3 goals from the top 6 in 5 games... More concerning, they're not even generating quality looks, even if the shot totals look okay. Seriously, I've seen a few nice individual efforts and a couple of solid give-and-goes from non-dangerous locations, but I can't think of anyone teeing someone else up for a Grade A look in 5 games.
A big part of that seems to be A) guys struggling to find open ice in a shooting position; and B) anytime someone makes a dangerous cut to the slot, they're immediately throwing back to the perimeter.
Also for anyone yearning for Holloway, McLeod, Foegele, etc, the bottom 6 has been fine. Henrique has a goal, Perry has a goal, Connor f**king Brown has a goal, plus Skinner's scored a few while on the 3rd line. Meanwhile...
- McDavid has been bad. Not just by his standards, he's just been bad. And it's been at both ends of the ice.
- Draisaitl has more brain-dead penalties than goals.
- Hyman's been completely snake-bit.
- RNH has been atrocious. Even the Drai goal tonight is because he overskated the puck.
- Arvidsson's been noticeable in transition, and I haven't seen the same negative plays out of him as I have with the others, but he's camped near exclusively to the outside in the offensive zone.
It's a similar story on the blueline, where I thought Kulak-Emberson played a very clean game, Nurse-Stecher mostly kept things in control, but it was Ekholm and Bouchard who were struggling with even simple passes and lacking any pace. Bouchard in particular has struggled to generate anything for his 4 teammates all season.
I'm not quite at benching, but they need to mix things up. Instead of trying to balance the size and speed across the two lines (and having them attack more or less in the same way); lean into having one speedier and one heavier line.
RNH-McDavid-Arvidsson
Hyman-Drai-Perry
Skinner-Henrique-Brown
Janmark-Ryan-Podz
As for the PP...
Hyman-McDavid-Drai
Arvidsson-Ekholm
At least for a game. On merit it should also be Skinner replacing RNH, but imo Arvidsson replaces Nuge's role better. Plus as a RHS, he actually gives you the option of a left-wing one timer.
I'd go back to Bouchard after a game, but I need far more from Nuge before he's back on the top unit.