huh. i'm surprised. ya. that's probably it. though maroon likely makes it into the lineup if healthy.

Yeah Maroon probably takes Brazeau's spot on the 4th line if he's healthy.

Who do you see as the Black Aces?

Until Providence's season continue, they shouldn't carry many extra players. Brazeau, Beecher and Lohrei should be in the lineup either in Boston or Providence depending on how they play over the next 5 weeks. So the 7th D between Peeke/Shattenkirk and one forward (Lauko?). Maybe they call up a 3rd goalie although both Bussi and Dipietro would benefit more from playing in Providence than sitting in the press box.

I hope Providence extends their playoff success, but here are the three names I’d like around the team to just see playoff hockey in case they don’t.
- Poitras
- Lysell
- Bussi

If I was Monty, my playoff lineup would be

Heinen - Zacha - Pasta
Marchand - Coyle - Debrusk
JVR - Geekie - Freddy
Boqvist - Beecher - Maroon/Brazeau

Lauko, Richard, Lysell, Merk as depth for forwards (Lauko/Richard for bottom 6 roles and Lysell and Merk if they need to fill top 6). Don't think its ideal for Lysell/Merk to get their first looks in the NHL during the playoffs though.

Lohrei/Grz - McAvoy
Lindholm - Carlo
Wotherspoon - Peeke

Shattenkirk and either Grz/Lohrei being the depth pieces for D. I'd give the nod to Lohrei today, but understand they prob go with Grz to start for the vet experience.

I think Grz will get the first pairing. Curious to see if it is Wotherspoon or Lohrei on the third line. Probably matchup dependent.

Peeke has looked good (surprised he got scratched as much with the size/talent level he’s displaying), but I can see some Wotherspoon/Shattenkirk options as well.

I want no part of those black aces playing. Just think they’d benefit from seeing what it takes to prepare

Poitras is out until July

I realize that. Would still love him to be with the team as opposed to away from it, so he can see the preparation.

Peeke has looked very good to his start with the Bruins - Shattenkirk with a 3 point game last night. I could also see that being a match-up dependent situation.

With Lauko's recent downward trend in play and JVR banged up, I am surprised the Bs haven't given either Lysell or Merk some looks next to Geekie and Freddy.

He's already with the team regularly and should stay until the end of the season, he isn't alone at home.



I'd argue Lauko has played his best hockey of the season in the current month. The Lauko-Boqvist-Brazeau was rolling for a while until JVR was out last week in Montreal, Beecher went in, played well and stayed in next game over Lauko who was unfairly scratched. He played well with Geekie and Frederic last game too. At this point, it's unlikely Merkulov or Lysell will get any chance unless 2-3 forwards get injured.

They have a limited amount of moves they can do and still have to manage injuries. I don’t see Lysell or Merkulov moving up barring injury.

The one curious thing is that I viewed the inclusion of Zboril in the Peeke deal. I believe that was to keep the roster slot open to make an offer to a college free agent forward. I could see them potentially use a slot in the Collin Graf sweepstakes to get rid of one of the ELC years.