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In defense of 11 forwards? John Tortorella plans to stick with the lineup strategy

January 25, 2024

Jan 23, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (9) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Don't like the Philadelphia Flyers' recent move to a 11-forward, seven-defenseman lineup?
John Tortorella used to be on your side. He's not anymore.
“I've never really liked the 11 and 7, but it's been very productive for me at the forward end, to bounce people in," the Flyers head coach said on Tuesday, just hours before he rolled with the lineup structure for the fourth consecutive game.
The 11F/7D structure is not the standard NHL lineup. Most teams roll with 12 forwards and six defensemen on a nightly basis, and for good reason. It's simply easier for coaches to manage in-game -- four lines of three forwards, three pairs of two defensemen -- and it's a lineup structure that fosters conti...

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