2. The first line is the biggest x-factor
When the first line has played well this season, you’ve seen victories like the one over the Stars and the 5-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers earlier this year. However, the production has not been there consistently.
Staal, Aho, and Teravainen combined for 11 points in one game and have the potential to repeat this type of performance in the upcoming weeks. However, Staal has a history of issues with inconsistencies since he entered the league with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007.
Staal is one of the co-captains and is possibly an even bigger piece than Justin Faulk, the other captain. The lack of offense can be directly contributed to the random spurts of points that have contributed to Staal’s total stat line this season.
If Aho does actually get going after this performance, then this entire line could come alive very quickly. Teravainen and Aho do have a more natural scoring touch, but Staal has the size and vision to rack up just as many points.