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When Backstrom Returns
waynerivers:
I wouldn't dress Backstrom unless he's 100% and no way he replaces Eller at this point. You don't fool with this kind of momentum which only comes around once in a long while. At this point, I'm not even sure that Backstrom makes us a better team. That's how much everyone is contributing. Plus, Backstrom, good as he is, has never been known to be a high intensity type player which is the mantra throughout the lineup right now. You tinker with something like this at your peril.
Beaglefan2:
While I have always liked Backstrom and consider him to have a big place in the Caps history, he has always been a selfless facilitator. He is not an aggressive leader and I have not been very impressed with him in the playoffs. I can vividly remember watching him last year during a playoff game against Pittsburgh when he was casually skating back on defense and trailing the play. It was an odd-man rush and he just didn't put the effort in that I expected. Pittsburgh scored and that play, along with others, changed my opinion of Backstrom.
I'm not saying he is the reason we never succeeded in the playoffs, and I still want him in the lineup, but I don't consider him to be critical to winning in the playoffs.
Maacoshark:
--- Quote from: 4 Caps on Monday May 14, 2018, 11:25:37 AM Eastern ---When Backstrom returns I would like to see him on a line with Stephenson and Burakovsky. I agree that Eller should stay on a line with Vrana and Oshie, that line has looked very good and no reason to break it up. Big guestion is when is Backstrom returning. No need to rush him, wait until he is 100%. From the sound of it though it does sound like he is close and I would not be surprised to see him in the lineup tomorrow night.
--- End quote ---
I'd rather see Burakovsky a scratch. He is easily our weakest player right now.
BlackIce:
--- Quote from: Maacoshark on Monday May 14, 2018, 08:02:58 PM Eastern --- I'd rather see Burakovsky a scratch. He is easily our weakest player right now.
--- End quote ---
Burakovsky has just gotten back into the lineup the last couple of games. IF the organization is committed to having him in the lineup, then you can't scuttle him after such a short time; he has to be given a chance to work himself back into true playoff condition. I say IF, because I could conceivably see him traded after the playoffs in order to free up more cap room to resign Carlson, especially since Stephenson has shown so well recently, and Vrana is now obviously AT LEAST Bura's equal on the depth chart.
I suspect Backstrom is injured more seriously than public statements are acknowledging. I don't think we will see him back in the lineup unless/until the Caps are trailing in a series; or maybe if this one goes to game 7 and a couple of others in the playing rotation are beginning to stumble.
Maacoshark:
--- Quote from: BlackIce on Monday May 14, 2018, 08:21:16 PM Eastern ---
Burakovsky has just gotten back into the lineup the last couple of games. IF the organization is committed to having him in the lineup, then you can't scuttle him after such a short time; he has to be given a chance to work himself back into true playoff condition. I say IF, because I could conceivably see him traded after the playoffs in order to free up more cap room to resign Carlson, especially since Stephenson has shown so well recently, and Vrana is now obviously AT LEAST Bura's equal on the depth chart.
I suspect Backstrom is injured more seriously than public statements are acknowledging. I don't think we will see him back in the lineup unless/until the Caps are trailing in a series; or maybe if this one goes to game 7 and a couple of others in the playing rotation are beginning to stumble.
--- End quote ---
Its the ECF. Can't wait for a player to get into playoff condition.
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