Line Combos: 2018 -2019 Line/D Pairing discussions & proposals - II

[BruinsFanSince94]

Any lineup scenario that has Backes and/or Nordstrom on the third line is a fail.

Zero reason for it now. Bruins have options to fill that black hole 3LRW spot.

 

[JCRO]

I'd keep riding JDB's hot streak for now and obviously Pasta is still out. But a solid depth lineup IMO looks like-
Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen
Cehlarik-Krejci-Pasta
JDB-Johansson-Coyle (MJ and CC can switch in and out depending on the face-off/whose feeling it).
Wagner-Kuraly-Acciari/Backes

Cant see them rolling with Backes on the fourth though. I already see him welded on the third line...

 

[BruinDust]

I'd keep riding JDB's hot streak for now and obviously Pasta is still out. But a solid depth lineup IMO looks like-
Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen
Cehlarik-Krejci-Pasta
JDB-Johansson-Coyle (MJ and CC can switch in and out depending on the face-off/whose feeling it).
Wagner-Kuraly-Acciari/Backes

Cant see them rolling with Backes on the fourth though. I already see him welded on the third line...

Why do people think Backes is carved into stone on the 3rd line?

He scored the big winner in the shoot-out in Vegas, and the next game was in his former town in St. Louis, so he wasn't coming out. Coyle was acquired and they wanted to use him in the middle so he got Backes and Cehlarik. The line looked good vs. St. Louis, generated possession off the cycle and even a few scoring opportunities. So makes sense that Cassidy would want to keep it together for the next game. Not to mention it's basically their last kick at the can in terms of finding a fit for Backes with a center. They've basically tried everyone else.

But make no mistake, he won't think twice about scratching Backes and inserting someone else if the performance and production aren't there, especially given he has other options. He's scratched Backes before, and he'll do it again if need be.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Why do people think Backes is carved into stone on the 3rd line?

He scored the big winner in the shoot-out in Vegas, and the next game was in his former town in St. Louis, so he wasn't coming out. Coyle was acquired and they wanted to use him in the middle so he got Backes and Cehlarik. The line looked good vs. St. Louis, generated possession off the cycle and even a few scoring opportunities. So makes sense that Cassidy would want to keep it together for the next game. Not to mention it's basically their last kick at the can in terms of finding a fit for Backes with a center. They've basically tried everyone else.

But make no mistake, he won't think twice about scratching Backes and inserting someone else if the performance and production aren't there, especially given he has other options. He's scratched Backes before, and he'll do it again if need be.

Probably because he looks like he’s made out of stone when he’s on the ice

 

[EON]

Just keep Pasta off the top line and Backes out of the top 9 and I'll be happy with whatever combination they come up with.

 

[alg363636]

God what the f*** do you do with Backes? I don't want him on the third line because he is a complete anchor and now we have the pieces to have an actually good 3rd line but I don't want him on the fourth line because our fourth line is fantastic and has great chemistry and he's going to ruin it.

He's the cap hit that keeps getting worse.

 

[CombatOnContact]

from the Devils board, asked if he ever lined up on the right:



Krejci will be keeping Pasta and Heinen will likely then stay with Bergy:

Forwards:
Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen
DeBrusk-Krejci-Pasta
Johannson-Coyle-Backes
Kuraly-Acciari-Wagner

Reserve Forwards
Nordstrom, Cehlarik, Stempniak

Defense (would prefer to see):
Chara - Carlo
Grzelcyk - McAvoy
Krug - Miller
Reserve Defense
Moore-Kampfer

Rask
Halak

This is exactly as I see it also.

When in need of a spark, can still Pasta back on to the 1st line, or change Heinen/Johansson.

On the PP, I would like to see:

Pastrnak-Bergeron-Marchand-Krug-Johansson

Heinen/Coyle-Krejci-Debrusk-Grz-McAvoy

 

[TwineTickler]

Why do people think Backes is carved into stone on the 3rd line?

He scored the big winner in the shoot-out in Vegas, and the next game was in his former town in St. Louis, so he wasn't coming out. Coyle was acquired and they wanted to use him in the middle so he got Backes and Cehlarik. The line looked good vs. St. Louis, generated possession off the cycle and even a few scoring opportunities. So makes sense that Cassidy would want to keep it together for the next game. Not to mention it's basically their last kick at the can in terms of finding a fit for Backes with a center. They've basically tried everyone else.

But make no mistake, he won't think twice about scratching Backes and inserting someone else if the performance and production aren't there, especially given he has other options. He's scratched Backes before, and he'll do it again if need be.

