Post-Game Talk: Restarrected - Stars 1, Jets 5

[pucka lucka]

I was being overly harsh, but there's a lot more to playing ones offside in the NHL than in Europe. I'd suggest that's why Laine said he prefers RW now and wasn't simply "saying that."

He's experienced the NHL game, understands how time & space is more limited and having spent 2.5 seasons to rethink his position on the matter has opted to concede that the organization knew best.

Perhaps this will change, but it will be due to his game adapting and improving, not because he played that position when he was 13-17 years old.

Hmm interesting. Beyak said it was always the plan to get him back on LW.

 

[ulf]

How good will we be when Helly goes 925 or 930 save % come later in year.
Team shows lots of warts most nights but we are top 5 even with all those issues.
Myers back to being an asset
Laine lots of room for a hot streak.
PoMo proving to be smarter than us.
It all looks real promising this year.

 

[Skidooboy]

Great game much needed win. Lets get back to consistent scoring and wining!!!


Re TOI for #55

Only three non D in the top 50 for TOI

McDoodles for the Oilers

#55

and Kopitar,

Still. I'd hate to be the guy to try and tell Schief NOT to go out at a key moment. We all Know Mark is incredibly fit, strong, and dedicated...More than that. He believes in his heart he's the best player on the ice and can give his team the W if he works hard enough...If I was coach, I don't know I'd want to stifle that drive...It certainly doesn't seem to hurt his game to play big minutes. I think it's actually part of the teams overall success. I see other teams start to slow down as the season goes on, as the games get late. the Jets just keep going.

IIRC I member a Milt Stegal story about how he might get beat the first few times on a route, but in the forth quarter after the 20th time, he would be faster. I think #55 feels the same way.

 

[Jet]

I liked Laine's game last night. More of that, please!

Connor FINALLY gets off the snide - he needed that. I hope that gets him going again (though I think him back with Brighteyes and Wheels will do that).

I really liked the 4th line. They got a lot more minutes, no? Appleton is the right choice for that role.

I think the writing is on the wall for Petan. When a top 6 skilled winger goes down and he still doesn't get an opportunity? I know we want to hold onto him for depth but maybe it's time to deal him and give him an opportunity elsewhere. Vancouver seems an obvious choice as they could use more skill and it's his hometown?

Kulikov makes me happy. I sure hope he stays healthy because I think he will be HUGE for us in the playoffs.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

I thought Laine had a good game too. I like the fact that he was physical off the play and that opened up some room for that line. His board work was much better as well. Created a goal out out of nothing as well.

Nice to see the 4th line play good solid minutes.

Lowry still a beast and so are his buzzing hornet wingers

 

[Jet]

Too much 5v5, PP, and PK time. Would love to see someone take some / all of that PK time away from him.

If he would stop PK'ing that would resolve a ton of issues - too bad he's so good at it

 

[Jet]

Kuli playing some impressive hockey and dragging Myers into being a respectable player.

I think that's a little disingenuous.

I do think Kuli is the perfect fit for Myers and makes him better. However, when Myers is playing well he's not being dragged into it. Kulikov doesn't somehow magically control him making better decisions, skating and using his hands effectively. I am more likely to agree with others here who have noticed that he plays better when he gets more minutes and responsibility. Some players need that.

Hell, even Buff himself plays better in his sweet spot of minutes.

 

[surixon]

I liked Laine's game last night. More of that, please!

Connor FINALLY gets off the snide - he needed that. I hope that gets him going again (though I think him back with Brighteyes and Wheels will do that).

I really liked the 4th line. They got a lot more minutes, no? Appleton is the right choice for that role.

I think the writing is on the wall for Petan. When a top 6 skilled winger goes down and he still doesn't get an opportunity? I know we want to hold onto him for depth but maybe it's time to deal him and give him an opportunity elsewhere. Vancouver seems an obvious choice as they could use more skill and it's his hometown?

Kulikov makes me happy. I sure hope he stays healthy because I think he will be HUGE for us in the playoffs.

I guess I don't see it with that fourth line nor see how they had an impressive game. They looked busy and played the body but they only generated one shot on net whole being on the ice for 6 against. They were also out for 5 scoring chances against and didn't generate one of their own. Not sure what they accomplished myself.

