If you're a puck possesion team you have to possess the puck. That means when you got it, you keep it, and if you don't have it, you get it back. </captain obvious mode></p>
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Shaw and Saad in games 5 and 6 were actually pretty good at maintaining posession and hemming St louis into their own end. In game 5 is was invariably Versteeg whould would posess the puck for too long and refuse to pass or get it to the net, and would get his pocket picked. Swap in Smith in game 6 and the 3rd line looked incredibly servicable.</p>
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Thus, I have no qualms about Versteeg sitting 'cause Smith played Versteeg's role better than Versteeg. He helped the puck possession game by not disposessing it, like Versteeg.</p>
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At least Hossa, although snakebit, also contributed to the puck posession cause by reverting to being a defensive stalwart like he usually is and forcing turnovers and refusing to cough up the puck. I do think he and Sharp need to dent the twine more.</p>
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I think Morin should have gotten a shot to play the 2-odd minutes Nordstom played, but C'est la vie. I'm pretty sure Morin will get a shot if Versteeg didn't learn his lesson. I'm sure John and Troy enjoyed having him get their coffee.</p>
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As for Zeus/Bollig, I have no problems putting Zeus on the 4th line and limiting him to PK duties. He does well there. If Bollig is swapped out I wouldn't lose sleep (Especially against the speedier Avs) but he's been invisible, not a liability (like Versteeg). If he's saved for low-risk situations to give the stars a breather fine. If they swap in someone else fine.</p>
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The only thing that worries me into the next round is if a player is playing poorly (a la Versteeg), Joel Q. Tugnutt may not pressbox them soon enough. The time for playing favorites needs to be curbed in leiu of winning.</p>
ccasion-partyangel: 
