Who do you put on top line?
ok so I was actually talking about this with @andrebearakovsky earlier today before the game because I was already worried about DSP on the top line. and before I say anything else, I just want to remind everyone that I love DSP and I would die™ for him. but clearly top line DSP didn’t work out tonight. he’s a great player, but he’s a great bottom-six player. his style of play just...isn’t suited for the play you typically expect from top line players.
my vote would either be Vrana or Stephenson. I love the idea of Vrana on the top line because he creates chances and he and Kuzy work well together, but I’m aware that an Ovi-Kuzy-Vrana line has some defensive problems. that’s why I also like the idea of throwing Chandler up there. he makes great plays but his defensive play is also pretty strong. plus I really liked Vrana on the Conno-Eller line tonight, I thought he rounds them out nicely. and of course, moving Chandler means you have to put someone else on that second line, and after tonight I know who I’d want up there. SO, this is ideally what I’d like, given our current situation:
Ovechkin - Kuznetsov - StephensonGersich - Backstrom - OshieConnolly - Eller - VranaDSP - Beagle - Chiasson
I’m aware that this isn’t perfect, and we might not even see Gersich next game, but there’s my two cents! regardless, something needs to change before Saturday’s game.