New Lines
After roughly ten games of keeping the top line of Vinny Prospal-Brandon Dubinsky-Marian Gaborik together, and occasionally shuffling the other three lines, coach John Tortorella has completely revamped the Rangers lines.
As for the forward lines:
Enver Lisin-Vinny Prospal (remaining at center)-Marian Gaborik
Sean Avery-Chris Drury-Ales Kotalik
Christopher Higgins-Brandon Dubinsky-Ryan Callahan
Donald Brashear/Brian Boyle-Artem Anisimov-Aaron Voros.
As for the defense:
Michael Del Zotto remained with Michal Rozsival. Otherwise, Staal skated with Matt Gilroy while Wade Redden was paired with Girardi.
Changing lines is a part of hockey, happen quite often, and shouldn’t really be analyzed too much. Look on the bright side, if it were Tom Renney, this would have been the 10th time we would have seen a lineup change. The only thing I don’t like is Anisimov on the fourth line. But then again, where are you going to put him if you put Prospal at center?
By Jeremy, October 23, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
I don’t mind the lines. I mean, I still like the Prospal-Dubi-Garborik line, but then again, I also like the higgins-dubi-cally line.
By tomb, October 23, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
Lisin on the first line? OK maybe.
Dubinsky down with Callahan and Higgins might be to get some more offense out of those two.
Anisimov needs to learn to be more physical and skate with more of an edge, he certainly has the size. Maybe some time on the fourth line won’t hurt him (as long as it is temporary).
We like to talk about line combinations all the time. I don’t think it makes that much of a difference this early in the season. Now is the time to tinker. I’m sure Dubi still gets 20 minutes of ice a night.
By Dave, October 23, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
That line intrigues me the most because it will probably be the hardest working line on the team.
Dave Reply:
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Meant to be a reply to Jeremy’s post.
By Kathy, October 23, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
What’s the point of Anisimov on the fourth line? so he can play even less minutes then he is now? Drury has 1 more point and 3 times the ice time every night but he’s 2nd line every game…
Dave Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am
He’s also making $7 million a year and has more established history.
These things matter.
Kathy Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Money talks-you’re right on that but I don’t care what Drury did with other teams…all I’ve seen here with the Rangers is an established history of mediocrity . Torts is giving Lisin alot of opportunities…which is a good thing but i sense he isn’t that high on Anisimov..fair to say or not?
By Scott, October 24, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Yes, Dubi and Cally work very hard and they are assets to the team…but, I’ve seen Cally with the puck on his stick directly in front of the goalie at least 7 times and he never puts it in. Dubi’s passes and decisions do not represent a 1st line center. So I am happy about the line changes. Torts keeps impressing me.