Where exactly are you going with this? I think you misinterpreted the data I put down. I wasnt saying anything about shots. That data isn't based on shots it's based on actual goals.
Lowry is the second worst forward on the team in terms getting outscored. He has a -7 actual goal differential on the ice 5 on 5. Please tell me how that is showing you he is doing his job at neutralizing other teams? The same is true of every other bottom 6 player sans the two i mentioned. They are getting outscored when on the ice (actual goals).
Yes the top 6 has been cold lately which has impacted their actual goal differentials but all its done is highlight just how reliant we are on them winning their matchups. The bottom 6 has largely been an anchor this year.
I apologize. That's interesting statistically.
In the recent slump it hasn't really been him getting scored on though, I think he's still been pretty reliable defensively. I know the lack of secondary offense is not helping the team.
There's a play that was stuck in my head from Sunday's game that kind of describes how I feel about Lowry's game. He's going up the gut, and takes a pass in the middle of the ice, and one touches it on his backhand for a winger attack. That winger was AJF, and with the edge he managed to bobble the puck and then fall down. That's a place I have seen Jansen Harkins score from.
And don't get me wrong I am not advocating that Jansen Harkins can change this team's fortunes around but Lowry has set up some good chances this year, and he's playing shorthanded when it comes to firepower. Though in fairness he doesn't really blend with with elite scores. Defensively I haven't seen him breakdown a lot but I have seen his linemates miss their coverage. Maybe that's just my bias though...
I think if the Jets can get Lowry and Appleton back together they have the semblance of a good defensive line. They have been good defensively in the past. And that's the team Chevy started with, I don't think he is going to change his strategy midseason. The question mark for that line to start was Barron, who beat out Harkins in camp, and I am not sure where Barron is at. Probably one line too high. I look at the combination of Barron and Maenalanen together and they have some good games. I can think of at least 2 two goal games together (not necessarily them but as a unit) this year. That's where I wonder if you added a centre like Bjustad, if you could stretch out into more of a 4 line team. Hoping that Lowry gets some of his playoff edge back, at least recent edge. With Bjustad, you could at least entertain the idea of something like a 3rd line that can score if Perfetti comes back. And still have your defensive aces. At least 2 that can matchup well.
I think Chevy's big dilemna is that he can't afford to sacrifice all his assets to go for it in one shot. He has the responsibility to keep this team competitive while Josh and KC are still here, and the more picks he expends the harder it is to stock the shelves.
There's some good forward prospects in Lucius, Mc Groarty, Lambert, Zhilkin, Nikkanen and Torgersson, but I don't think next year is their year. I think by the time Zhilkin develops you might get your wish for a different looking 3rd line, but there's probably still a couple of more years with Lowry in the role he is in.
Adding Niedrrater addresses next year's team, maybe replaces Wheeler in the top 6, where I could see Connor-Scheifele-Perfetti being the future of this team. There's still the Dubois issue, and Scheifele and Hellebuyck's contract status to deal with though, and who knows how those go. But Chevy's at least retaining some assets that can be used for acquisitions if needed.
