So, if line rushes are correct, Jeff Carter is playing left wing today on a line with Mike Richards and Simon Gagne.

That's not a type-o. Carter, a right hand shot, is on the left and Gagne, a left-hand shot, is on the right.

As far as I can remember, neither have ever played those positions in their NHL careers.

It's a curious decision, and might just be a decoy before the game begins, but if Peter Laviolette is taking this approach, it is certainly a stunner.

It might be to protect Carter's right foot a little more, keeping it away from offensive traffic as opposed to toward it, but that's a reach in the playoffs if you ask me.

At least Laviolette didn't break up the other lines, which have produced so well for him in the playoffs, but they might be better suited with another alternative then the hobbled Carter on the left side.

Fans should hope that this is in fact a strategic, short term plan with another aspect of it in place for the rest of Game 4.

If not, it will certainly be a hot button topic in the post game press conferences.

Stay tuned....