Woof, that's a line just begging for goals against
- MaximumBone

Athanasiou - McDavid - Ennis
Nuge - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Archibald - Sheahan - Kassian
Nygard - Haas - Neal

Maybe this could work too

Yes you can switch Ennis and Kassian when needed but that’s the lines they should run with....Nurse really needs Klefbom back ASAP
- RatedR80

I think Benning should had play today and have W.Lag sit

Can’t be worse then Chiasson or Khaira in that mix
- RatedR80

I'd rather Khaira be there if only for his PK success. For all his faults, Chiasson doesn't get caved in goals-wise. Kassian also isn't exactly a defensive stud himself.

I'd much rather have low variance on those bottom-6 lines than high-risk, low-reward like Neal.

Athanasiou - McDavid - Ennis
Nuge - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Archibald - Sheahan - Kassian
Nygard - Haas - Neal

Maybe this could work too
- RatedR80

I would prefer

AA- McDavid- Kassian
Nuge- Drai- Yamo
Ennis- Sheahan- Arch
Nygard- Haas- Chiasson
Khaira/Neal (sub-in depending on opponent)

I would prefer

AA- McDavid- Kassian
Nuge- Drai- Yamo
Ennis- Sheahan- Arch
Nygard- Haas- Chiasson
Khaira/Neal (sub-in depending on opponent)
- MaximumBone

I wanted the AK-97 line but Ennis surprised me tonight and that line got better as the game went on....as I said I could flip flop between the two guys but for the love of everything get Chiasson off the PP unit....no excuse for him to be there now

I wanted the AK-97 line but Ennis surprised me tonight and that line got better as the game went on....as I said I could flip flop between the two guys but for the love of everything get Chiasson off the PP unit....no excuse for him to be there now
- RatedR80

I'd have Yamo take Chiasson's spot on the PP. Neither Neal nor Chiasson have done much to earn that spot like Yamo has. If they're worried about tiring him out while running that line heavy at evens, maybe give Ennis the net front chance while he's playing down the line-up to keep his confidence up.

But I agree. Rotate Ennis and Kassian based on game state and need in the moment.

I wanted the AK-97 line but Ennis surprised me tonight and that line got better as the game went on....as I said I could flip flop between the two guys but for the love of everything get Chiasson off the PP unit....no excuse for him to be there now
- RatedR80

I wouldn't touch that McJesus line....I know is only one game but if tomorrow we see more of the same then it needs to stay........Tippet needs to work on finding whatever combination of players for the Third and fourth lines.

I'd have Yamo take Chiasson's spot on the PP. Neither Neal nor Chiasson have done much to earn that spot like Yamo has. If they're worried about tiring him out while running that line heavy at evens, maybe give Ennis the net front chance while he's playing down the line-up to keep his confidence up.

But I agree. Rotate Ennis and Kassian based on game state and need in the moment.
- MaximumBone

That would be so much better then giving Chiasson those PP minutes....speaking of PP it seems to need Klefbom on the blueline

I wouldn't touch that McJesus line....I know is only one game but if tomorrow we see more of the same then it needs to stay........Tippet needs to work on finding whatever combination of players for the Third and fourth lines.
- AlEx_OiL

If they can keep it up it would be hard to justify breaking it up but we shall see what happens.....I did notice McDavid was playing a little faster then normal tonight

That would be so much better then giving Chiasson those PP minutes....speaking of PP it seems to need Klefbom on the blueline
- RatedR80

Bear needs more PP time......I think Bear can be better.

If they can keep it up it would be hard to justify breaking it up but we shall see what happens.....I did notice McDavid was playing a little faster then normal tonight
- RatedR80

He was flying....I hope is a better game tomorrow.

I hope Neal gets back soon to take over Chiasson PP time, he doesn't do much at all.

Kassian should play third line, leave AA and Ennis with McJesus.
- AlEx_OiL

Holy poop when did you start posting without emojis?

I would prefer

AA- McDavid- Kassian
Nuge- Drai- Yamo
Ennis- Sheahan- Arch
Nygard- Haas- Chiasson
Khaira/Neal (sub-in depending on opponent)
- MaximumBone

Here’s mine for regular season, please poke holes in it maxboner

Ennis - McDavid - Kassian
Neal - Nuge - Drai
AA - Sheahan - Yammers
Nygard - Haas - Chiasson
Khaira

Klef - Bear
Nurse - Larsson
Jones - Green
Benning

PK/PP way different. RFAs in AA and Yam play on that 3rd so they can earn their negotiating leverage (obviously different for playoffs/race) until their signed. Flip Neal as soon as there is interest if his numbers inflate.

