GDT: Game 11: Columbus at New Jersey | 11/1 7PM EDT

[DarkandStormy]

Better, more varied possession which leads into better chances and more goals being scored against the opposition. Atkinson got two goals in last three games but that line isn't exactly playing like dominating first line.

Hartnell and Johansen still work very well together but Atkinson doesn't connect and keep the offensive tempo up with them as well as Foligno (who wasn't superb but decent at that) did so I would like someone else to try on that line instead.

Like...oh wait, everyone's injured.

 

[FreeBoomer61]

Better, more varied possession which leads into better chances and more goals being scored against the opposition. Atkinson got two goals in last three games but that line isn't exactly playing like dominating first line.

Hartnell and Johansen still work very well together but Atkinson doesn't connect and keep the offensive tempo up with them as well as Foligno (who wasn't superb but decent at that) did so I would like someone else to try on that line instead.

What did you expect? Most of our productive forwards are injured.

 

[CBJx614]

Our offense was mostly successful because we had 3 lines that could score, causing matchup problems and wearing teams down. Right now we have one (hopefully two with Jenner at Calvert back) which gives us the matchup problems and wears down our top players like Johansen, Hartnell, Atkinson and Foligno.

Best to hold off most criticism until we are (mostly)healthy.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

Our offense was mostly successful because we had 3 lines that could score, causing matchup problems and wearing teams down. Right now we have one (hopefully two with Jenner at Calvert back) which gives us the matchup problems and wears down our top players like Johansen, Hartnell, Atkinson and Foligno.

Best to hold off most criticism until we are (mostly)healthy.

There are teams that have been very effective despite having not more than one line providing significant offensive punch thus carrying their team offensively. Dynamo Minsk and Barys Astana in the KHL, Finland in latest Olympics.

Three losses in a row and two goals scored by your top line (that got plenty of powerplay time also) in a time of need just isn't good enough. No doubt the team will do better when the injury situation is also better but injuries shouldn't mean automatic surrender. Getting the best out of the rest is required. Which hasn't happened for Johansen's line in these last three games after Atkinson was added on their side.

 

[We Want Ten]

There are teams that have been very effective despite having not more than one line providing significant offensive punch thus carrying their team offensively. Dynamo Minsk and Barys Astana in the KHL, Finland in latest Olympics.

Three losses in a row and two goals scored by your top line (that got plenty of powerplay time also) in a time of need just isn't good enough. No doubt the team will do better when the injury situation is also better but injuries shouldn't mean automatic surrender. Getting the best out of the rest is required. Which hasn't happened for Johansen's line in these last three games after Atkinson was added on their side.

I agree in general, but given how much this line has had to give so far this year, I am cutting them some slack. Hopefully they play better tonight after getting some rest and maybe some help from guys coming back from IR.