I’ll leave it to everyone else to interpret “critical”. But it’s a BIG game in the points race.
I’d like to take advantage of as much familiarity as possible by pairing Dzingel with Duchene while slotting PLD with his old mates. That may not be the best lines, but it’d be the likely most effective at the moment.
We get the last line change, so question: Which line does Torts use against Crosby when the draw is at Bob’s end?
I agree with D & D, and think PLD could use the confidence boost of being with Panarin and Cam. PLD will be fine with his new line, but will take some adjustment mentally.
As to the line matchup - Dubinsky on the dot, with Andy and Foligno on the wings. Dubi wins draw, exits directly to bench, Boone sneaks behind Pens' defense, and Seth hits homerun pass to Boone (who coincidentally has just recently figured out that it's ok to hit the net and not just the goalie's pads).
Ok, I just woke up. I have no idea what line, but probably not the Panarin-Duchene-Atkinson line. And regardless, just win the draw baby. AND THE GAME!