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How Returning Utah Hockey Club Forward Sparked Third Line

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Every team needs an energetic player on their team that can provide a spark. The third line for the Utah Hockey Club has particularly struggled all season long and seemed to have no answers for it. The line of Matias Maccelli, Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse is having a down year and the trio hasn’t clicked for Utah. A change in the line was made and the return of a forward has helped. Liam O’Brien hasn’t played much this season and his presence has given the Utah lineup a fresh burst of energy.

Spicing Things Up

O’Brien has only played in seven games this season as he was scratched for two months, essentially being excluded from the lineup. He returned against the Edmonton Oilers and played the next two against the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars. Although O’Brien doesn’t provide much offensively, he plays an aggressive style where he’ll hit anything that moves and will constantly forecheck.

In the game against the Flames, O’Brien’s pressure along the boards behind Calgary’s net helped dislodge the puck and led to a 1-0 lead for Utah. Crouse scored the goal, which was his first tally in 15 games and he would add another later in the game. Crouse spoke highly of O’Brien’s game and what he brings to the team. Although he’s had over 100 penalty minutes in each of the last three seasons, O’Brien adds a different element to the Utah lineup.

While O’Brien’s physicality is almost unmatched, he’s been the odd-man out this season. Now, “Spicy Tuna” is finally getting some reps in the Utah lineup. O’Brien’s last game was Oct. 28 against the San Jose Sharks. Utah lost the game 5-4 after an improbable third period comeback by the Sharks. The 30-year-old centre has added a different mix to the third line, which was in desperate need of a change.

Line Three’s Struggles

Despite recent two-goal games from Crouse and Maccelli, the third line has still struggled mightily. Maccelli has two points in 13 games, Bjugstad has two points in 14 games, and Crouse has two goals in 15 games. Those are terrifying numbers for players that each had over 40 points last season. With O’Brien added on the third line, he helped juice it up and it led to more scoring chances for the line.

Among Utah’s forwards, the third line ranks last with only 6.3 expected goals for. Also, the Maccelli, Bjugstad and Crouse line has only scored two goals and gave up 6 when together. That explains why the trio each has a negative plus/minus rating. Maccelli at -7, Bjugstad at -6 and Crouse at -3.

His Impact on the Third Line

In Calgary, Crouse led the team in shots on goal with three, Bjugstad had an assist, and O’Brien recorded two shots. The entire line looked faster, possessed the puck and created plays with it. That’s a style of play the line has lacked for some time now.

In Dallas, the trio each played a role in a rare Maccelli goal. The 24-year-old scored in his return from illness off a great backhand pass from Crouse and added another after. It could just be a coincidence, but all three players factoring on a goal after O’Brien came back in is something to think about.

He may have altered the entire thinking process of Crouse and Bjugstad, with Maccelli as the beneficiary. Maccelli was on the fourth line in Saturday’s game, but O’Brien has brought new life to the third line and now they’re rejuvenated. This could earn him more chances to play in the’s future.

Main Photo: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The post How Returning Utah Hockey Club Forward Sparked Third Line appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.