Daniel Carr’s demotion to the AHL, Reid Duke’s inability to get into the lineup, the Pacioretty healthy scratch or injured situation, Ryan Reaves’ mysterious absence from the game at MSG, and the major line shuffle that went with it. Plus, the recent decision by Gallant to stop giving out lineup and injury information. All of this can be tracked down to one guy, Oscar Lindberg.
On December 4th Oscar Lindberg was forced into the Golden Knights lineup when Max Pacioretty had to take a game off because he was “not feeling well.” Lindberg was slotted into the top six to play with Alex Tuch and Cody Eakin. In that game, Lindberg recorded his first two points of the season, he was on the ice for 13 scoring chances while allowing just one (according to NaturalStatTrick.com), and by all accounts played a great game.
He played real good. I was real happy for him. He got a chance to play tonight and like I said Pacioretty didn’t play tonight but Oscar stepped in there and did a great job and had a good game and that’s what we want from him so I’m happy for him. -Gerard Gallant in 12/4 postgame press conference
The following morning, Daniel Carr was optioned to the AHL and Reid Duke was recalled. The reason for this move was because with Pacioretty ready to come back into the lineup, either Lindberg, Carr, or someone else had to come out. Gallant chose Carr, which caused McPhee to send him back to the minors to stop the clock on his waiver status.
This is the first of many decisions that have been made because of Lindberg’s stellar play.
On December 6th, Lindberg played well once again, especially when looking at the advanced stats. He did not record a point but scored a goal that was eventually wiped off the board due to a whacky goalie interference review.
Yet again, Lindberg deserved to stay in the lineup. This continued for the next four games, in which Lindberg posted three points. All the while, Reid Duke remained on the Golden Knights roster waiting for his chance to make his NHL debut. That chance never came, as Duke was eventually optioned back to the AHL to make room for Paul Stastny to come off IR.
That’s where things started to get really interesting. With Stastny’s return, Gallant’s decision this time was to pull Lindberg, Nosek, Carpenter, or… Max Pacioretty.
We’ll never know because the Pacioretty scratch/injured saga still leaves questions, but there’s a distinct possibility that Gallant chose Lindberg over Pacioretty based on recent play. Over the five games since Lindberg had re-entered the lineup, he had recorded five points, scored a goal, and had a +1 rating in just over 11 minutes per game. Meanwhile, his past five games, Pacioretty did not score, tallied three assists and a -2 rating, and recorded just one fewer shot (Max 9, Oscar 8) than Lindberg despite playing almost 7 more minutes per game (Max 17:57, Oscar 11:20).
Yes, Pacioretty had been hot prior to this little stretch, and of course the “not feeling well” injury that kept him out of the Capitals game could have come into play, but to think it’s preposterous to believe Lindberg had outperformed Pacioretty and thus deserved a spot in the lineup over him is, well, preposterous.
But either way, whether Max was kept out due to injury or coaches decision, Lindberg played again, and played well again, pushing his point streak to four consecutive games.
Which brings us to yesterday morning. With Pacioretty back in the lineup, Gallant now had to find someone else to remove and this time he chose Ryan Reaves.
Due to the madness that ensued two days prior, Gallant declared that he will no longer comment on injuries and lineups, and so, the question as to why Reaves was not in the lineup on Sunday morning was never answered. Nonetheless, actions speak louder than words, and the actions of the coach showed Lindberg in and Reaves out.
And at this point, what should be to the surprise of none, Lindberg once again played a solid game.
Which brings us to tonight, in Columbus, where the Golden Knights play their fourth and final game of this road trip, a back-to-back against a good opponent.
Will Oscar Lindberg remain in the lineup? Does Reaves get back in? If he does, who’s the next victim of the Lindberg lineup demolition campaign?
We’ll have to wait and see when the Golden Knights take the ice for warm-ups (because there was not a morning skate today), but if I were a gambling man, I’d say Oscar Lindberg will be out there… everyone else, who knows.
Brian
Reaves and Engelland looking on from upstairs worked pretty good yesterday. Why change it up?
First presser back here should be HIGHLY entertaining. Get good sound PLUS video……. !!
Slr82
I think we are very fortunate to have and be in this situation. Guys need rest and being able to take a Knight off and rest, yet the team can plug someone else in is invaluable, heading into the 2nd half if the season. Now it’s too bad we don’t have that confidence in getting Fluery some rest, that could bite us in time.
Brian
Real friendly schedule coming up after tonight through end of January. 11 of 16 at home with the last 8 days of January off. Plenty of spots for Subban to get some decent action and tend to the Flower.
Bob Nokley
We have known since last year Reeves would not play every game. I would panic if he is out on a long busy road trip. The fourth line has produced it’s time to get the January & February lines in place. Those two months are the most important for the run into playoffs. (i.e. trade deadline etc) Agreeing the Max Flu thing is of interest I would not read much into that. I think 24 is getting forced for a number of reasons, (contract, cost to team etc.) I see it working itself out. Besides the stupid shit in front of the net continues with him.
#5 Great guy but time cycle out retire stay with the Knights org etc.
In recap, the 4th line can get you there but winning all the way with it is a steep climb. Having slow players and doing dumb things in front of the net is fixable. Nothing to read into and BTW #24 has played a lot not so sure why you’re having trouble finding a picture from this season or was that meant to be sarcastic?
Finally, the most glaring potential bad thing I see is goaltending. That is one injury away from being unfixable in time now that we are down the road this far. I hope not but its scary.