'The Big Line' Producing Hefty Results

Lawson Crouse. Carl Soderberg. Christian Fischer.
Rick Tocchet calls them "The Big Line."
"Simple as that," he said.
Those three Coyotes combine nearly 650 pounds of beef.
Radio color commentator Paul Bissonnette has dubbed them "The Meat Line."

Asked for which nickname he preferred, Tocchet's 'The Big Line' or Bissonnette's 'The Meat Line,' Fischer decided to meet them down the middle.
"I mean, I guess 'The Big Meat Line.' That could work."
The trio creates thunder on the forecheck and makes life miserable (and sometimes painful) for opponents low in the defensive zone.

"They get in people's way," Tocchet said. "They block shots. Fisch, Sodie and Crouser, they block shots. They get in people's way."
They're heavy hitters. Crouse ranks No. 1 on the Coyotes with 26 postseason hits, Soderberg ranks No. 3 with 18 hits, and Fischer No. 4 with 16 hits.

The three, put together as a unit in Game 3 against Nashville, also have combined for 17 shot blocks.
"They've done a really nice job for us the last four or five games of being that identity line," Tocchet said. "You have to have an identity line in the playoffs, and they're our identity line. They're out there and they get in people's way. We need that. Our team sorely needs people to get in people's way."
Said Fischer, "Obviously, there are four lines that have different roles. And for the most part, I thought we've done what we can. I think we're giving ourselves our best chance. We know how our team is built. We play a very simple, hard-working game."
Fischer and his "Meat"-mates have started against Colorado's star-studded top line in all three games.

"Playing against their top line has kind of been a big job of ours," Fischer said. "And in the Nashville series, as well. I think it's been a great opportunity for us to play against some of these guys who are Top 10 guys in our league. To have the trust to get put on the ice against them and take those defensive zone draws."
Indeed, Tocchet has shown an immense amount of trust in those three. Not only to get in the lanes of Colorado's high-flying top line, but to be the line that creates extra energy when things look worrisome.
"After a big goal, you get scored on, you need a big shift," Fischer said. "Whether it be Carl or Crouser going out there and giving a big hit, getting in and giving a good shift in their zone after a goal. There's just so many swings in games constantly, and obviously you don't want to be stuck on the end of a bad swing and get hounded in your zone. It takes a lot out of your team, and then your bench starts getting quiet, and so on. I think it's been a fun task. I think our depth guys have done really well."

Brad Richardson and Michael Grabner, who have been playing on the fourth line, are key examples of Fischer's analysis.
"When we have our opportunities to play offense, we play offense," Fischer said of the team's third and fourth units. "You look at Brad Richardson right now, look at Grabner. Those guys that are probably are more known for their PK and defensive roles. These guys have the same skill and the same shot as just about anyone. They're just put in different roles. It's good to see so far."
Said Tocchet: "In playoff history, playoff champions, we all say it: You look at the Lemieuxs, the Crosbys, the Gretzkys, all the top players, they're phenomenal players. But people remember the fourth line guys, the guys that do the little things. Grabs with a couple big goals for us, Richie with a couple big goals for us, Vinnie going to the net on Richie's goal, little things like that. Fisch blocking shots. You need to have identity in the playoffs."

They don't log the most ice time, but their minutes have been invaluable.
"Sometimes you might play 10 minutes, sometimes you might play 12," Tocchet said. "That's the hard thing about it. There are a lot of power plays and penalties. Some of the (depth) guys may sit on the bench for five minutes or six minutes, but you've got to get out there and you've got to give us something. Those are the guys that are usually the glue guys that help you win. Those guys have really helped us out in those instances, especially with some key goals."
As for defensive play , Tocchet has been impressed with Jordan Oesterle, who the coach described as "terrific."
"Probably our most consistent guy from the first game against Nashville until that third game against Colorado," Tocchet said. "He was on the fourth pairing in training camp. He didn't really play well before the pause. He didn't pout, and I'm so proud of him because he's been aggressive out there, too. I'm watching video and he's getting in peoples' way. He's not a big guy, but he's chipping the body, he's boxing out, he's jumping up in the play, and I really like his game."

Oesterle is second among Coyotes defensemen in playoff scoring with three points (1G, 2A), including a critical go-ahead goal in Game 4 against Nashville.
"He's gotten his game to a different level," Tocchet said. "He's turned into a really good NHL defenseman. He's probably been one of our most consistent guys this entire playoffs."
Tocchet knows, first line or fourth line, top defenseman or third pairing, the Coyotes will need everyone ready to battle Colorado in Game 4 -- and moving forward.
"We have 21 guys to control it," Tocchet said. "I know the Avs are going to come out hard. It doesn't matter. You have to meet pressure with pressure. It doesn't matter what they do. We've got to worry about what we do."
As for Fischer, he'll look to stick to the script.
"Myself, I think I've been playing a lot more physical," Fischer said. "I've been given the opportunity to play against their top line a lot. It's about winning the game. It doesn't matter who's scoring the goal. My job is to shut down or to hit their top defensemen, be in their face and make them feel pressure."

Lead Photo Credit: Andy Devlin - NHLI via Getty Images // Second Photo Credit: Dave Sandford - NHLI via Getty Images // Third Photo Credit: Jeff Vinnick - NHLI via Getty Images // Fourth Photo Credit: Andy Devlin - NHLI via Getty Images // Fifth Photo Credit: Jeff Vinnick - NHLI via Getty Images // Sixth Photo Credit: Jeff Vinnick - NHLI via Getty Images // Footer Photo Credit: Andy Devlin - NHLI via Getty Images