Grabovski - Tavares - okposo
Lee - Nelson - Strome
Grabner - Nielsen - Kulemin
Conacher - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

or

Lee - Tavares - okposo
Grabner - Nelson - Strome
Grabovski - Nielsen - Kulemin
Conacher - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

Now you have bailey/martin/Boulton
The depth on this team is wild

I think this would be a fun fun lineup.

That bottom line would be CC CC CC by the way

So I'm a big loser and decided to look at this season compared to the last 3. I decided to look at how many games it took the Isles to reach 20 points. Figured that would be a solid score to hit for the beginning quarter of the season.

2011-12: 24th game (21 points)
2012-13: 20th game (20 points) - playoffs/lockout
2013-14: 27th game (20 points)
2014-15: 8th game (12 points) - can potentially hit 20 points
by game 12

Butchie just said "he flipped it back toward Chad's Johnson"

- Charlie21

That's why I always said, my favorite band name ever is "The Brothers Johnson".....wait for it.....

Kulemin is becoming a favorite for me and nice to see Nielsen light up the score sheet. A lot of work to be done still and someone who can coach an NHL team needs to have a chat with Capuano.

1) learn when to call a timeout
2) when a guy is completely bossing your 1st PP unit, you leave him there
3) the fourth line doesn't HAVE to come in following every goal
4) when it's obvious your team has gotten "comfortable" light a fire under their asses.

I could go on, but those are my biggest bugaboos right now. Listen, ecstatic we're 6-2 and it's nice we're winning games where we're far from our best, but there is a ton of time left and a lot of potholes we have to dodge. Gotta tighten the ship up and it starts with the coach.
- potvin05

OK...so he's been here for like six years....when do you think any of this might actually happen? Also, I'd add number 5: when the f**k is anyone going to play defense, at all, ever, just for f***ing giggles? Just to humor me, so that I don't have to have a sh*t fit while I watch the game? I guess that's two questions....

OK...so he's been here for like six years....when do you think any of this might actually happen? Also, I'd add number 5: when the f**k is anyone going to play defense, at all, ever, just for f***ing giggles? Just to humor me, so that I don't have to have a sh*t fit while I watch the game? I guess that's two questions....
- dcb1

I'm with ya man.

Grabovski - Tavares - okposo
Lee - Nelson - Strome
Grabner - Nielsen - Kulemin
Conacher - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

or

Lee - Tavares - okposo
Grabner - Nelson - Strome
Grabovski - Nielsen - Kulemin
Conacher - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

Now you have bailey/martin/Boulton
The depth on this team is wild

I think this would be a fun fun lineup.

That bottom line would be CC CC CC by the way
- Dedshark

The bold is closer to a good idea, for me- but, first of all, mediocre as he's been so far, I'd still leave Martin with Cizikas and Clutterbuck. Being 5'6" at best, Conacher is useless in the NHL if he isn't scoring, as I said, and I'd rather have that size and strength on the fourth line, in case someone needs a punch in the face, for example. To play in the NHL regularly at that size, you either have to be the fastest player on the ice, or the most talented player on the ice (or you have to be a really smart player, like Hickey). Conacher isn't any of that- and he's also no good in his own end of the ice. I'd also probably switch Grabovski with Grabner, since Grabs is one of our very few forwards who can actually block a shot. To me that would be a pretty d*mn good 3rd line, right there. Grabovski would be better off on the second scoring line, with Nelson and Strome.

That said, the one thing I 100% agree with here is that to me, Lee is ideal for the Tavares line, assuming Nelson remains at center on the second line. He's big, he's strong, and he knows how to play that Moulson game, sweeping in the garbage. He also hustles and thinks about what he's doing (as I said before, he was captain at Notre Dame- captain means he's the guy who leads, and those kind of guys usually won't shirk any responsibility that they can handle), and will eventually be a complete winger, which Moulson never was.

OK...so he's been here for like six years....when do you think any of this might actually happen? Also, I'd add number 5: when the f**k is anyone going to play defense, at all, ever, just for f***ing giggles? Just to humor me, so that I don't have to have a sh*t fit while I watch the game? I guess that's two questions....
- dcb1

Remember last year when they had all those injuries near the end of the season and they decided to play more of a conservative game and they were winning with an AHL roster. Why not play that way now? Why wait until there is no other choice?

I'm with ya man.
- potvin05

I'm tired of needing to watch hockey while drinking Pepto-Bismol, instead of beer.