Yea I just can't see Backes playing when we are healthy to be honest... if he is I think that's a problem. If you're being scratched prior to adding two top 9 pieces, how do you justify playing him after? Lots of options for Butchy to tinker with.

 

[TwineTickler]

This is exactly as I see it also.

When in need of a spark, can still Pasta back on to the 1st line, or change Heinen/Johansson.

On the PP, I would like to see:

Pastrnak-Bergeron-Marchand-Krug-Johansson

Heinen/Coyle-Krejci-Debrusk-Grz-McAvoy

One thing for sure, the depth/quality of both units should be markedly better now. No Backes being a large piece of that.

 

[CombatOnContact]

One thing for sure, the depth/quality of both units should be markedly better now. No Backes being a large piece of that.

Debrusk is good on the top under unit, but moving him down gives that second line more punch. Coyle can give some size of necessary or Heinen for better skill.

Good options depending on the opponent and style of game.

 

[JCRO]

Why do people think Backes is carved into stone on the 3rd line?

He scored the big winner in the shoot-out in Vegas, and the next game was in his former town in St. Louis, so he wasn't coming out. Coyle was acquired and they wanted to use him in the middle so he got Backes and Cehlarik. The line looked good vs. St. Louis, generated possession off the cycle and even a few scoring opportunities. So makes sense that Cassidy would want to keep it together for the next game. Not to mention it's basically their last kick at the can in terms of finding a fit for Backes with a center. They've basically tried everyone else.

But make no mistake, he won't think twice about scratching Backes and inserting someone else if the performance and production aren't there, especially given he has other options. He's scratched Backes before, and he'll do it again if need be.

My point in saying that was I don't see him being the odd man out going forward. Cassidy has shown he has the cajones to scratch Backes.. for a game. Im curious to see if he is willing to sit him in the playoffs in favor of others if his play (or lack of) calls for it.

Like you said he played well on that line against St. Louis. And Im by no means rooting against the guy. I also think he is well respected by his teammates.

But the guy has been an anchor on his line mates all season.

 

[Prince Pasta]

This is exactly as I see it also.

When in need of a spark, can still Pasta back on to the 1st line, or change Heinen/Johansson.

On the PP, I would like to see:

Pastrnak-Bergeron-Marchand-Krug-Johansson

Heinen/Coyle-Krejci-Debrusk-Grz-McAvoy

They should hopefully update the whole 2nd powerplay look to be closer to the first with the addition of another "skill" lefty and Right shot

PP1
----------------NET----------------------
-----------------Debrusk----------------
Pasta-----------------------Marchand
-----------------Bergy-------------------
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
----------------Krug----------------------


PP2
----------------NET------------------------
-----------------Backes---------------------
Coyle---------------------------Johannson
----------------Krejci------------------------
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
-----------------McAvoy-------------------

 

[BruinDust]

My point in saying that was I don't see him being the odd man out going forward. Cassidy has shown he has the cajones to scratch Backes.. for a game. Im curious to see if he is willing to sit him in the playoffs in favor of others if his play (or lack of) calls for it.

Like you said he played well on that line against St. Louis. And Im by no means rooting against the guy. I also think he is well respected by his teammates.

But the guy has been an anchor on his line mates all season.

I think Cassidy sees what many of us see, that there are times when the pace of the game is too much for Backes and he becomes totally ineffective. Now he has more options at his disposal, and only one spot where he is willing to use #42.

He'll get his opportunities, maybe even more than he deserves based on his play but like you said respect by the team. But push comes to shove, Cassidy isn't about to sit back and lose a playoff series because he couldn't bring himself to healthy scratch Backes. Backes has got to perform.

 

[BruinDust]

They should hopefully update the whole 2nd powerplay look to be closer to the first with the addition of another "skill" lefty and Right shot

PP1
----------------NET----------------------
-----------------Debrusk----------------
Pasta-----------------------Marchand
-----------------Bergy-------------------
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
----------------Krug----------------------


PP2
----------------NET------------------------
-----------------Backes---------------------
Coyle---------------------------Johannson
----------------Krejci------------------------
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
-----------------McAvoy-------------------

I'm swapping out Debrusk and putting Johansson in his PP spot. That same spot is where Johansson played on the PP in Washington to a fair amount of success.

Meanwhile has anyone noticed that Debrusk ain't that good on the PP? He's got just 4 PP goals and just 1 PP assist since mid-November. For a guy playing on the 1st unit that is among the best in the NHL, one assist in that time-frame is just awful.