 

[Duke749]

I guess I don't see it with that fourth line nor see how they had an impressive game. They looked busy and played the body but they only generated one shot on net whole being on the ice for 6 against. They were also out for 5 scoring chances against and didn't generate one of their own. Not sure what they accomplished myself.

Petan in for Lemieux would help those issues easily most nights.

 

[Jet]

I guess I don't see it with that fourth line nor see how they had an impressive game. They looked busy and played the body but they only generated one shot on net whole being on the ice for 6 against. They were also out for 5 scoring chances against and didn't generate one of their own. Not sure what they accomplished myself.

I think it's a difference in philosophy. Some people would rather have a 4th line that is like a soft scoring line (with Petan playing on it). I would rather have a line that is aggressive, and wears down the other team. That 4th line isn't going to score a lot but with some more ice time I think they will get better at getting in on the opposition D quick and grind out a cycle and prevent chances against that way.

Might not be sexy but in the playoffs I firmly believe a 4th line that plays like that, tires the opposition out, and doesn't give up much (despite not producing a lot of offense) is way more useful. I don't want a softer 4th line that scores a bit more but gives more up and doesn't really grind the other team down.

This team is trying to win a cup, you have to build your roster for playoff hockey.

 

[Gm0ney]

The Jets just seem to match up well against the Stars for whatever reason.

 

[Duke749]

I think it's a difference in philosophy. Some people would rather have a 4th line that is like a soft scoring line (with Petan playing on it). I would rather have a line that is aggressive, and wears down the other team. That 4th line isn't going to score a lot but with some more ice time I think they will get better at getting in on the opposition D quick and grind out a cycle and prevent chances against that way.

Might not be sexy but in the playoffs I firmly believe a 4th line that plays like that, tires the opposition out, and doesn't give up much (despite not producing a lot of offense) is way more useful. I don't want a softer 4th line that scores a bit more but gives more up and doesn't really grind the other team down.

This team is trying to win a cup, you have to build your roster for playoff hockey.

How is that a difference in philosophy? I get what you’re trying to say but if they aren’t generating chances and only give them up, there is no benefit to that. All anyone wants is an effective 4th line regardless of style.

 

[jepjepjoo]

I don't get the 4th line love... Both Copp and Lemieux were on ice for 5 scoring chances against and 0 scoring chances for.

 

[puck stoppa]

The Jets just seem to match up well against the Stars for whatever reason.

Well according to their CEO it's because their stars are...………
Nevermind

 

[Jet]

How is that a difference in philosophy? I get what you’re trying to say but if they aren’t generating chances and only give them up, there is no benefit to that. All anyone wants is an effective 4th line regardless of style.

We have to be careful not to look at one game in isolation. Sure, that 4th line has work to do to get on the right side of that stat, but for me I'd rather have a 4th line that is focused on preventing and wearing down the other team, not trying to score. For me, in a low scoring playoff environment - that is far more beneficial.

That is where the philosophy differs. Surixon and others would rather that 4th line try to generate scoring chances as their main focus.

 

[Duke749]

We have to be careful not to look at one game in isolation. Sure, that 4th line has work to do to get on the right side of that stat, but for me I'd rather have a 4th line that is focused on preventing and wearing down the other team, not trying to score. For me, in a low scoring playoff environment - that is far more beneficial.

That is where the philosophy differs. Surixon and others would rather that 4th line try to generate scoring chances as their main focus.

This has been the norm with certain players. Not one game. Chasing guys for hits won’t wear anyone down except themselves.

 

[surixon]

I think it's a difference in philosophy. Some people would rather have a 4th line that is like a soft scoring line (with Petan playing on it). I would rather have a line that is aggressive, and wears down the other team. That 4th line isn't going to score a lot but with some more ice time I think they will get better at getting in on the opposition D quick and grind out a cycle and prevent chances against that way.

Might not be sexy but in the playoffs I firmly believe a 4th line that plays like that, tires the opposition out, and doesn't give up much (despite not producing a lot of offense) is way more useful. I don't want a softer 4th line that scores a bit more but gives more up and doesn't really grind the other team down.

This team is trying to win a cup, you have to build your roster for playoff hockey.

It's as Duke said, I don't really care what style a line plays as long as it can keep it's head above water.

