Watching the Stanley Cup Final, it’s almost hard to believe there were points in the postseason when there was reason to worry about Sidney Crosby’s line. Two games in, the top unit has delivered two stellar performances, even providing the game-winner in Wednesday’s 2-1 overtime win by the Penguins.
Conor Sheary scoring in both games is particularly worthy of note, and it has to be a relief to the rookie winger. But it’s somewhat remarkable Sheary is even still on Crosby’s line.
For much of the postseason, Crosby—the league’s best player—has struggled to put points on the board at even strength, and Sheary was the easy player to replace on that line. Patric Hornqvist is a proven offensive weapon on the right side, and with Phil Kessel shooting the lights out on Pittsburgh’s "HBK" line, there wasn’t a plausible replacement for him.
Sheary, in contrast, is an undrafted 5’8” winger in his first year in the NHL. Head coach Mike Sullivan could easily have dumped him in favour of Crosby’s longtime running mate Chris Kunitz ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Jonathan Willis
Conor Sheary’s Placement on Crosby Line Sinking Sharks While Silencing Critics
June 1st, 2016 by Jonathan Willis Leave a reply »
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