I know, I know video games aren't realistic.
Except the one thing I've learned from many, many seasons of GMing. Chemistry amongst the players is the key to success.
eg: you would never win many games with too many of the same type of player. ( you'd never win with 6 McDavids and 6 Nurses )
you need balance among the team.
I see that we have too many similar players trying to work. The reason that Petey's line with the 2 russians works is that their style complements each other.
Boeser is redundant with Kuzmenko succeeding with Ep40.
Garland and Motte were virtually the same player.
Horvat and Miller work well together.
Forward lines seem to need 1 shooter, 1 passer, 1 corner mucker.
Defense pairs need 1 stay at home, 1 offensive tendency man.
Personalities also come to bear in these lines/pairs.
I don't have all the answers, this is just my learning from watching and simulating games.