... nvm... this is why GMs aren’t coaches.

Here’s mine for regular season, please poke holes in it maxboner

Ennis - McDavid - Kassian
Neal - Nuge - Drai
AA - Sheahan - Yammers
Nygard - Haas - Chiasson
Khaira

Klef - Bear
Nurse - Larsson
Jones - Green
Benning

PK/PP way different. RFAs in AA and Yam play on that 3rd so they can earn their negotiating leverage (obviously different for playoffs/race) until their signed. Flip Neal as soon as there is interest if his numbers inflate.

... nvm... this is why GMs aren’t coaches.
- RonPielep

Might i suggest something more like:
AA - CMD - Ennis
Nuge - Drai - Yamo
Neal - CMD/Drai/Nuge - Kass
Hass - Sheahan - Archie

Klef - Larsson
Nurse - Bear
Benning - Green

Rotating the 3rd C through our 3 best forwards double shifting every third shift makes us that much more difficult. They already double McDavid A LOT. Why not do it to Drai and Nuge as well and free up a spot for a specialist of some sort. Like Khaira can sit until a PK.

Here’s mine for regular season, please poke holes in it maxboner

Ennis - McDavid - Kassian
Neal - Nuge - Drai
AA - Sheahan - Yammers
Nygard - Haas - Chiasson
Khaira

Klef - Bear
Nurse - Larsson
Jones - Green
Benning

PK/PP way different. RFAs in AA and Yam play on that 3rd so they can earn their negotiating leverage (obviously different for playoffs/race) until their signed. Flip Neal as soon as there is interest if his numbers inflate.

... nvm... this is why GMs aren’t coaches.
- RonPielep

Biggest hole to poke: Neal on the 2nd is gross

I don't like breaking up the scoring lines just to attempt to spread the scoring (attempt because I don't think it would work) and even less so when one of the promotions is completely unearned. Lastly, did you have Archibald assassinated or did he die in a tragic train accident?

Might i suggest something more like:
AA - CMD - Ennis
Nuge - Drai - Yamo
Neal - CMD/Drai/Nuge - Kass
Hass - Sheahan - Archie

Klef - Larsson
Nurse - Bear
Benning - Green

Rotating the 3rd C through our 3 best forwards double shifting every third shift makes us that much more difficult. They already double McDavid A LOT. Why not do it to Drai and Nuge as well and free up a spot for a specialist of some sort. Like Khaira can sit until a PK.
- wreckage

I don't mind this concept, but would prefer to swap Ennis and Kassian. Otherwise, anytime Draisaitl rotated on to that line we would have a nightmare in our own end. He's mostly fine defensively but he hasn't shown much of an ability to cover for the defensive deficiencies of his linemates.

I also prefer to not immediately remove Kassian from Connor's line AFTER signing the ill-advised extension. Quite literally the exact opposite of the what we should do, in my opinion.

Have you ever noticed that when Drai and Nurse are on at the same time we're either hemmed in our own end for the whole shift or digging the puck out of our net?

These two players MUST be better defensively if we're to compete in the post season. Draisaitl just doesn't seem to care defensively, as if he's playing shinny hockey out there. Nurse just continues to have a ton of heart but he makes such bone-headed decisions. On the bright side, Ethan Bear is a beast and he has been covering up Nurse's errors all season.

I think it will come...well, I hope.

Have you ever noticed that when Drai and Nurse are on at the same time we're either hemmed in our own end for the whole shift or digging the puck out of our net?

These two players MUST be better defensively if we're to compete in the post season. Draisaitl just doesn't seem to care defensively, as if he's playing shinny hockey out there. Nurse just continues to have a ton of heart but he makes such bone-headed decisions. On the bright side, Ethan Bear is a beast and he has been covering up Nurse's errors all season.

I think it will come...well, I hope.
- JLO961

[Note: This may be a bigger response than you wanted]

While I don't disagree with the second paragraph, my initial impression is to think this is confirmation bias telling you something that isn't happening to the extremes you're suggesting. That being said, it's an intriguing case that I'll look into now.

