Game Day - Rangers @ Ottawa, 7:30PM, Wednesday, Movember 9, 2011

SpezDispenser wrote:

NEELY wrote:It's not even a question. That said, the PP has looked awful too and Spezza/Michalek keep making mistakes at the blueline. Thats where the money points come for the most part and unlike the Sens PK, it's going the other way.

Again though, I have a man-crush on Greening, but he's not the guy to be top line PP. And Karlsson is another full year away from being absolutely disgusting on the point. Right now, he's just really, really good, but soon his decisions on the blueline to shoot or pass will be even sharper - and that helps everyone. Gonchar has taken a step back as well on the point - still making sharp plays, but not quite how he was in the 9 point streak or whatever he had.

This is where Alfie probably means the most to us right now, not only 5 on 5, but calming the PP down when it gets frantic.

Michallica wrote:Somebody tell me why we're paying Spezza $7M? He was horrawful last night, and has been for the last 4 games. Getting a little sick of this jekyl and hide business from spezza. Anyone notice how Michalek got put on a line with DaCosta? A kid with like 20 games of NHL experience was outplaying spezza. That's sad.

DaCosta created so much space last night. Spezza's not moving his feet at all....just trying to stickhandle around everything.

Michallica wrote:Somebody tell me why we're paying Spezza $7M? He was horrawful last night, and has been for the last 4 games. Getting a little sick of this jekyl and hide business from spezza. Anyone notice how Michalek got put on a line with DaCosta? A kid with like 20 games of NHL experience was outplaying spezza. That's sad.

NEELY wrote:
In fairness, I think Michalek had an equipment problem and Butler moved up for a shift and Michalek down. That said, Da Costa has been playing really well and showing chemistry with basically everyone that is put beside him. Kids an NHL player.

SpezDispenser wrote:
Let me ask people here: if you were coach of another team, what line would you pay the most attention to?

If it was me, I'd basically smother Spezza's line with my best checkers, best D-men, whatever I could throw out at him and Michalek. If someone's gonna beat me on that line, I want it to be the rookie. If Da Costa's line beats me, so be it. That's the chance I'll take. If Z.Smith beats me, so be it again, I'll take that chance, but the gameplan is to NOT let Spezza's line beat me. That's where 90% of the scoring talent is.

Hoags wrote:

Michallica wrote:Somebody tell me why we're paying Spezza $7M? He was horrawful last night, and has been for the last 4 games. Getting a little sick of this jekyl and hide business from spezza. Anyone notice how Michalek got put on a line with DaCosta? A kid with like 20 games of NHL experience was outplaying spezza. That's sad.

I believe that was because Michalek went to the dressing room for a bit to get some equipment repairs so Butler took his place temporarily so when Michalek came back he took Butler's shift.

NEELY wrote:
In fairness, I think Michalek had an equipment problem and Butler moved up for a shift and Michalek down. That said, Da Costa has been playing really well and showing chemistry with basically everyone that is put beside him. Kids an NHL player.

Butler is a turd on that line. He didn't come prepared for camp, MacLean skated the team harder than past coaches (*cough*CC*cough) and now he's struggling to catch up since.

Can't wait for #11 to return and Butler can go back to the Holiday Inn.

Hoags wrote:

Michallica wrote:Somebody tell me why we're paying Spezza $7M? He was horrawful last night, and has been for the last 4 games. Getting a little sick of this jekyl and hide business from spezza. Anyone notice how Michalek got put on a line with DaCosta? A kid with like 20 games of NHL experience was outplaying spezza. That's sad.

I believe that was because Michalek went to the dressing room for a bit to get some equipment repairs so Butler took his place temporarily so when Michalek came back he took Butler's shift.

NEELY wrote:
In fairness, I think Michalek had an equipment problem and Butler moved up for a shift and Michalek down. That said, Da Costa has been playing really well and showing chemistry with basically everyone that is put beside him. Kids an NHL player.

Butler is a turd on that line. He didn't come prepared for camp, MacLean skated the team harder than past coaches (*cough*CC*cough) and now he's struggling to catch up since.

Can't wait for #11 to return and Butler can go back to the Holiday Inn.

NEELY wrote:
Greening is the perfect player to have out their on the PP. He gets into the corners, gets in front of the net, makes life tough. It opens up a lot of space down low but someone actually has to do something with the puck when they are there.

wprager wrote:And that's exactly why in the last couple of days I'd suggested splitting the two up. Force the other coach to make a decision to either split up his best checkers, or pick one line to check. Either the checking is not going to be as efficient, or your second line is not a NCAA rookie centering a 3rd liner and another nearly-rookie.

Hoags wrote:I'd rather we just build a great 2nd line rather than split up Spezza and Michalek.

NEELY wrote:

Hoags wrote:I'd rather we just build a great 2nd line rather than split up Spezza and Michalek.

Pretty much but Alfi coming back gives Ottawa a ton more than Butler ever would. Everyone will be better based just on that.

SeawaySensFan wrote:
Alfie + an improved DaCosta should pay off.

Hoags wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:
Alfie + an improved DaCosta should pay off.

Seems like he is slowly improving every game, should be interesting to watch him by the end of the season.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Hoags wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:
Alfie + an improved DaCosta should pay off.

Seems like he is slowly improving every game, should be interesting to watch him by the end of the season.

Still can't believe Murray compared him to Oates...

SpezDispenser wrote:
Still can't believe Murray compared him to Oates...