Trotz is gonna keep the same lineup except for maybe Varly in the net, lets all be honest he loves Leo.

I think Leo deserves to be in the lineup, but playing him on the 1st line essentially takes barzal out of the game - it’s like playing down a man

Personally, I thought Komarov looked good yesterday. Maybe not on Barzals line, but he made some key defensive plays at the right time and he was hustling out there.

Yeah I don’t think komarov should come out of the lineup, he just shouldn’t be on the 1st line. The pens left komarov alone and double teamed barzal, not allowing him to enter the zone or generate any quality scoring chances. Barzal is pretty much being set up to fail right now

I agree with that, but I loved the way he was finishing checks on that line, Barzal and Eberle weren't, he was a beast at times. To be honest did Barzal look hurt to you? He wasn't skating as well he usually does. Where was his speed? It looked at times like he was holding back.

Sure komarov was throwing his weight around, but that’s not an indicator of playing well. A lot of players who lead their team in hits have the worst impact overall.

Barzal doesn’t look hurt - the pens are one of the best defensive teams in the league and they had a simple but effective game plan to shutdown barzal - leave komarov alone (because he’s not a threat with the puck) and double team barzal. As long as komarov is with barzal, don’t expect the line to produce much offensively. It can work against a slower team, but not against the pens. Sullivan is arguably the best coach in the NHL and he knows that komarov doesn’t skate well or have an NHL caliber shot , so why would he waste his time putting a man on komarov when he can double team one of the most dynamic centers in the league? Barzal is pretty much playing in a shorthanded situation.

I don't know man, I've seen Barzal skate better than he was last night. He had no legs. It had nothing to do with the Pittsburgh defense, but maybe it was just me.

I wouldn't say Pittsburgh is one of the best defensive teams in the league, middle of the road in my opinion. I loved how the guy with Brendan and AJ was praising the Pittsburgh PK...lol..I was thinking to myself uh! no dude, thats the Islanders PP we've been watching for most of the season. But, anyways, I think they'd double team Barzal no matter who was on his wing, at least if they were smart they would.

It does seem like barzal is frustrated - i don’t blame him, he has to play in the most restrictive system in the NHL where he’s not allowed to take risks and then he’s given Leo komarov to work with. Dont get me wrong, I think komarov has been decent in a bottom 6 role this season but I can’t think of another star center that has been put in a worse situation. Usually when teams suffer injuries, the coach gives his top line center two wingers that can keep up with him and finish their chances.

Pittsburgh’s team defense is top 10 in the league - it’s their forwards that put them over the top. Aston Reese, Crosby, tanev, blueger, McCann are all elite defensively.

They wouldn’t double team barzal if he had a lw with some offensive ability - That would just lead to goals off the rush for the isles.

Regarding the powerplay, it really is insane that Trotz watched Barzal set up wahlstrom against Boston and decided to split them up again. The powerplay personnel on each unit couldn’t be worse. Bailey has all the time and space and just plays catch with Leddy - he should off the powerplay IMO. It’s also funny that palmieri has been a top 5 powerplay specialist over the last 5 years scoring from the ovi spot and we have him in the f*cking slot. Did trotz/hiller watch any PP tape on palmieri? The decision making is embarassing at this point.

Usually pretty against messing with the lineup after a win in the playoffs, but I’m down for both moves. The difference between Leo and MDC is nonexistent and the 4th line needs a shakeup (as they have for most of the year). They had very little impact on the game yesterday imo.

Now if only we could do something about Leddy....

Yeah I would love to put palmieri or beau with barzal but you can’t touch lines 2 or 3 right now. The way i see it is dal colle has better puck skills than komarov and a much better shot - I think Dal Colle can take advantage of the space barzal creates a lot better than komarov can.

What’s your take on why trotz loves Leddy? I feel like he’s the type of defenseman trotz would hate- soft, bad defensively, always turns the puck over. Tbh I’d put hickey in for Leddy lol

Dude I have no idea lol. Probably a hell of a guy in the locker room, having been there for awhile, but Toews was too I imagine....

If I had to guess, he probably sees Leddy has a guy that brings something they don't have much of (speed, transitioning, etc.). But then you watch Leddy and more often than not, he's hurting us more than he's helping us, so I don't get it either.

It has to be something off ice that trotz must love lol. He gets such a long leash it’s insane - no doubt he’s fast but he has low hockey IQ so like you said he’s hurting us more than helping - trotz seems to value character over ability sometimes.

I wish he’d have the same energy with Noah Dobson and let him take risks instead of benching him after he makes a mistake.