PP 2 is going to run 2 D-men as they are always getting the back 1/3 to 1/4 of the PP that if unsuccessful roles right into 5 on 5 play.

PP 2 will likely feature Krejci, McAvoy, two of Debrusk/Coyle/Heinen, and whichever one of Gryz/Moore is dress that night.

 

[Prince Pasta]

I'm swapping out Debrusk and putting Johansson in his PP spot. That same spot is where Johansson played on the PP in Washington to a fair amount of success.

Meanwhile has anyone noticed that Debrusk ain't that good on the PP? He's got just 4 PP goals and just 1 PP assist since mid-November. For a guy playing on the 1st unit that is among the best in the NHL, one assist in that time-frame is just awful.

PP 2 is going to run 2 D-men as they are always getting the back 1/3 to 1/4 of the PP that if unsuccessful roles right into 5 on 5 play.

PP 2 will likely feature Krejci, McAvoy, two of Debrusk/Coyle/Heinen, and whichever one of Gryz/Moore is dress that night.

Ill be honest never considered the bolded.

The 1st PP unit defaults to two shots really and neither involve Jake so he usually only factors if its a redirect.
play 1: Krug cycles to marchy's spot, marchy swings behind the net gets the slot player to shift focus, pass across to pasta, one timer-goal
play 2: krug swings it around behind the net to marchy or off the boards to him, quick one touch pass to Bergy in the slot, one timer-goal

Its not an overly complicated powerplay so it rely's on Krug and Marchy to make it work, and thankfully they are both assist machines.

 

[NORY]

Any word on the lines from practice?
I think we see this tonight,
63-37-43
74-46-90
22/20-13-42
14-52-55
The real question is what does the D look like. Krug was banged up, is he ready to go. Last I heard Miller was day-to-day.

 

[BruinDust]

Ill be honest never considered the bolded.

The 1st PP unit defaults to two shots really and neither involve Jake so he usually only factors if its a redirect.
play 1: Krug cycles to marchy's spot, marchy swings behind the net gets the slot player to shift focus, pass across to pasta, one timer-goal
play 2: krug swings it around behind the net to marchy or off the boards to him, quick one touch pass to Bergy in the slot, one timer-goal

Its not an overly complicated powerplay so it rely's on Krug and Marchy to make it work, and thankfully they are both assist machines.

Your right it's not overly complicated, and the "Debrusk spot" is the least impactful of the 5 spots on the ice. I'd like to see if they used Johansson there a little bit of rotation down low between him and Marchand of the cycle, kinda the opposite of how Marchand and Krug rotate between each other to give Krug that cross-ice passing lane. I think it could add a new wrinkle to what is a good PP set-up.

 

[rocketdan9]

I keep thinking that this is the lineup that could do lots of damage

Marchand Bergeron Heinen
Marjo Krejci Pasta
Debrusk Coyle Cehlarik
Wagner Kuraly Backes/Acciari

Marjo Krejci Pasta especially could cause alot of headache. If folks remember that Marchand Krejci Pasta line and how harlem globetrotter like it was.... Marjo is the kind of dangles/puck holding ability that Marchand has. Also is an exceptional skater

Drop Debrusk down to provide a finisher for Coyle and Cehlarik

 

[rocketdan9]

1st PP unit
Marchand Bergeron Marjo
Pasta Krug

2nd PP unit
Debrusk Coyle Cehlarik
Krejci McAvoy

PK units
Marchand Bergeron Carlo Chara
Kuraly Wagner Miller McAvoy
Coyle Johansson

 

[prizminferno]

Cassidy said MoJo is down low on PP2

 

[rocketdan9]

Cassidy said MoJo is down low on PP2

ok ok

what about 5 vs 5?

 

[rocketdan9]

So Cehlarik and Kuhlman sent down was not a paper transaction after all??

 

[UConn126]

So this tonifht:

Marchy-Bergy-Heinen
DB-Krejci-Mojo
NordyCoyle-Backes
Kuraly-Acciari-Wagner


I like it, aside from Nordstrom.

 

[rocketdan9]

So where are these two? lost in St Louis?

 

[rocketdan9]

So this tonifht:

Marchy-Bergy-Heinen
DB-Krejci-Mojo
Cehlarik-Coyle-Backes
Kuraly-Acciari-Wagner


I like it.

nope...read above. Nordstrom in for Cehlarik on the third line

Coyle must be jumping for joy

look Nordy plays hard and is a good defensive forward. But there is so much Coyle can do to carry the offensive load for that 3rd line