If everyone is healthy, this is my opinion on what the lineup should look like for playoffs. Difficult to set a lineup considering the depth that this team has.
Lineup untouchables - First three forward lines as listed below, plus Nosek. Top four D including Clifton.
Nosek stays because of his underrated skills. Faceoff percentage, PK, d-zone time, etc.
Clifton stays because he is a righty, having a great year, plays bigger than his size, plays gritty, can hold his own.
Have Frederic, Hathaway, and Foligno as a rotation for the remaining two spots on the fourth line.
I would like to keep Hathaway in the lineup regularly, as he's tough to play against, plays physical, and has experience.
At the same time it is tough to argue considering the veteran leadership Foligno brings as well as the season that Frederic is having. Both are having great seaosns for themselves, with Frederic having a career year and Foligno having a little resurgence this year.
Grzelcyk would be my first choice to sit in the playoffs for the defense. Teams will take advantage of his size and eat him up as shown before in previous playoff years. Granted he was hurt in previous seasons but I would expect him to bounce in and out of the lineup.
Forbort plays lots of PK minutes and had a great playoff last year. Has the size to stay but lacks speed and quickness. He could be rotated in/out of the lineup throughout the playoffs but I would keep him in.
Greer sits, easily the worst forward on the team.
Reilly and Stralman are called up for depth, Zboril also a healthy scratch as well. I could see Reilly playing over Zboril based upon his experience.
Ullmark plays over Swayman.
Overall, I see a solid rotation of forwards and defense throughout the playoffs. I would prefer this lineup to begin with if everyone is healthy. Just my opinion, tough to make a lineup considering the options. Let me know what you think.
Just can’t see them sitting grzelcyk consistently. He’s too good. I think it will be matchup dependent with Forbort and Clifton cycling out. Good problem to have.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
koofyslappa a aimé ceci.
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