So Draisaitl and Nurse have been on-ice together for 30 goals for and 30 goals against and their possession numbers are around team average- even slightly above. In a unique twist of cosmic fate, Draisaitl has also been on-ice for 30 goals for and 30 goals against when away from Nurse.

However, they ARE being outchanced from high-danger areas with when together:

46.4% w/ both
48% w/ just Drai
54.6% w/ just Nurse
49.1% w/o either

From this we can infer that Drai is an overall mild drag on defending the important areas compared to the team average (48 Vs 49.1) and that the two of them together seem to struggle more when together (46.4 Vs 48 & 54.6) implying that there could be something to your theory. Now what if we remove McDavid's time with them?

After separating their minutes together from those minutes with McDavid, they're actually still 9-8. A slight improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Here's where I think your theory starts to take some hold. Drai and Nurse together but w/o McDavid post a 38.2% (!!!) high-danger chance ratio.

As this observation of yours is likely from recent experience and since Drai has spent the last 2 months playing away from Connor, I wanted to check these results to those with Yamamoto (to make sure he wasn't just REALLY bad in his short stint away from Connor back in Nov/Dec). Lo-and-behold! It matches up pretty well with Drai w/ Nurse & Yamo posting a 37.5% high-danger chance ratio when together.

Despite my initial skepticism, I must say that you may be onto something. There's something about the way that dominant forward line plays when on-ice with Nurse (and Bear, keep in mind) that leads to much greater HD chances against than otherwise. Perhaps the mix of high pressure forechecking and risk-taking from the Fs in conjunction with Nurse's tendency for braincramps.

As a counterpoint to this, it's only fair to mention that despite getting otuchanced like this together, they have consistently managed to win the goal share battle. While fewer chances against would be great, the fact that they're not allowing those chances to be goals is something. This will be something to keep an eye on.

- MaximumBone[Note: This may be a bigger response than you wanted]

While I don't disagree with the second paragraph, my initial impression is to think this is confirmation bias telling you something that isn't happening to the extremes you're suggesting. That being said, it's an intriguing case that I'll look into now.

So Draisaitl and Nurse have been on-ice together for 30 goals for and 30 goals against and their possession numbers are around team average- even slightly above. In a unique twist of cosmic fate, Draisaitl has also been on-ice for 30 goals for and 30 goals against when away from Nurse.

However, they ARE being outchanced from high-danger areas with when together:

46.4% w/ both
48% w/ just Drai
54.6% w/ just Nurse
49.1% w/o either

From this we can infer that Drai is an overall mild drag on defending the important areas compared to the team average (48 Vs 49.1) and that the two of them together seem to struggle more when together (46.4 Vs 48 & 54.6) implying that there could be something to your theory. Now what if we remove McDavid's time with them?

After separating their minutes together from those minutes with McDavid, they're actually still 9-8. A slight improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Here's where I think your theory starts to take some hold. Drai and Nurse together but w/o McDavid post a 38.2% (!!!) high-danger chance ratio.

As this observation of yours is likely from recent experience and since Drai has spent the last 2 months playing away from Connor, I wanted to check these results to those with Yamamoto (to make sure he wasn't just REALLY bad in his short stint away from Connor back in Nov/Dec). Lo-and-behold! It matches up pretty well with Drai w/ Nurse & Yamo posting a 37.5% high-danger chance ratio when together.

Despite my initial skepticism, I must say that you may be onto something. There's something about the way that dominant forward line plays when on-ice with Nurse (and Bear, keep in mind) that leads to much greater HD chances against than otherwise. Perhaps the mix of high pressure forechecking and risk-taking from the Fs in conjunction with Nurse's tendency for braincramps.

As a counterpoint to this, it's only fair to mention that despite getting otuchanced like this together, they have consistently managed to win the goal share battle. While fewer chances against would be great, the fact that they're not allowing those chances to be goals is something. This will be something to keep an eye on.

Even as a Ducks fan I found this fascinating to read and very informative... well done-

- MaximumBone[Note: This may be a bigger response than you wanted]

While I don't disagree with the second paragraph, my initial impression is to think this is confirmation bias telling you something that isn't happening to the extremes you're suggesting. That being said, it's an intriguing case that I'll look into now.

So Draisaitl and Nurse have been on-ice together for 30 goals for and 30 goals against and their possession numbers are around team average- even slightly above. In a unique twist of cosmic fate, Draisaitl has also been on-ice for 30 goals for and 30 goals against when away from Nurse.

