Damn, the injuries suck. This team at full strength is 100% a playoff team.

i like these lines a lot but i think i'd do some minor changes

Tatar - Hischier - Bratt
Zacha - Sharangovich - Johnsson
Mercer - Kuokkanen - Studenic
Vesey - Mcleod - Geertsen

hope this helps!

I can't for the life of me understand why Geertsen was dressed against the Caps. There's no need whatsoever in playing him over Studenic, Thompson or Boqvist. I also didn't like that White was swapped out for Jaros either. Not saying they'd won it with these changes but I certainly think they'd play better than what we saw last night.
I think you're right on Sharangovich, I also feel like Kuokkanen hasn't found his game yet.
Even though I'd be really hyped for it, I still think it's too early for Holtz. Some more time with Utica would do him good and look to call him up when Devils are in a stronger position roster-wise.
I haven't seen anything on Smith being ready for Saturday, but if he is I'd be ecstatic.

Suggestion for Buffalo:
Zacha - Hischier - Bratt
Johnsson - Mercer - Tatar
Kuokkanen - Sharangovich - Vesey
Gauthier - McLeod - Studenic

Graves - Hamilton
White (Smith) - Severson
Siegenthaler - Subban

On forwards, I like the idea of Holtz playing with Sharangovich, but I do think they would need a possession type on that line as both Yegor and Alex are both more finisher types. And Kuokkanen is complimentary, puck-retriever, 3rd piece on that line. Also, maybe if its a short-term fix, its not an issue, but I don't want to see Holtz get called up for 11 minutes a night on a 3rd line.

Lastly, hard to comment on last nights game and not bring up (a) the goaltending was atrocious. Even for AHL, it was bad. Wedgewood was so out of position on the 2nd and 4th goals. Gotta wonder if Daws could have been better. and (b) I don't remember Severson playing LD before, but he has gotta get back to RD. Looked out of place playing off-hand.



Mercer should definitely stick at center, he seems like he is a fit for both face-offs and playing responsibly defensively at the position.



Agree on Geertsen. And we all know why he was there. To balance out the physicality of the caps. But would also say Vesey's play in o-zone also showed us how valuable Wood is to this team. Hoefully he is back soon.



I like the first two lines, but that Kuok/Shara line is going to struggle without a playmaker, puck-carrier type. They are not dump-and-chase, grind the boards down low type players. Sort of caught in between.

Here is how I would line up against Buffalo on Saturday:

Forward option A
Holtz* -- Hischier -- Zacha
Johnsson -- Mercer -- Tatar
Kuokkanen -- Sharangovich -- Bratt
Vesey -- McLeod -- Studenic

Forward option B
Kuokkanen -- Hischier -- Zacha
Johnsson -- Mercer -- Tatar
Bratt -- Sharangovich -- Thompson*
Vesey -- McLeod -- Studenic

Blueline
Graves -- Hamilton
Smith** -- Severson
Siegenthaler -- Subban

Goaltending
Daws***
Wedgewood

Bench: [Gauthier or Geertsen****], Jaros, White

* If Holtz call-up is not an option, move Kuokkanen up to 1LW and add Tyce Thompson to that 3rd line.
** If Smith is not ready, leave White in line-up for one more night.
*** Daws cannot be worse than Wedgewood.
**** I think with Hughes out, I should send down either Gauthier or Geertsen and call-up an offensive forward (Holtz or Thompson)

I'm just a sucker for the chemistry Hischier's and Mercer's lines are developing, I'd be hesitant to break them up atm.

You could feasibly see a scenario where Mcleod centers Kuokk and Shara, might address your point on my initial suggestion. That combination would have the speed to attack of the rush effectively and not be too outmatched in deep puck battles nor making possession into that big of an issue. Though I'm no fan of moving McLeod up to 3C, the current situation may call for giving that a go.

This would allow for Vesey staying on the 4th line with Gauthier and preferably Studenic or Thompson