GDT/ Hurricanes @ Buffalo Sabres Sunday 1pm THLN, WGR

[Taro T]

3 minutes ago, Big Guava said:

 

The problem is they talk about it a lot but don't actually do it far too often 

At home, after the 1st 2 awful games they started the season with when Benson was out of the lineup, they've gone 8-2-2.  Yes, the 2 regulation L's were awful embarrassing losses, but even with them they've taken 18 of the last 24 points in their own barn.  Which, if they could continue on at that level would enable simply getting to ~0.450 on the road be good enough to get to the dance.

So, they actually do it quite often at home, but not even remotely often enough on the road.

[JohnC]

18 minutes ago, Taro T said:

McLeod, Zucker, and Quinn got a ton of ice time down the stretch.

Ruff also mixed up the D a bit down the stretch pretty much stapling Bryson to the bench protecting the lead.  Had Dahlin and Power together some.

It is going to be interesting to see how Ruff is going to assemble the lines once Norris gets back. I expect the Zucker/McLeod/Quinn line to stay intact because playing with the vets has elevated Quinn's play. 

[Taro T]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

It is going to be interesting to see how Ruff is going to assemble the lines once Norris gets back. I expect the Zucker/McLeod/Quinn line to stay intact because playing with the vets has elevated Quinn's play. 

Personally am expecting Norris to get Benson and Zucker, with McLeod getting Quinn and Greenway.  But who knows.  Ruff is on record as saying Norris with be the #2; if that's the case, he'll get Zucker and then one of Quinn, Benson, or Greenway pretty much in that order (which is a direct contradiction of the previous sentence because am not sure if they'd have Benny as the 4th W or Quinn as the 4th W.  Quinn is better at finishing; Benny has a more all around game) as expectation of who he gets and McLeod would get the other 2 guys.

Doan being able to skate with Thompson and Tuch has opened up some additional possibilities.  And all of this is with Kulich on the shelf.  When he's back, he could move to wing, or if Norris has already broken become the 2/3C depending upon whether Ruff wants McLeod focusing on D or more 2 way/offensive play.

[Trettioåtta]

Only caught the condensed game highlights, but our speed and tenacity on the puck really stood out to me. Winning battles and hounding the puck and then break through their defense to generate odd man rushes. Looked good in the recap.

[JohnC]

3 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Personally am expecting Norris to get Benson and Zucker, with McLeod getting Quinn and Greenway.  But who knows.  Ruff is on record as saying Norris with be the #2; if that's the case, he'll get Zucker and then one of Quinn, Benson, or Greenway pretty much in that order (which is a direct contradiction of the previous sentence because am not sure if they'd have Benny as the 4th W or Quinn as the 4th W.  Quinn is better at finishing; Benny has a more all around game) as expectation of who he gets and McLeod would get the other 2 guys.

Doan being able to skate with Thompson and Tuch has opened up some additional possibilities.  And all of this is with Kulich on the shelf.  When he's back, he could move to wing, or if Norris has already broken become the 2/3C depending upon whether Ruff wants McLeod focusing on D or more 2 way/offensive play.

As you are indicating, with the return of some injured players, there are more pieces to juggle to rework the lines. And as you note, there are a variety of options that make sense. Ruff is not afraid to juggle the lines, including within the game. Now he has more material to work with. My sense is that he wants to keep Tage as a 1C because of his recent play and also the player's preference.