He also can PK right? Robertson has looked a little lost some shifts but he also feels like he's due for a goal. Tough call. Definitely leave Reaves out.
IMO Robertson looked just as good as Gregor did. The lock on the fourth line is Kampf and Dewar, and I mean no disrespect to Gregor because I do think he played well last night, but Robertson is just a more skilled guy, more dangerous chances
Robertson probably comes out if Matthews and McMann are back, though, much as I feel for Robertson, but it'll be between him and Holmberg and I feel like they'll choose Holmberg
I think Matthews has been saying he can play, it’s the doctors that have said no. And thankfully players don’t get to make their own decisions, for their own good.
If it were 100% his call he probably would have never sat out.
Agreed. To be honest if Matthews is at 65-70% that sounds like he wouldn’t be healthy enough to play. I’d rather try to finish things up in Boston and have him come back in round 2 than risk him getting hurt further in game 7
I’m sure Matthews will have a bit of a target on him as well – it isn’t nice but these are the playoffs, if an opponent’s star player has a weakness you need to exploit it
If Matthews can still make defensive plays, he can defer to Robertson to just keep firing shots at Swayman. Even if it doesn't go in, we get an O-Zone faceoff. That's the purpose of a 3rd line.
Would probably see them out there more when TOR has an offensive zone faceoff. Force Boston to deploy their top D pair against them and get the first and second lines a little more space.
This would be Sheldon's wet dream, to be able to run whatever line he wants without figuratively pulling his hair.
Speaking of hair, if there is 1 thing to compliment about Keefe it's his impeccable hairline.
Switch it up to have Robertson with Tavares and Nylander and Matthews with Knies and Holmberg. It’s a bit too heavy sided for Left shots, but I feel Knies has a better playmaking ability, and Tavares is best in front of the net. Get Holmberg and Nylander drilling shots, and have Tavares clean them up, while Knies and Robertson set up Matthews for snipes.
The Knies-Nylander connection is too good for me to break up.
I thought about switching Tavares and Matthews so that Tavares is playing 3rd, but quickly scrapped that because A) the Knies-Tavares connection is also too good, and B) the point was to limit Matthews minutes until he's 100%.
If we are putting Matthews in the lineup not at 100%, this is kind of it for me. Maybe switch Matthews and Holmberg for center duties, but I don't know how good Matthews is on wing.
To me it depends on what 30-35 percent is missing.
Is it his skating, shooting, puck handling, or physicality that's taking a hit there?
If it's his shot, he can still contribute defensively.
If it's his speed / skating that sounds like a huge chance to get worse and would rather he sits.
If it's a physicality issue then I worry about him getting run.
You could really fuck up the line matching and give him PP time and 4th line winger with Kampf and Dewar lol.
Put him in on the 3rd line and let the top 2 cook like they have been. Gregor can sit. He would still in theory help the powerplay which, as well all know, needs all the help it can get.
Can't make the decision on that info alone. I'd take a 70% Matthews in the lineup in a heartbeat, but more important than where he's at for readiness is how likely playing through it will make things worse. If it's true there's an injury in addition to illness then it depends a lot on what that injury is.
That said, there's a degree to which you would likely risk further injury to get through game 7 even if it means he is out for a few more games in the following series.
Very tough decision with multiple factors.
Let’s plug him in where Robertson is and sit Robertson. He’s an upgrade on everything there and would give Boston hard times planning a matchup. He can also rip it on the PP
Bench Robertson and give Matthews 3rd line minutes + PP1. Matthews is a far better player and benching Robertson tends to light a fire under him whenever he eventually returns to the lineup
Hell yes 100% i would. Powerplays would benefit, he can score better then anyone even at 70%. Top 5 player in the world and the best on his team. Remember when stammer was hurt that first lightning cup, he came out for a shift on the pp and scores. Then sits on the bench. He wasn't miasing shit. And Matthews is alot healthier then Stamkos was so yes he should play but if hes not 100% just watch his minutes and slot him with Robertson and holmberg. But if hes 100% then he should play with bertuzzi and Domi because he is better then marner and has.done more for this team against Boston. And in general.
I take 70% Matthews over 100% Gregor. Get him on line 3 with Robertson and Holmberg.
After the game Gregor just played, I think I take Robertson out personally
Yeah Gregor was solid last night. Threw down some big hits too.
That one early on in the corner was hard. You feel that crunch.
Gregor had a good game as a sub-in for Reaves, but I think Robertson was more noticeable.
Agreed. Robertson just can’t seem to make any impact. Gregor was flying out there. Loved his game
He also can PK right? Robertson has looked a little lost some shifts but he also feels like he's due for a goal. Tough call. Definitely leave Reaves out.
Fair enough, I just feel like robertson has 1 5 star opportunity a game. At some point it's gotta go through
IMO Robertson looked just as good as Gregor did. The lock on the fourth line is Kampf and Dewar, and I mean no disrespect to Gregor because I do think he played well last night, but Robertson is just a more skilled guy, more dangerous chances Robertson probably comes out if Matthews and McMann are back, though, much as I feel for Robertson, but it'll be between him and Holmberg and I feel like they'll choose Holmberg
Holmberg has been great!
