Playoffs time

If Kucherov comes back they are so stacked

If they’re playing a finesse team in the playoffs have the 4th line of Johnson centering Volkov and Joseph

I like Schenn over Foote. Schenn gives us a good physical element that I believe will be valuable in the playoffs.

Foote will play more much more gifted skater and 6’4” 228
He is a Foote

This is definitely the emulate last season strategy with the main change being Stamkos on the 2nd line now, but I had another idea here. Stamos and Point have looked good together thus far, Johnson played a good game yesterday, and the 2nd line as a whole has been great both games. So, what if we kept the 2nd line together, move Stamkos to LW, and Palat down to 3LW.

Stamkos/Point/Kucherov
Killorn/Cirelli/Johnson
Palat/Gourde/Coleman
Goodrow/Stephens/Maroon

I know your first response is going to be to not break up the 3rd line, but the 4th line has been rough so far, Palat is a much better player than Goodrow and practically has on-ice chemistry with everyone, and Goodrow would fill the 4th line role better than Johnson.

We'll have to see what kind of season everyone has, but I think we're all being a little too optimistic on what kind of form Kucherov will be in when he returns.