Line Combos: Which forward lines do you want to see in the playoffs?

[Loach]

I would have expected Tkachuk to sit out and rest. I guess this is his conditioning game, hopefully he stays healthy.

Think he plays PP and limited minutes otherwise?

 

[God Says No]

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Zetterlund
Perron - Cozens - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Amadio
Hodgson - Cousins - Giroux

The strategy behind it is that the 2nd and 3rd lines have great chemistry so unless they aren't performing then they should be kept together.

The Tkachuk - Stutzle - Zetterlund line has shown some flashes and if it struggles you can always move Giroux back up there.

Hodgson brings a lot of speed, energy and physicality and the team doesn't have a lot of that element. I think Hodgson could help create turnovers with his aggressive forecheck and Giroux and Cousins could take advantage of those turnovers for scoring chances. I think that 4th line likely gives the Sens some timely goals or at least wears the opponent down for a line change.

Cousins is not a C. Hodgson has no case of being on the roster, let alone in the starting lineup.

 

[Norris4Norris]

Think he plays PP and limited minutes otherwise?

I don't expect Chucky to be hitting people or driving to the net very hard. The powerplay is probably the best time to get him minutes tonight.

 

[Icelevel]

ZETTERLUND-COZENS-BATHERSON

 

[xVol]

Brady-Stützle-Perron
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Grieg-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-Gaudette-Giroux

I don’t actually expect Giroux to be dumped to the 4th line, but he really hasn’t been done much lately. Keep him on the PK and PP2.

 

[DanyHeatley]

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Zetterlund - Cozens - Batherson
Grieg - Pinto - Amadio
Cousins - Gaudette - Perron
Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Matinpalo
Ullmark
Forsberg
Highmore, Crooker, Hamonic

 

[aragorn]

Zetterlund had a pretty good 1st period, the entire team sucked in the second especially goaltending, but they made an unexpected comeback in the 3rd for the win which is all that mattered. I must say, Gaudette had himself a game maybe with the rumours of him sitting out to start the playoffs, I think it is pretty much assured now he starts at 4th C. I also like Zetterlund to play with Cozens &Batherson & playing Perron on the 4th might make that 4th line better with three solid vets.

 

[DanyHeatley]

Zetterlund had a pretty good 1st period, the entire team sucked in the second especially goaltending, but they made an unexpected comeback in the 3rd for the win which is all that mattered. I must say, Gaudette had himself a game maybe with the rumours of him sitting out to start the playoffs, I think it is pretty much assured now he starts at 4th C. I also like Zetterlund to play with Cozens &Batherson & playing Perron on the 4th might make that 4th line better with three solid vets.

You lose out on Zetterlund’s offensive potential. Need to put him with offensive guys, he’s not a 4th line type of player. Compared to Perron whose a utility vet guy that went on a streak with Batherson and Cozens. That line is clicking but he’s only got 1g1a in the last 13 games, safe to assume he’s cooled down a little bit.
I can understand trying to balance the line up. But the offensive losses you’re getting anchoring Zetterlund to a 4th line role is not worth the offensive output you get, if you put him with players with skill and can drive play. He’s done everything but score. He passes the eye test IMHO

 

[L'Aveuglette]

You lose out on Zetterlund’s offensive potential. Need to put him with offensive guys, he’s not a 4th line type of player. Compared to Perron whose a utility vet guy that went on a streak with Batherson and Cozens. That line is clicking but he’s only got 1g1a in the last 13 games, safe to assume he’s cooled down a little bit.
I can understand trying to balance the line up. But the offensive losses you’re getting anchoring Zetterlund to a 4th line role is not worth the offensive output you get, if you put him with players with skill and can drive play. He’s done everything but score. He passes the eye test IMHO

 

[Ouroboros]

Gaudette has been picking up the extra PK time lately in the absence of Highmore, which is kind of crazy but definitely suggests that he's not going to be scratched.

I could see Perron being dropped to the 4th line for sure. He's gone cold down the stretch with only 2 points is his last 10 games, and he's a likely candidate to struggle with the pace at his age. He may not start there, but I think he could end up there at some point.

Kinda think that if Matinpalo sucks they should put Gilbert in on his off side. You just can't put Hamonic into a playoff game. It's nice that they got him to 900 games, but I think it has to be clear to everybody that he's just too much of a liability at this point.

Tkachuk-Stustzle-Giroux
Perron/Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-Gaudette-Perron/Zetterlund

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Matinpalo
Gilbert

Ullmark
Forsberg

 

[aragorn]

You lose out on Zetterlund’s offensive potential. Need to put him with offensive guys, he’s not a 4th line type of player. Compared to Perron whose a utility vet guy that went on a streak with Batherson and Cozens. That line is clicking but he’s only got 1g1a in the last 13 games, safe to assume he’s cooled down a little bit.
I can understand trying to balance the line up. But the offensive losses you’re getting anchoring Zetterlund to a 4th line role is not worth the offensive output you get, if you put him with players with skill and can drive play. He’s done everything but score. He passes the eye test IMHO

I thought I mentioned putting Zetterlund with Cozens & Batherson, are they not offensive guys? And I mentioned placing Perron on the 4th line with Cousins & Gaudette to form a vet 4th line.

