Well if you're going with a typical line up then yes. Here was my thought process:
Fabbri-McDavid-Virtanen= #1 elite offensive line
Dal Colle-Reinhart-Baptiste= Defensive zone starts, match up line with possession
Domi-Petan-Ritchie=Feasting on weak opposition, offensive zone starts.
Elie-Dickinson-Chartier=Energy and wear and tear line
For me there is no 1st 2nd or 3rd line. It's 3 lines that can be rolled and score and match the opponents.
I guess it makes sense that way but the 3rd line might be struggling in the defensive zone, Ritchie lacks speed, Domi and Petan lack size although they have skill. Baptiste gives a good amount of everything on that line, Reinhart can anchor a line defensively because of his faceoffs and hockey smarts.
A "shutdown" line isn't really needed IMO, I think a pairing of Nurse and Bowey along with Reinhart on the top line's centre is a pretty physical, defensive shutdown unit.
Honest question from a Bolts fan doing stats watching:
What does Petan has over Point for the third line center? I love Point as a Lightning prospect and have high hopes for him, but I only see his highlights. So I would really appreciate if somebody could do a Petan vs. Point read-up for me, especially considering they are both fighting for the same spot.
Last year at the World Juniors Petan was super skilled, always creating plays and he has slick hands. Even in the WHL, he's Portland's best player. Very skilled and nifty, some highlights of him on youtube it'll show his skill.
I haven't seen alot of Point but I think Point in a 4th line role is best for Canada,
he isn't as skilled as 9 other forwards so on the 4th line he can succeed but he might not make it because other players like Paul, Chartier, Dickinson, Gauthier, Baptiste all looking more skilled in a 4th line spot or more useful. It'll be a close one though.