Remember last year when they had all those injuries near the end of the season and they decided to play more of a conservative game and they were winning with an AHL roster. Why not play that way now? Why wait until there is no other choice?
- Vukota

Exactly- you can get ANYONE to have far more success playing hockey by simply playing defense. I've been using Latvia as an example, but this one works just as well. This team would be 8-0 right now (at least 7-1, anyway- Pittsburgh played a really good game that night) if it played defense, and it's not going to be able to sustain this level of success if it thinks its best chance is to score 6 every night in order to win. It simply isn't going to happen, especially down the stretch, as it goes for a playoff spot- it may end up in a death spiral it can't get out of, unless someone straightens that out before we get to the end of February. I just don't see anyone on the staff that is already here who can solve that problem.

Remember last year when they had all those injuries near the end of the season and they decided to play more of a conservative game and they were winning with an AHL roster. Why not play that way now? Why wait until there is no other choice?
- Vukota

Great question Vukota. No reason this team needs to play jailbreak hockey. They have enough offensive talent and still play a conservative game.

I'm tired of needing to watch hockey while drinking Pepto-Bismol, instead of beer.
- dcb1

Great question Vukota. No reason this team needs to play jailbreak hockey. They have enough offensive talent and still play a conservative game.
- ses111

I don't see them playing "jailbreak hockey". They definitely use the d as a 4th forward to join the play but most teams now play that way. There havent been many goals scored against 5 on 5 from odd man rushes. The isles have done a good job getting pucks deep overall.
5 on 5 the isles are ok. A lot of the goals scored against are from penalties (PP goals). The penalty kill needs to be better.
I hate to be the guy to say this but Tavares has been the one who's started out slow. Perhaps it's conacher......who knows.

Grabovski - Tavares - okposo
Lee - Nelson - Strome
Grabner - Nielsen - Kulemin
Conacher - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

or

Lee - Tavares - okposo
Grabner - Nelson - Strome
Grabovski - Nielsen - Kulemin
Conacher - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

Now you have bailey/martin/Boulton
The depth on this team is wild

I think this would be a fun fun lineup.

That bottom line would be CC CC CC by the way
- Dedshark

I like your lines on the top. Grabovski on the first line...

I don't see them playing "jailbreak hockey". They definitely use the d as a 4th forward to join the play but most teams now play that way. There havent been many goals scored against 5 on 5 from odd man rushes. The isles have done a good job getting pucks deep overall.
5 on 5 the isles are ok. A lot of the goals scored against are from penalties (PP goals). The penalty kill needs to be better.
I hate to be the guy to say this but Tavares has been the one who's started out slow. Perhaps it's conacher......who knows.
- kindlyrick

JT was bad last night but I wouldn't say he has started off slow. He leads the league in points

I like your lines on the top. Grabovski on the first line...
- kindlyrick

How do you break up....

Kuli... Grabs... Nielsen

Nelson... Strome... Lee

after last nights game.

Leave the lines... once Hamonic is back and takes over for Strait, the team looks solid.

JT was bad last night but I wouldn't say he has started off slow. He leads the league in points
- Vukota

I wasn't referring to his stats......I should have said it differently (although I don't think JT leads the league in pts) I feel like he doesn't look as dominant on that line. I don't see chemistry with conacher. It's still early, but is conacher really "on the level".

How do you break up....

Kuli... Grabs... Nielsen

Nelson... Strome... Lee

after last nights game.

Leave the lines... once Hamonic is back and takes over for Strait, the team looks solid.
- jimmc7722

I didn't say break up the Lee/Nelson/Strome line.

I just said give grabovski the top left wing spot and replace him with grabner. Grabner is a similar type player and would keep that line (Fran's and kulemin) in tact. Grabovski is talented enough to create space and bury from JT

I don't see them playing "jailbreak hockey". They definitely use the d as a 4th forward to join the play but most teams now play that way. There havent been many goals scored against 5 on 5 from odd man rushes. The isles have done a good job getting pucks deep overall.
5 on 5 the isles are ok. A lot of the goals scored against are from penalties (PP goals). The penalty kill needs to be better.
I hate to be the guy to say this but Tavares has been the one who's started out slow. Perhaps it's conacher......who knows.
- kindlyrick

Well, if being 5th in the league in scoring right there with names like Crosby, Perry, Getzlaf and Seguin, all while being more reliable defensively than I remember seeing from any other year in the league, is "start[ing] out slow," then I agree Shoot, I wish every other forward would start out that slow!

I think we all know Conacher's not the answer on the first line. Even the coaches, who are notoriously slow on the uptake with these sorts of things, seem to know it, which is why they've switched up that line in-game twice and also during practice. When Cappy's ready to stop running back to his security blanket lineup to start a game, I think we'll see a change there...

