Round One, Game Five Hotstove

Yet more injury talk

Tom Pyatt left Game 4 after a nasty hit on his first shift. Assuming he's out for Game 5, who should draw in (and who will, if it's not the same answer)?

Peter: Given that Tommy Wingels played in Game One, I think we're likely to see him back for Game Five if Pyatt is indeed out (as I suspect he will be). One thing I'd like about seeing Wingels is his physicality; the Bruins' blue line is inexperienced and guys like Chara and Liles have been playing a lot, so it's been a little frustrating to see so many fly-bys where Sens forwards passed up hits. Wingels likely wouldn't do that, and it could lead to good things for Ottawa.

That said, Dzingel's speed has been a huge weapon for Ottawa, and he's had great chances since coming in. Maybe adding Colin White into the lineup would give Ottawa a bit more speed and energy, which are two other assets that have been shown to give Boston's blueliners fits. There are pros and cons to Wingels and White, but I think Boucher is likely to go with the more experienced player and put Wingels into the lineup.

Trevor: I agree with Peter in that I bet Wingels ultimately draws in due to his experience. However, I'd love to see what White can bring to the table because he has the potential to produce some offense. And don't forget, he is known as a two-way centre, so it's not like Ottawa would be bringing in some offensively minded sniper who would be too risky.

At the end of the day, Wingels is still a good enough fourth liner that it's not that big of a deal as long as he actually stays on the fourth line.

Ross: I'm sticking with what I said in the series preview - Chris Neil draws in for Game 5, because Boucher can control the matchups he gets.

I'm not that opposed to Neil getting in - he'll be getting 6 minutes, he'll probably wind up Marchand into taking a penalty, he'll be nice and rested so he might actually do something helpful - but my preference would be White. Once again, Boucher would have the advantage of being able to pick his matchups, and I think White could bring a lot to the table (just like his WJC compatriot in Charlie McAvoy).

nkb: Based on the Guy Boucher Hierarchy of Forwards (trademark pending), Tommy Wingels would have to be the odds-on favourite to make a return to the line-up. Given the option of choosing between Neil, White and Wingels when all three were healthy Boucher has chosen Wingels. Nothing that's happened in the intervening period would lead me to believe anything has changed in that regard.

Personally I don't mind Wingels: he's a competent fourth liner who doesn't bring much by the way of offense but he can skate and he's a reasonable forechecker. White would be the more exciting option, but he's only played two NHL games so I wouldn't begrudge Boucher being reticent to throw him into the fire.

There's also a non-zero chance that Chris Kelly draws back in, thus allowing Zack Smith to move back to the wing. I like that move for Smith, who's a much better winger than centre, but I doubt it's worth the trade-off of having Kelly in the line-up. Kelly, like Neil, is unfortunately no longer a viable NHLer.

Callum: Who should? Tommy Wingels if he's healthy. I understand Colin White may be the more skilled player and more of a scoring threat, but Wingels was good in Game 1. A tonne of speed, big body and seems to play Boucher's system to a tee. The Senators have been wildly successful this series because they have outwitted the Bruins, especially in the neutral zone. I don't know if I would throw White into the fire right now when you've got a completely capable bottom six player in Wingels.

Who will? Well, Chris Kelly is still here. If I had to bet actual money, I'd still go with Wingels, but it's 51-49 right now in my head.

Ross: No lies - I actually forgot about Chris Kelly until people here started bringing him up.

Adnan: It will probably be Tommy Wingels because Boucher likely prefers him. I would like it to be White because White will likely be just as good with the possibility of something special. On the other hand, meh whatever.

Ary: Given that it's an elimination game where the margin for error will be slim, I wouldn't be surprised to see Wingels (given that he's a winger) or Kelly in. My hope (and vote) is for the former. If this Pyatt injury is long-term and the Senators make it to Round 2, I wouldn't be surprised to see Colin White in Game 2 or 3. Don't want to count our chickens before they hatch, though.

Colin: Although the majority seems to think Wingels, and that would be my personal choice, I could easily see Boucher slot in Chris Kelly. Three Sens forwards have averaged 2+ minutes of PK time on ice per game this season: Pageau, Pyatt and Kelly. Although Wingels or someone else could be slotted in, having two of his three most trusted penalty killers inactive is not the type of route I'd envision Guy Boucher to take.


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