 

[DanyHeatley]

I thought I mentioned putting Zetterlund with Cozens & Batherson, are they not offensive guys? And I mentioned placing Perron on the 4th line with Cousins & Gaudette to form a vet 4th line.

Yes meant to agree without, instead I went on a rant

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

I think this also sets up conversation for next year and how the performances of Perron and Giroux can either get them a spot for next year or not. But ideally:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-xxxx
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-xxxxx-xxxxx

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Leevi

After everyone's extensions, I can see us having a powerful 4th line and a terrific option alongside Stutzle:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Ehlers
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-Bjugstad-Brazeau

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Leevi

 

[Icelevel]

I think this also sets up conversation for next year and how the performances of Perron and Giroux can either get them a spot for next year or not. But ideally:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-xxxx
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-xxxxx-xxxxx

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Leevi

After everyone's extensions, I can see us having a powerful 4th line and a terrific option alongside Stutzle:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Ehlers
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-Bjugstad-Brazeau

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Leevi

Perron is signed next year.

 

[Cosmix]

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Perron - Cozens - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Amadio
Cousins - Gaudette - Zetterlund

Probably the only logical way to go for the start at least…

This is my choice; you can have some players change positions and lines if a player goes cold on a line such as changing Zetterlund for Giroux and then Giroux for Amadio. Hot rises while cold falls. Hodgson would play when toughness is required.

D would be:

Chabot - Jensen
Sanderson - Zub
Kleven - Matinpalo

Gilbert would play when toughness is required.

Goaltenders:

Ullmark
Merillainen

 

[Cosmix]

I think this also sets up conversation for next year and how the performances of Perron and Giroux can either get them a spot for next year or not. But ideally:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-xxxx
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-xxxxx-xxxxx

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Leevi

After everyone's extensions, I can see us having a powerful 4th line and a terrific option alongside Stutzle:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Ehlers
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-Bjugstad-Brazeau

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Leevi

3 new forwards to replace Giroux, Perron, Gaudette & Highmore.
No new Ds. We need a better RD on the 3rd pair to replace Matinpalo who would be 7th D.
Merillainen at backup G looks excellent rather than Forsberg.!

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Perron is signed next year.

We have a GM for a reason. Move him.

3 new forwards to replace Giroux, Perron, Gaudette & Highmore.
No new Ds. We need a better RD on the 3rd pair to replace Matinpalo who would be 7th D.
Merillainen at backup G looks excellent rather than Forsberg.!

We could do some serious damage changing Giroux's 6.5 and Perron's 4 million into someone useful.

The cap going up will cover the increases to Zetter, Pinto. I'll allocate Forsberg's 2.75 to Leevi + buyouts.

We have potentially 7-8 million to bring in a serious threat with Stutzle.

 

[DylanSensFan]

None of the above.

my forward lines for playoffs

Tkachuk - Stü - Giroux
Zetterlund - Cozens - Batherson
Grieg - Pinto - Amadio
Perron - Gaudette - Cousins

 

[Agent Zub]

If we being real, giroux should be on the 4th line lol.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

I find it funny that this thread is about forwards specifically because EVERY Sens fan knows that our D should be

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Matinpalo

 

[Golden_Jet]

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Perron - Cozens - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Amadio
Cousins - Gaudette - Zetterlund

Probably the only logical way to go for the start at least…

Ya agree, Then if a winger is struggling in a game, you move Zetterlund up.

 

[Blotto71]

Is Crookshank able to play?

 

[Blotto71]

I think Giroux needs to play sparingly in the right spot, at the right time.

Tkachuk - StutLe - Zetturland
Perron - Cozens - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Amadio
Cousins - Giroux - Crookshank

Giroux is on the PP and PK, and can move up the lineup when the timing is right or as needed. I just think asking him to play top 6 minutes, PP, PK is to much.

 

[LiseL]

I chose group 4 because:
- I don't want to change the 3rd line
- Green will keep Gaudette, esp after his 2 goals last night

However, group 3 could work if you occasionally swap Perron/Giroux if the 2nd line isn't clicking. I think it's OK if Giroux gets less top 6 minutes 5v5 as he plays in the PK and PP.

With group 4, I could see Zetterlund being swapped out for Giroux/Perron a few shifts during the game to give him more ice-time and let Giroux/Perron stay relatively fresh.

It's nice to know Green will have some options if they're not scoring or getting enough possession time. I really hope they drill it into the players to only ice the puck if there is no option to exit the zone and no clear path to get it deep enough without creating a turnover. It worries me that they were panicking so often during the regular season, imagine the playoffs.

 

[LiseL]

I’d put Zetterlund and Cousins with him.

I agree. That 3rd line is the shutdown line. Putting Z and Cousins with Gaudette would make them a scoring threat. As for Z's defensive play, if it's not good enough for the 4th line, then how can it be good enough for the 1st? Stu and Brady are not defensive beasts. They've improved this year but still a work in progress.