Danny Wild-Imagn Images
AT WAR WITH THE ARMY?
That's what some GI's were thinking during World Two when they couldn't figure out their generals' battle plans.
Watching Peter Laviolette coach his Blueshirts in a loss to Toronto, I couldn't help but wonder whether he was at war with the lineup that had previously beaten the Islanders at UBS.
The predominant – and dominating – line was his "Crash Unit," including Brennan Othmann, Jonny Brodzinski and Matt Rempe.
"They dominated in every way," says The Old Scout, "scoring-wise, physically and got plenty of ice time."
For a change, Lavvy rewarded them and Brod returned the favor by lamplighting twice along with a helper. Rempe roamed like a tame bison, while Othmann looked like a rookie who belonged on the roster months ago.
So, what kind of reward did these "Crash Guys" get in the follow up game with Toronto?
They were fixed; virtually exiled into bench limbo.
Or, as the late, great NHL President John Ziegler liked to say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
But Laviolette doesn't drive a Ford; otherwise he would have been reminded not to tinker with a winning combo.
"Instead," adds The Old Scout, "he treated his best line as if it was his worst line. They got so little ice, you didn't even know they were there."
Facing Nashville tonight, the Blueshirts should fatten up. The most disappointing team of the season, the Preds were defanged last night by the Islanders and will be minus captain Roman Josi tonight.
"This is the perfect game for Lavvy to give that Fourth Line plenty of ice time," The Old Scout concludes. "He owes it to them after the ice he didn't give them against Toronto."
Yeah, yeah; try telling that to Mister Fixit, the coach!