Consistent Lines Yet

Équipe: 2018-19 Penguins de Pittsburgh

Date de création initiale: 28 nov. 2018

Publié: 28 nov. 2018

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Sullivan had some interesting quotes about the game last night. Not sure it holds if they drop a game here and there, but it was the first time he made a comment directed at specific lines.

Guentzel-Crosby-Simon has been great. Obviously any winger will look solidified playing alongside of Sid, but Simon has impressed me so much this season. He is rarely out of position and has made some ridiculous passes like we saw on the first goal last night. Keep it this way unless/untill Simon regresses playing 1st line minutes.

Pearson-Malkin-Rust is interesting to me. No doubt Pearson has found himself playing with Malkin (just like the above line, it helps when your center is Sid/Geno). Rust is currently in one of the most incredible goal droughts I have seen in some time. Truthfully he has been playing great the past 5 games or so, he can do just about anything except bury the puck in the net. I think he hit two separate posts last night alone? Rough go. He will be fine as long as he keeps playing the way he is.

ZAR-Brassard-Kessel was put together last night which ultimately contributed to the GWG. Brassard and Kessel has been an experiment tried in the past that never really produced at the level we were hoping to see. I think a lot of that was situational, as Brassard got hurt right before playoffs and Kessel was heated due to being dropped off of Geno's line. I think now that are both healthy (please), we can finally see some of those results we were hoping for. I love the 3C system and splitting up the heavy top6 to create mismatched lineups. Hoping for the best here, but I thought this line played great in the 3rd period.

Wilson-Sheahan-Grant was awesome to watch last night. The way this season has gone, if you told me that the 4th line was going to be the difference in a game against Winnipeg I brought would have slapped you in the teeth. But hey, they deserved it. Absolute workhorses all night chipping away and getting bottom6 contributions.

Obviously when Hornqvist comes back these lines can be altered once again. My guess is that Rust would be bumped down to 4th line LW with Sheahan and Grant, and Hornqvist can hop back on Geno's line. This is probably the most ideal lineup right now, barring anymore injuries (please, no). Still think Sprong deserves to be in there as much as Wilson, no matter how hard Wilson plays. Sprong is still an asset, and I think benching him is only dampening his confidence when he is out on the ice doing what he does. This was more to try and spark discussion on what you guys think, so let me know!