he's physical - he's exactly what that line needs without Langenbrunner there.

Don't mess with Elias' normal line. You can insert Holik into Shanahan's spot on the Madden line.

The other option would be Rolston on the Parise-Zajac line. He would need to step up his play - and that's really all in his head. He still has the tools. He's ... hesitant.. I don't know how to describe it but who knows it actually could be beneficial for Rollie on that line.

So, to me:

Parise-Zajac-Shanahan/Rolston
Elias-Zubrus-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Holik/Shanahan
Rupp-Rolston/Holik-Clarkson

Parise-Zajac-Zubrus
Elias-Rolston-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

1st PP.
Parise-Zajac-Elias
Rolston-Martin

2nd PP.
Shanny-Zubrus-Gionta
Oduya-Havelid

This

Parise - Zajac - Shanahan : Keeps a right-handed, hard-nosed vet with the kids
Elias - Zubrus - Rolston : Puts Rolston in a position to succeed with someone willing to battle and our best playmaker
Pandolfo - Madden - Gionta : Gionta is speedier than the other options and has some scoring ability left
Rupp - Holik - Clarkson : The penalty line

I would double-shift Elias in Shanny's spot on the first line.

If I was in charge and could come up with any lineup I wanted here's what it would be, but there's no way in hell it happens.

Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Elias-Zubrus-Sutter
Rolston-Madden-Shanahan
Pandolfo-Rupp-Clarkson


I like this the best, and I think it's what we'll see unless he decides to break up the newfound "checking" line. If he does, then I want:

Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Shanahan-Madden-Clarkson
Pandolfo-Holik-Rupp

Small fix.

I had a bad feeling Rolston would play bad, mother ****er takes 5m and plays worse then Shanny who is earning 500k.

For me it's

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

this

this

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Shanahan
Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

I just couldn't decide between your first two lines or

Parise-Zajac-Zubrus
Elias-Rolston-Gionta

I really think Elias needs to play on a line with Gionta. Gio's forechecking is second to none. He creates turnovers and goes 100% on every shift.

On the other hand, I'm still not sure about my decision to put Rolston at center. arghhhh

Like I started this thread out with, I want Shanahan on the first line with Zajac and Parise. If Shanny needs a breather, Elias, Rolston, Gionta, Rupp, Holik, and/or Clarkson can take a few shifts with Travis and Zach. Could not hurt to see if someone "clicks" with those two.

And I do want Andy Greene back in the line-up. We need a little more offense from our defense. However, if Carolina is going to plant guys in our crease, I would not mind seeing Jay Leach dress for a game and beat the crap out of a few Canes. If he gets suspended, we can deal with that. ;)

I see us becoming a 3 and 1/2 line team and using 2 and a half pairs in the third period until this series ends. Short shifts and going all out all the time is the only way we can win IMO. Holik can't take penalties and has to hit everything that moves, in addition to winning key face-offs. And let him stand in front of Cam Ward and just kinda fall accidental-like. LOL

It appears to be Rolston with Parise-Zajac, and Holik with Rupp-Clarkie

It appears to be Rolston with Parise-Zajac, and Holik with Rupp-Clarkie

being on the road i think its especially important that the rupp-holik-clarkson line comes out physically and bangs every body wearing white especially the dmen down low in the canes zone

appears to have worked!

appears to have worked!

I still dont like Rolston or Holik, but we won so whatever. lol.