Game Day - Winnipeg @ Ottawa, 7:30PM, Thursday, October 20, 2011

NEELY wrote:You simply said they have produced consistantly, which they haven't. I don't think that line has one even strength point.

I said Spezza's line hasn't created any offense at even strength and they haven't. I'm not saying the line doesn't work, I'm saying it hasn't produced and Spezza, being the highest paid player and the center, has not produced at even strength. Neither has Michalek.

You really -- REALLY -- should prepare better. If anything, Spezza has had a problem producing on the PP.

SDH89 wrote:Am I the only one who isn't all that impressed with Condra? To me the guy has shown nothing so far, would prefer if he was on a 2 way.

I think he's looked better the last couple games...and he's been stuck on the 4th line.

Winchester apparently in for tonight...Konopka likely sitting.

NEELY wrote:Either way, I was simply correcting the notion that Alfi/Spezza/Michalek has produced. They haven't.

They've been together for a game and a period, and they've produced one of the two goals scored in that time period.

Regardless, they've produced some possession time in the offensive zone, which is extremely rare for this team.

tim1_2 wrote:Can we take a day off from pooping all over the team?

Yes, we know they stink right now. Nothing has changed in the past couple days. No line has really been productive. Yes, we know that Michalek-Spezza-Alfie hasn't produced much of anything, but they also haven't played very many games together yet. Let's just hold off on the doom and gloom until around 10 tonight, when we have another game to discuss.

You are right in that they have not played much, together, but whenever MacLean has put them out (usually when they are trailing in the third) they have produced many, many chances, and buried a few. Spezza/Michalek are 2nd on the team in scoring. Granted, the way Regin has come out of the gate he is likely to pass them in a couple of games but, for now, those two are 2nd on the team in scoring. And Alfie is not far behind, but has not been playing with them very much. Looks like his babysitting duties are being reduced, so I expect Alfie will again begin to produce at a close-to PPG pace.

Lines updated. Quite different. See first post.

NEELY wrote:

Big Ev wrote:You know, for the amount of Spezza bashing and saying Karlsson is the one carrying the team, Karlsson has only 3 even-strength points himself. Karlsson also gets his points in garbage time. Not bashing Karlsson myself, just think about that when you get on Spezza.

Karlsson hasn't made a career out of it.

Either way, I was simply correcting the notion that Alfi/Spezza/Michalek has produced. They haven't.

Yes, they have. You have proven nothing other than you simply cannot see when you are wrong. Blind does not equal correct.

tim1_2 wrote:Lines updated. Quite different. See first post.

That makes more sense, but were the original ones from practice?

Edit: And by "more sense" I meant "less sense". I only noted that DaCosta was back at center. Foligno on the top line? Breaking up the Regin-Neil combo? Insanity, but I guess the litmus test is winning, and even though that line was clicking the team was losing.

tim1_2 wrote:

SDH89 wrote:Am I the only one who isn't all that impressed with Condra? To me the guy has shown nothing so far, would prefer if he was on a 2 way.

I think he's looked better the last couple games...and he's been stuck on the 4th line.

He's had his chances outside of the 4th line and hasn't been able to generate much of anything.

Also, the two-way was irrelevant. He would have to clear waivers and they wouldn't risk losing him this early in the season and this early in his contract.

wprager wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:Lines updated. Quite different. See first post.

That makes more sense, but were the original ones from practice?

No. Practice just started. The original lines were from the last game, plus one line that Big Ev assumed would be put together.

wprager wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:Can we take a day off from pooping all over the team?

Yes, we know they stink right now. Nothing has changed in the past couple days. No line has really been productive. Yes, we know that Michalek-Spezza-Alfie hasn't produced much of anything, but they also haven't played very many games together yet. Let's just hold off on the doom and gloom until around 10 tonight, when we have another game to discuss.

You are right in that they have not played much, together, but whenever MacLean has put them out (usually when they are trailing in the third) they have produced many, many chances, and buried a few. Spezza/Michalek are 2nd on the team in scoring. Granted, the way Regin has come out of the gate he is likely to pass them in a couple of games but, for now, those two are 2nd on the team in scoring. And Alfie is not far behind, but has not been playing with them very much. Looks like his babysitting duties are being reduced, so I expect Alfie will again begin to produce at a close-to PPG pace.

While I agree with you, I would like to specify that (to my knowledge) Michalek-Spezza-Alfie did not play together at all (outside of PP duty) prior to the 3rd or late 2nd of the Washington game.

tim1_2 wrote:Lines updated. Quite different. See first post.

I like Zib being insulated by Neil and Smith. I think he'll produce a few shots finally (he has some on board, but they've been from well outside the top of the circle.

tim1_2 wrote:

SDH89 wrote:Am I the only one who isn't all that impressed with Condra? To me the guy has shown nothing so far, would prefer if he was on a 2 way.

I think he's looked better the last couple games...and he's been stuck on the 4th line.

I think he's best suited to play in the bottom six. Not a big fan of seeing him on Zibby's wing, just don't see the upside.

Also not really a fan of Winchester drawing in. After the Konopka signing I was hoping that would spell the end of his tenure here.

Should be an interesting game tonight, no excuse not to hop on the Jets early tonight. They played a great first half last night, but seemingly hit a wall going into the 3rd. Let's hope they continue that trend.

wprager wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:Lines updated. Quite different. See first post.

That makes more sense, but were the original ones from practice?

Edit: And by "more sense" I meant "less sense". I only noted that DaCosta was back at center. Foligno on the top line? Breaking up the Regin-Neil combo? Insanity, but I guess the litmus test is winning, and even though that line was clicking the team was losing.

How would switching Neil for Alfie make that line worse? or less sensible?

I like the big changes. Things can only improve.

Winchester? The hell. I didn't think he was ready.

Big Ev wrote:Winchester? The hell. I didn't think he was ready.

Then apparently you would be wrong.

tim1_2 wrote:

Big Ev wrote:Winchester? The hell. I didn't think he was ready.

Then apparently you would be wrong.

Then apparently you would be a Richard

cash wrote:

wprager wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:Lines updated. Quite different. See first post.

That makes more sense, but were the original ones from practice?

Edit: And by "more sense" I meant "less sense". I only noted that DaCosta was back at center. Foligno on the top line? Breaking up the Regin-Neil combo? Insanity, but I guess the litmus test is winning, and even though that line was clicking the team was losing.

How would switching Neil for Alfie make that line worse? or less sensible?

It's just that Regin/Neil have been clicking. Alfiemight be better used to jump-start another line.

On the other hand, it's not like we're winning, so throw darts at a dart board and pick the lines that way. What could go wrong?