There is just something that fits with that trio. Vrbata was a great early addition on their line, but he's a perimeter guy like they are, and his MO with the Twins has been to setup shop on his off-wing and wait for the cross-ice feed for a one-timer or tap in down low. As soon as opposing defenses took that away the PP and the 5-on-5 offense effectiveness dried up.
Burrows is the two-way guy that supports that line. He goes to every area of the ice, he provides traffic in front, and is a pesky nuisance that moves around and keeps the defense more honest. When he's in the crease getting in the goaltender's business, at least one defender has to be preoccupied with him, when he engages in the cycle you'll see him float high in the slot, down to the crease, behind the net, and up the half-boards in support, the defenders have to pay attention and can't just shut the Sedins down by setting up positionally. In short, Burrows forces the defenders to move around and adjust. The fact that he knows the Sedins so well after all these years adds to his impact.
Vrbata, "demoted" to the 2nd line, has continued to produce points. He adds a scoring threat and a veteran presence, and that line is better at a run and gun, create off the rush attack. Even with Vey as the center on that line in place of the injured Bonino that line continues to provide offense. I would love to see what a 2nd line would look like for us with a real top-6 guy on the LW instead of Higgins.....regardless of who centers that line.
Our top-6 has just seemed revitalized lately, and the Sedin's in particular seem to have grabbed a second wind since Burrows hopped back up to ride shotgun for them.
The increased energy and chemistry from our bottom-6 has really helped of course too.