However, they ARE being outchanced from high-danger areas with when together:

46.4% w/ both
48% w/ just Drai
54.6% w/ just Nurse
49.1% w/o either

From this we can infer that Drai is an overall mild drag on defending the important areas compared to the team average (48 Vs 49.1) and that the two of them together seem to struggle more when together (46.4 Vs 48 & 54.6) implying that there could be something to your theory. Now what if we remove McDavid's time with them?

After separating their minutes together from those minutes with McDavid, they're actually still 9-8. A slight improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Here's where I think your theory starts to take some hold. Drai and Nurse together but w/o McDavid post a 38.2% (!!!) high-danger chance ratio.

As this observation of yours is likely from recent experience and since Drai has spent the last 2 months playing away from Connor, I wanted to check these results to those with Yamamoto (to make sure he wasn't just REALLY bad in his short stint away from Connor back in Nov/Dec). Lo-and-behold! It matches up pretty well with Drai w/ Nurse & Yamo posting a 37.5% high-danger chance ratio when together.

Despite my initial skepticism, I must say that you may be onto something. There's something about the way that dominant forward line plays when on-ice with Nurse (and Bear, keep in mind) that leads to much greater HD chances against than otherwise. Perhaps the mix of high pressure forechecking and risk-taking from the Fs in conjunction with Nurse's tendency for braincramps.

As a counterpoint to this, it's only fair to mention that despite getting otuchanced like this together, they have consistently managed to win the goal share battle. While fewer chances against would be great, the fact that they're not allowing those chances to be goals is something. This will be something to keep an eye on.

Really? Can you please support these findings? Maybe in a separate blog.

- MaximumBone[Note: This may be a bigger response than you wanted]

While I don't disagree with the second paragraph, my initial impression is to think this is confirmation bias telling you something that isn't happening to the extremes you're suggesting. That being said, it's an intriguing case that I'll look into now.

So Draisaitl and Nurse have been on-ice together for 30 goals for and 30 goals against and their possession numbers are around team average- even slightly above. In a unique twist of cosmic fate, Draisaitl has also been on-ice for 30 goals for and 30 goals against when away from Nurse.

However, they ARE being outchanced from high-danger areas with when together:

46.4% w/ both
48% w/ just Drai
54.6% w/ just Nurse
49.1% w/o either

From this we can infer that Drai is an overall mild drag on defending the important areas compared to the team average (48 Vs 49.1) and that the two of them together seem to struggle more when together (46.4 Vs 48 & 54.6) implying that there could be something to your theory. Now what if we remove McDavid's time with them?

After separating their minutes together from those minutes with McDavid, they're actually still 9-8. A slight improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Here's where I think your theory starts to take some hold. Drai and Nurse together but w/o McDavid post a 38.2% (!!!) high-danger chance ratio.

As this observation of yours is likely from recent experience and since Drai has spent the last 2 months playing away from Connor, I wanted to check these results to those with Yamamoto (to make sure he wasn't just REALLY bad in his short stint away from Connor back in Nov/Dec). Lo-and-behold! It matches up pretty well with Drai w/ Nurse & Yamo posting a 37.5% high-danger chance ratio when together.

Despite my initial skepticism, I must say that you may be onto something. There's something about the way that dominant forward line plays when on-ice with Nurse (and Bear, keep in mind) that leads to much greater HD chances against than otherwise. Perhaps the mix of high pressure forechecking and risk-taking from the Fs in conjunction with Nurse's tendency for braincramps.

As a counterpoint to this, it's only fair to mention that despite getting otuchanced like this together, they have consistently managed to win the goal share battle. While fewer chances against would be great, the fact that they're not allowing those chances to be goals is something. This will be something to keep an eye on.

Aren't all of your responses longer than people expected them?

Biggest hole to poke: Neal on the 2nd is gross

I don't like breaking up the scoring lines just to attempt to spread the scoring (attempt because I don't think it would work) and even less so when one of the promotions is completely unearned. Lastly, did you have Archibald assassinated or did he die in a tragic train accident?
- MaximumBone

Haha (frank)ing Archibald... nice catch!

Not sure what to do there, replace Chiasson with him maybe.

Even as a Ducks fan I found this fascinating to read and very informative... well done-
- dozerD10

Appreciate it

Aren't all of your responses longer than people expected them?
- wreckage

Yes

Yes
- MaximumBone

Could you please re-write this response with some corroborating data.