Holmberg has been a legitimate difference maker. Wouldn’t even be a question.
This.
I think Matthews has been saying he can play, it’s the doctors that have said no. And thankfully players don’t get to make their own decisions, for their own good. If it were 100% his call he probably would have never sat out.
Agreed. To be honest if Matthews is at 65-70% that sounds like he wouldn’t be healthy enough to play. I’d rather try to finish things up in Boston and have him come back in round 2 than risk him getting hurt further in game 7 I’m sure Matthews will have a bit of a target on him as well – it isn’t nice but these are the playoffs, if an opponent’s star player has a weakness you need to exploit it
This was my shower thought last night. Bertuzzi-Domi-Marner Knies-Tavares-Nylander Holmberg-Matthews-Robertson Dewar-Kampf-Jarnkrok
This is the way. Matthews on the third line will force Boston to make some tough choices with defensive assignments.
If Matthews can still make defensive plays, he can defer to Robertson to just keep firing shots at Swayman. Even if it doesn't go in, we get an O-Zone faceoff. That's the purpose of a 3rd line.
Would probably see them out there more when TOR has an offensive zone faceoff. Force Boston to deploy their top D pair against them and get the first and second lines a little more space.
This would be Sheldon's wet dream, to be able to run whatever line he wants without figuratively pulling his hair. Speaking of hair, if there is 1 thing to compliment about Keefe it's his impeccable hairline.
I'd maybe consider putting Matthews on the wing if he's still nursing an injury
Might also work.
Switch it up to have Robertson with Tavares and Nylander and Matthews with Knies and Holmberg. It’s a bit too heavy sided for Left shots, but I feel Knies has a better playmaking ability, and Tavares is best in front of the net. Get Holmberg and Nylander drilling shots, and have Tavares clean them up, while Knies and Robertson set up Matthews for snipes.
The Knies-Nylander connection is too good for me to break up. I thought about switching Tavares and Matthews so that Tavares is playing 3rd, but quickly scrapped that because A) the Knies-Tavares connection is also too good, and B) the point was to limit Matthews minutes until he's 100%. If we are putting Matthews in the lineup not at 100%, this is kind of it for me. Maybe switch Matthews and Holmberg for center duties, but I don't know how good Matthews is on wing.
I want Gregor over Robertson
Robertson was way more noticable than Gregor last night. In a good way.
To me it depends on what 30-35 percent is missing. Is it his skating, shooting, puck handling, or physicality that's taking a hit there? If it's his shot, he can still contribute defensively. If it's his speed / skating that sounds like a huge chance to get worse and would rather he sits. If it's a physicality issue then I worry about him getting run. You could really fuck up the line matching and give him PP time and 4th line winger with Kampf and Dewar lol.
Yes. 3rd line mins plus PP.
Milk the papi, taste the papi.. wait wha
Put him in on the 3rd line and let the top 2 cook like they have been. Gregor can sit. He would still in theory help the powerplay which, as well all know, needs all the help it can get.
Powerplay only
Sit him until the 2nd intermission and decide then. I'd have him dressed and ready though
Yes. If he says I'm good to go, you put him in the lineup
Bertuzzi - Domi - Marner Knies - Matthews/Tavares - Nylander McMann - Matthews/Tavares - Jarnkrok Dewar - Kampf - Holmberg Give Matthews sheltered o-zone minutes and let JT play everywhere else.
Did I miss something? McMann is back?
A man can dream
Can't make the decision on that info alone. I'd take a 70% Matthews in the lineup in a heartbeat, but more important than where he's at for readiness is how likely playing through it will make things worse. If it's true there's an injury in addition to illness then it depends a lot on what that injury is. That said, there's a degree to which you would likely risk further injury to get through game 7 even if it means he is out for a few more games in the following series. Very tough decision with multiple factors.
Get him healthy. Defense is 100%. Nothing else serves you well
Let’s plug him in where Robertson is and sit Robertson. He’s an upgrade on everything there and would give Boston hard times planning a matchup. He can also rip it on the PP
Bench Robertson and give Matthews 3rd line minutes + PP1. Matthews is a far better player and benching Robertson tends to light a fire under him whenever he eventually returns to the lineup
Sit him, it’s better to have a full roster than for him to leave part way through the game and you need to play a man down.
Hell yes 100% i would. Powerplays would benefit, he can score better then anyone even at 70%. Top 5 player in the world and the best on his team. Remember when stammer was hurt that first lightning cup, he came out for a shift on the pp and scores. Then sits on the bench. He wasn't miasing shit. And Matthews is alot healthier then Stamkos was so yes he should play but if hes not 100% just watch his minutes and slot him with Robertson and holmberg. But if hes 100% then he should play with bertuzzi and Domi because he is better then marner and has.done more for this team against Boston. And in general.
Scratch him. The lineup is playing better without him right now. Don’t shake up what’s working in a game 7 situation.
I only put him in if it's the kind of injury you cant make worse. If he's just gotta push through some pain, 70% Matthew's is 100% better than Gregor.
Just replace Gregor. No other lineup changes
No.
Save him for round 2