Why's Nylander on the 4th line? He's been one of their best players since the all-star break...

Tonight’s actual lineup

Marleau-Matthews-Kapanen
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Brown-Kadri-Nylander
Lindholm-Gauthier-Johnsson

Muzzin-Reilly
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Dermott-Hainsey

Andersen



I think Vegas will play a hungry game tonight after losing to the Yotes so this might all go into the blender...

Really? Johsson is on the 4th again??

I love how Babcock coaches, I really do. But his stubbornness to keep Gardiner paired with Zaitsev is frustrating. Whenever Zaitsev is paired with Dermott or anyone else for that matter, I see more of his game play from his rookie season. It's almost as though he hold back with Gardiner on the ice.

Also confused as to Johansson on the 4th again. He's been playing extremely well as of late, I would have thought he'd have been pushed up to keep it going.

"Leaders who don't act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people - they manipulate them. "

- paulo freire

Be a gud pro, Mike..

Yup... these were the lines from their skate anyway. Not sure why he would be in the doghouse, maybe Babs just likes what he brings to the fourth line. Gets him sone good matchups against other fourth lines.

That's the only reasoning I can see. His speed and skill should be enough to pot some goals against other 4th lines. Except Gauthier isn't the right support cast for him (I wish he would learn to use his body more)

Hard to say. I mean, its not like Johnsson hurts the 4th line.. but he certainly helps being higher up the line up. I dunno, I'm starting to lose the plot here a bit with how the roster is being set. Are we trying to ice the best combination for success? Are we trying to limit some guys contract extensions (little to no pp time for kappy, Johnsson on the 4th)? Are we playing whack a mole with our d pairings? Are we all illiterate when it comes to understanding Babs speak?

I dunno. But i do hope there really is a method to this madness, because like i stated before, i like babs, as a coach and a what he involves himself with as a person outside of hockey.. but, man! He better get them past the first round this year...

He also bumps him up the line up for some extra time and he gets 2nd PP. It’s not all bad.

It’s a good roster and there really aren’t many “bad” ways to put it together. I think nylander should be with Matthews. Think it is past due...

I would think by now he would have a set line up to continue to build or maintain Chemistry, and only blend things up halfway through a game when it calls for it. I think that is to some extent the issue when passes are just off, or when breaking out their not fully in sync.


I agree. It just usually takes half the game to get him there. Once Ennis returns it will be I retesting to see who sits out (I'm thinking Gauthier)

Ennis is back, healthy scratch tonight. Maybe hairier sits when Ennis is back to full speed but the Goat has been reliable.

I agree completely. I would think things should be relatively set by now with some tweaks heading down the stretch.. instead here we are.. which reminds me of last year when it took forever to move past martin and komarov.. but to their credit, they're both playing important roles under Trotz this year, and the islanders are right there with us , despite losing JT

K. Ive been channeling my inner bcarlo here, and recognize I should take a break.. time to chill