A line by any other name, in this case the Johan Larsson line otherwise known as the fourth line to some, still smells like a checking line. And it's a good one.
Although Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger says he refuses to count the lines, stating that every line has equal importance in his scheme, we all really know better. Jack Eichel leads the forwards in even-strength time on ice and his linemates Sam Reinhart and Victor Olofsson are second and third, respectively. The next three in order are Jeff Skinner, Marcus Johansson and Vladimir Sobotka, who represent a line.
Perhaps it gets a little hazy after that as the Larsson/Zemgus Girgensons/Kyle Okposo line rank seventh, eight and ninth on the team in EV ATOI which might earn them the title of Buffalo's third line. Yet Okposo had this quote when discussing the effectiveness of his line, "We're a pretty formidable line right now, he said. "You look across (as an opponent,) you see a fourth line (his line) and you say, 'What the hell am I doing in my D-zone?'"
There was a lot of moaning and groaning when Sabres general manger Jason Botterill extended Larsson and Girgensons. After all they didn't amount to much on the scoresheet during a four-year span when Buffalo wasn't scoring and they were the worst team in the league, which included their third last place finish in five seasons. In 552 combined games the duo scored a combined 52 goals and added 74 assists.
As for Okposo, all one needs to do is look at the four years remaining on his contract at an average annual value of $6 million angst envelopes one's soul. Okposo will be with the Sabres this season and probably next as his contract is pretty much immoveable. Although he has 49 goals and 119 assists in his three seasons with the Sabres, 20 of those goals and 55 of his assists have come on the powerplay.
This season Okposo has his line's lone goal while Girgensons has it's only assist, yet they've been effective. Krueger said this about that line to the gathered media yesterday, "Larsson, Girgensons and Okposo have really been somebody we can trust and feel comfortable with. They play up and down the lines of he opposition. They make it hard on anybody they play up against.
"They're probably the only line that hasn't had one game where they've slipped a bit and what they also do is soften the opposition defense for other lines to follow."
Krueger uses a high-pressure system in the offensive zone which makes life very difficult on the opposition. The Larsson line has been relentless through four games and although they've scored only once they're a.) keeping the opposition out of the Sabres zone and b.) wearing down the defense and Krueger plays off of that when those defensemen hit the ice again.
The Larsson line has gone up against the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evegeni Malkin (PIT); Kyle Palmeri, Taylor Hall (NJD); Nick Foligno, Cam Atkinson (CBJ); Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin (MTL) and they've managed an even plus/minus rating despite scoring only one goal and the team is off to a 3-0-1 start. Tonight represents another huge challenge as they face off against the Florida Panthers.
Florida is off to a sluggish 1-2-0 start with their only win coming at home on Saturday against intra-state rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning. In that win, winger Mike Hoffman tallied the hat trick which got him move to the top line featuring Alexsander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Although they're off to slow starts this year, Barkov led the team with 96 points (35+61) last season while Huberdeau was second with 92 points (30+62.) Hoffman led the Panthers in goals with 36 and was third in points with 70. In addition to the skill all three possess they have size, can skate and have very high hockey IQ's.
"They've got some terrific upside with play recognition, patience with the puck," Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville told the local media yesterday. "Hoffman's got a big shot, Huberdeau can make plays, Barkov is everywhere so they do a little bit of everything. It should have the indgredients to be effective and they've played together in the past.
"Hoffman's playing well and it's an opportunity for the three to have the puck more as a team and if they have it more, we're going to be in a better spot." (via the Sun Sentinel)
It looks to be a battle of two forces and a huge test for the Larsson line, which should see a lot of the Barkov line as the Sabres have the last change and Krueger can match them up.
As Shakespeare once wrote, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet," and the Larsson line, by whatever name you want to call them, has been getting the job done. We'll see if they can continue that.
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Quick notes:
--Florida represents a fifth consecutive Eastern Conference foe that is expected to be in the playoff mix come April. Buffalo is 3-0-1 on the season with their only loss coming in overtime to the Columbus Blue Jackets and every win in October, especially against the East, goes a long way towards their goal of ending an eight-year playoff drought.
--The Sabres are off to their best start since the 2009-10 season when they began 4-0-1. They made the playoffs that year behind the Vezina Trophy performance of goalie Ryan Miller and defenseman Tyler Myers' Rookie of the Year season.
--Buffalo is 2-7-1 in their last 10 games against the Panthers, 4-6-0 at home.
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