Then Again, Maybe Not

Monday's practice session revealed some different line combos than those used over the previous several days and, for a change, it's more exciting than puzzling.  Mostly.

Teravainen --- Toews --- Hossa

This looks and feels better to me and is far preferable to Shaw skating with Toews and Hossa.  I don't want to grate on about Shaw because, for what he can do he does it very well.  The issue is that he is continually trotted out to perform a task he simply cannot complete.  He's wonderful in front of the net but that's not exactly what this line requires, and I worry that his lack of speed and discipline will hold this line back in terms of performance and frequent trips to the penalty box.  Teravainen is not a puck pursuit player but, alongside Toews and Hossa, he doesn't need to be.  His abundant playmaking skill should provide plenty of opportunities for his linemates and, given their ability to go deep and get pucks, may provide just as many shooting opportunities for the young Finn.

Panarin --- Anisimov --- Kane

The "Arts" line remains unchanged from the weekend and that's fine.  Despite his impressive debut on Saturday, Panarin is still a question mark but, if he's remotely as good as Hawks fans hope, this will be an exciting and effective trio.

Bickell --- Shaw --- Baun

The third line has, from time to time, been the spot in the lineup where the spare parts end up, and this iteration is just that.  Despite Coach Quenneville's best efforts to suggest otherwise, Shaw failed to distinguish himself as an NHL center last season.  His positioning is unexceptional and his face off skill is simply not there.  Still, if this combo is deployed as a quick-over-the-boards search and destroy unit they could prove useful, as each player has the ability to play a hard, physical game, create turnovers and cash in a goal here and there. That said, if this line fails to deliver I half expect to see Tikhonov slot in at center while Shaw shifts to the wing.

Desjardins --- Kruger --- Garbutt

I would have preferred that Shaw remain with Kruger and Desjardins but I'm not unhappy with this combination.  Garbutt has good speed and could even supplant the less fleet Desjardins on the penalty kill if it's not his penalties The Hawks are having to kill off, as he has a rep for overexuberance.

One more sleep.  Go Hawks.