However, even if that's not the ideal third guy for the first line, I'm not sure if I immediately mess with the lines that just went out there and scored 5 even strength goals against a very good team. When the scoring cools down a bit, or when the two injured forwards are back (whichever comes first), then they can mix things up. I don't think Conacher will be on the first line come game 20.

Now, can we talk about the issue of taking your biggest shot, PP point% leader (by far), and PP point leader (tied) off of the power play in favor of a lineup that has yet to register a power play goal? Seems they had success with Boychuk bouncing pucks off of Nelson and into the net on the power play, and now neither is on it...

Well, if being 5th in the league in scoring right there with names like Crosby, Perry, Getzlaf and Seguin, all while being more reliable defensively than I remember seeing from any other year in the league, is "start
- UIF[ing] out slow," then I agree Shoot, I wish every other forward would start out that slow!

I think we all know Conacher's not the answer on the first line. Even the coaches, who are notoriously slow on the uptake with these sorts of things, seem to know it, which is why they've switched up that line in-game twice and also during practice. When Cappy's ready to stop running back to his security blanket lineup to start a game, I think we'll see a change there...

However, even if that's not the ideal third guy for the first line, I'm not sure if I immediately mess with the lines that just went out there and scored 5 even strength goals against a very good team. When the scoring cools down a bit, or when the two injured forwards are back (whichever comes first), then they can mix things up. I don't think Conacher will be on the first line come game 20.

Now, can we talk about the issue of taking your biggest shot, PP point% leader (by far), and PP point leader (tied) off of the power play in favor of a lineup that has yet to register a power play goal? Seems they had success with Boychuk bouncing pucks off of Nelson and into the net on the power play, and now neither are on it...

Look there's no denying Tavares' talent. But, regardless of his pt production which will come regardless with him. His play hasn't been as sharp. He's made some questionable passes and his usual dominance isn't every shift.

I never said break up lines. I just would replace conacher with grabovski when grabner gets back.
The PP had three games that it looked like crap and I think went scoreless. You can't keep Boychuk out there for all two min on the PP and have him play PK. Viznovsky is certainly capable of playing some Pp minutes.

He took the isles to the eastern finals in 1993 and then they got rid of him. I'd be pissed off.
- kindlyrick

and in 1994, he played for the Rangers.
How pissed ya think he was winning the Cup?

I don't see them playing "jailbreak hockey". They definitely use the d as a 4th forward to join the play but most teams now play that way. There havent been many goals scored against 5 on 5 from odd man rushes. The isles have done a good job getting pucks deep overall.
5 on 5 the isles are ok. A lot of the goals scored against are from penalties (PP goals). The penalty kill needs to be better.
I hate to be the guy to say this but Tavares has been the one who's started out slow. Perhaps it's conacher......who knows.
- kindlyrick

The problem is the fourth d-man needs to know WHEN to join the play. He can't just do whatever, whenever he feels like it. Also, the forwards need to be more aggressive in the neutral zone, and the defensemen need to stop collapsing toward the net, instead of stepping up and forcing the issue. They also NEED to block shots- not half a$$ed pretend to block shots, but actually block them.

and in 1994, he played for the Rangers.
How pissed ya think he was winning the Cup?
- jmo16

The statement that was made was why does he speak poorly about the isles. To which I responded with, perhaps it has something to do with then dropping him after his run...

The problem is the fourth d-man needs to know WHEN to join the play. He can't just do whatever, whenever he feels like it. Also, the forwards need to be more aggressive in the neutral zone, and the defensemen need to stop collapsing toward the net, instead of stepping up and forcing the issue. They also NEED to block shots- not half a$$ed pretend to block shots, but actually block them.
- dcb1

I have to admit. For as much crap as I talk about Hickey, he's looked really solid the last few games. It seems like he's been picking the right spots to jump up and join the play.

JT was bad last night but I wouldn't say he has started off slow. He leads the league in points
- Vukota

you try playing with two and three guys on you everytime you handle the puck.

PP has looked different each of the last 3 games. Sometimes 4 forwards+ 1D, others 3 & 2. Tavares doesn't have BAD games....sometimes he just doesn't have Tavares games.

The problem is the fourth d-man needs to know WHEN to join the play. He can't just do whatever, whenever he feels like it. Also, the forwards need to be more aggressive in the neutral zone, and the defensemen need to stop collapsing toward the net, instead of stepping up and forcing the issue. They also NEED to block shots- not half a$$ed pretend to block shots, but actually block them.
- dcb1

Dallas may have the best 1st line in the NHL. Watched them vs. Devils on Friday. Knew they would be a problem last night. Good thing we only play them once or twice a season. Think Seguin is edging out Taylor Hall, at this point.