Quote:
Originally Posted by Burning Down
He'll be on his own  I don't know. Maybe the lineups should be shuffled. The team is always going to centre around Crosby though. |
If he's healthy, he's with Kunitz and Crosby on the right wing for sure. He's a guy that would be a good fit on either wing as opposed to center, which is completely locked up with Crosby, Getzlaf, Toews and Bergeron. Tavares is a guy that will have to move to wing as well.
Thinking about it a bit more and knowing which chemistry they'll try to push with certain players, I'd bet on this being the first lineup they'll try:
Forwards
Kunitz-Crosby-Stamkos
Tavares-Getzlaf-Perry
Sharp-Toews-Nash
Marleau-Bergeron-Carter
13th forward: Duchene
14th forward (scratched): Benn
Unfortunately, Kunitz-Crosby is a given, at least to start. Stamkos seems like a no-brainer there as well.
Getzlaf-Perry is another given. Tavares has played left wing in the World Championships before, and with so many good centers,I'm guessing he'll be asked to do the same. As a bigger body who can factor in in the Anaheim duos cycle game, he'd be a good fit here. Benn is another option for this spot.
I thought Sharp would be an extra forward at first, but he's been lights out and has earned a spot in the top 12. He's been playing with Toews recently, and those two should most likely play together. Nash and Toews have some chemistry from last Olympics as well. Both Sharp and Nash are capable of playing either wing, just depends on whether Babcock wants them on their strongside or not.
The 4th line wouldn't have any chemistry, but with Bergeron centering it, it will be the checking line. Carter and Marleau are both very versatile players that have good defensive games, so it should be a good fit. Benn is an option in Marleau's spot as well, as he is pretty good defensively too.
Duchene might be the 14th forward, but I think Canada will want him available for his both his versatility and gamebreaking speed/ability.
I'd assume one of Marleau/Benn will be scratched, but I'd bet on it being Benn simply because Marleau is better defensively and would be one of their best PKers.
Defense
Keith-Doughty
Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo
Hamhuis-Weber
7th defenseman: Subban
8th defenseman (scratched): Vlasic
All of these pairs have chemistry. Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo play together now, Keith and Doughty played together last Olympics and Hamhuis and Weber played on the same team in Nashville (not as partners as Weber was with Suter, but they are familiar with each other). Subban is the PP specialist, and guy they need when they need a spark, much like Duchene. I'd prefer Vlasic in over Hamhuis, but I think they'll try Hamhuis to start.
Goalies
Price
Luongo
Third goalie (scratched): Smith
No real explanation needed. This is pretty much locked up, I think.