RIDING SHOTGUN

Lines, like promises, are notoriously made to be broken.
Or at least bent, re-shaped.
"Those two,'' agreed Elias Lindholm, "are super easy to play with.
"We've only had one practice and one game together so far but I think we had a lot of chances (Saturday).
"For me, it's just a question of staying with it and hopefully put one in next game.
"Still, we've got to get to know each other a little better and work to be on the ice and get the chemistry. I thought as a line we played decent the other night.
"Hopefully we can play better (Wednesday)."

The identity of the third spoke to the Sean Monahan-Johnny Gaudreau wheel of fortune morphed into the hottest parlour game of late summer in and around Calgary.
Right up there with: Who'll be the next Bond?
For the moment, anyway, Lindholm, Elias Lindholm, is the man. Although consult your Playbill for one James Neal to sub in at certain performances.
"One thing we talked about when making that trade,'' admitted assistant GM Craig Conroy, "is that during exit meetings last year both Johnny and Mony told us: 'Hey, we want to be out there against top lines in key situations, at ends of games, against the best players.'
"So we started a search for someone who can take a draw on the right side, is responsible defensively but also can contribute offensively. Someone who makes you think of them as a real good two-way line, not only an offensive threat.
"We wanted to slot in a player who fit that mold."
Voila! Elias Lindholm. Someone incoming boss Bill Peters knows well from their time together in Raleigh, S.C.
And, it must be said, the very early returns are encouraging. During the 4-3 shootout loss to Boston in Shenzhen, the line struck for two of Calgary's goals, Lindholm registering a couple of helpers.
Contextually, his versatility and dependability does jive rather nicely alongside Gaudreau's jaw-dropping audacity and Monahan's lethal puff-adder finishing ability.
"He balances them off,'' said Peters following Tuesday's practice ahead of the final instalment of the 2018 O.R.G. China Games, at Cadillac Arena versus the Boston Bruins.
"He's got a 200-foot game. He's aware. He's responsible.
"He's real good on face-offs, too, whether he lines up as a winger and he's jumping hard off the wall or he's taking the draw.
"He has a very good face-off winning percentage. That's an asset we want to make sure we capitalize on.
"We're not set in stone who that right-winger is gonna be. I thought last game that line was dangerous. All three had good looks.
"All three are good players, support each other well and we'll see how it all plays out, see if there's some chemistry built in there."
Lindholm himself understands the likely impermanence of the situation.
"You don't find too many lines stick together for too long,'' he conceded. "It's usually two guys and the third spot is open. So, we'll see.
"For me, now, just try to play my game. I know I'm a good two-way forward and those two are really good offensively.
"Just try to adjust, see what's open and if I get an opportunity to put one in, I'm gonna put one in tomorrow."
That would certainly go a ways in continuing the audition.
"He's a good, solid, dependable guy,'' praised Conroy. "And you can't get enough of those. Makes plays, so smart in his own zone. It's kind of like having Fro (Micheal Frolik) on a line. You always feel good having Fro out there, at any time, with any linemates, in any situation.
"Lindholm's the same way.
"Yeah, if you want to call him a 'security blanket', I guess that fits.
"The great thing he gives you is flexibility. He gives you options. The days of three guys together all the time … they don't exist anymore.
There's usually two together and you see different guys platooned into that third spot.
"If Neal's there, we're more than likely looking for a goal. If Lindholm's there, we're looking for that combination of offence and defence, at the end of games, protecting a lead.
"Either way, it's a win, right?
"I mean, injuries, things change quick in the game today."
Only too true. Because, after all, lines, like promises …