<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Count Dante" data-cid="211234" data-time="1381939706">
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I realize that Q has coached just over about 1000 NHL games more than me, but I never understood the CONSTANT line changes.</p>
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Putting into terms I can relate to, a computer geek system... If i know something is wrong and I am not getting the results I want, I dont go in and start making a ton of config changes... I look at one facet at a time. For example, i think the 1st line with JT/Kane/Bick is good. Why fix it? The 3rd and 4th lines were good. The second was a mess but Hoss was coming back and the anchor for that line is in question. Ok, so focus on that.</p>
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I get putting in some 6/7 dmen for games is important and a couple there are in question. But with the way, at least yesterday, that Q was changing, he would have no idea if it was his changes that were correct or it was random luck. Just because you put 3 guys together that arent usually and they score doesnt mean that it is efficient. </p>
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But again, I have coached exactly zero NHL games vs hundreds of wins and what, 3 Cups? So he must know something we dont, but damned if it makes any sense to me. </p>
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My question with it is that I know that a lot of it has to do with trying to find a good combination that is clicking on offense... but does it also factor into the opposing teams strategy and lines. Not necessarily who they put on what line, but if we have a line of Kane Toews and Bickel as the top line, and they want to match it with their 3rd line all night, and are effective, and then in the third period Toews is on top line with sharp and hoss, Kane with Handzus and Saad, and Bick down on the third with Shaw and Nordstrom... where does the third line play? Does the opposing coach try to match up to a particular player? Does it take him a few shifts to figure out what line it matches up best with? Does he change his lines to match? The line changing drives me nuts, but I think with the personnel that we have being so good and interchangable it has to drive an opposing coach nuts and really shuffle flow of the other team? Just my opinion, thoughts?</p>