I have a hard time seeing how a gritty fourth line that gets buried possession wise can accomplish physically wearing down a team when they spend a good chunk of their time chasing around the other team in their own end. Nor do I see how they can crash and bang and cycle effectively if they rarely have the puck in the offensive end of the ice.

Like I said I think there is too much redundancy on the line right now given that they have a great deal of trouble gaining the offensive zone or maintain puck possession once there. They need someone on the line that can at least drive some offense so that the line can gain possession and then go to work on the cycle and do what you say they should.

Personally I thought the fourth line looked really good with Petan centering Lemieux and Appelton. Petan was able to exit our zone gain the offensive zone which allowed Appelton and Lemieux more space to go do their thing. They kept control of the puck and even generated some good chances, while wearing the other team down. It's really all about balance for me. You can have a physical line even if not all players on it are bruises

 

[Positive]

I feel Myers is returning to the form I thought he was in previous years. That is, defensively ok (though not a rock), with flashes of offensive brilliance. Much better than he was at the beginning of this year where it seemed he was just bad all the way around.

When he has the puck in the offensive zone, I actually get a sense that he could make something happen. He's got a bit of creativity and tries to dangle, shoot, and score. I mean he's not some scoring machine but sometimes, he makes it happen. Better than dumping it back into the corner and having the play die.

 

[Ducky10]

I think that's a little disingenuous.

I do think Kuli is the perfect fit for Myers and makes him better. However, when Myers is playing well he's not being dragged into it. Kulikov doesn't somehow magically control him making better decisions, skating and using his hands effectively. I am more likely to agree with others here who have noticed that he plays better when he gets more minutes and responsibility. Some players need that.

Hell, even Buff himself plays better in his sweet spot of minutes.

Disingenuous?

Ok then.

 

[kanadalainen]

Any word on Copp?

 

[Ducky10]

We have to be careful not to look at one game in isolation. Sure, that 4th line has work to do to get on the right side of that stat, but for me I'd rather have a 4th line that is focused on preventing and wearing down the other team, not trying to score. For me, in a low scoring playoff environment - that is far more beneficial.

That is where the philosophy differs. Surixon and others would rather that 4th line try to generate scoring chances as their main focus.

Call me crazy but I'd rather have any line outscore their opposition. It's kind of the point.

Who exactly is this 4th line going to wear down and to what end? It's not like they are going to be out there wearing down other teams top lines in order to benefit ours. The notion is antiquated.

 

[CaptainChef]

We have to be careful not to look at one game in isolation. Sure, that 4th line has work to do to get on the right side of that stat, but for me I'd rather have a 4th line that is focused on preventing and wearing down the other team, not trying to score. For me, in a low scoring playoff environment - that is far more beneficial.

That is where the philosophy differs. Surixon and others would rather that 4th line try to generate scoring chances as their main focus.

Don't buy your argument at all. First you say that the 4th line had a good game, then when its pointed out that they gave up 5 good scoring chances with out creating any, you say its one game in isolation. They may have had a good game in the hitting department but you've got to be remain close in the scoring chances to be considered anywhere near effective.

 

[BoneDocUK]

I guess I don't see it with that fourth line nor see how they had an impressive game. They looked busy and played the body but they only generated one shot on net whole being on the ice for 6 against. They were also out for 5 scoring chances against and didn't generate one of their own. Not sure what they accomplished myself.

That's the beauty of grit. Polishes rough edges, plays hard on the boards, skates quickly in straight lines, "punishes" opposing players, seals cracks, dumps and chases, all without ostentation, like old money. I think Apples is capable of playing a more creative game, Lemmy not so much.

FWIW, I suspect this is the 4th line PoMo has long wanted. He has it now.

 

[surixon]

Any word on Copp?

He was apparently on the ice today for practice, so far so good but you never know when symptoms may turn up.

 

[LowLefty]

We have to be careful not to look at one game in isolation. Sure, that 4th line has work to do to get on the right side of that stat, but for me I'd rather have a 4th line that is focused on preventing and wearing down the other team, not trying to score. For me, in a low scoring playoff environment - that is far more beneficial.

That is where the philosophy differs. Surixon and others would rather that 4th line try to generate scoring chances as their main focus.

I agree -
The optimal would be to have both a scoring line and one that can wear you down.
Hard hitting and capable of potting a few -