For my money the terrible execution of offensive chances has directly led to several of the goals against which has made them 2 goal swings. The fact that this team has lost 7 games after leading by 2, 5 games after leading by 1 is just so damn weird. Especially considering they actually do have a good record when leading going into the third with only 3 OT losses and no regulations losses. This team has had the yips and it's flowed into all aspects of their game.
When Todd came in this team was allowed to open things up offensively, and we all craved it. Gone were the 50 shots from the point per game with 25 getting through, and various rebound sequences. Legit golden road passing was taking place and it felt like a step out of the dark ages. Now griping about Fiala fiddling with the puck near the blue line has become everyones favorite kvetch since they can no longer bemoan Durzi's aggressive nature. Watching PLD stand upright on ice, because that's what he does, is probably a close second. But really what we are all wanting to see more of is play directed toward the net instead of turnovers when everyone is going the other way. People crashing to the net (PLD) for puck retrieval when they make an entry and the winger gets a shot off on net. A simpler game is truly whats been craved instead of trying so many hope plays. How would that best be manifested?
2-1 where theres no clear passing lane across? Fine, shoot it off the pad if you don't think you've got the goalie beat
Being forced wide on entry? Ok carry to the corner for the cycle instead of turning back up at the dot
Rebound comes out to you with lots of traffic? Sneaky wrister back into the hole instead of passing back up to the point, you had traffic for christs sake, use it!
Some of this is game management, some of this is doing the 'harder" tihng and some of this is being ok with getting a stat if it goes in (its not selfish to do the right thing for the team). Anyway I stand by my original post that it's up to this new staff to figure out how best to play with this toy. The underlying stats are there, there's past performance that should be repeatable, it's up to coaches to deploy their resources in the best way to maximize them. Lets not pretend this team is a grinding behemoth of a defensive stalwart. These players thrive on having the puck and being rewarded. When they do all the other structure and blocked shots happen naturally. This group is not going to succeed by sitting in the defensive zone proving they can be a punching bag.
When Todd came in this team was allowed to open things up offensively, and we all craved it. Gone were the 50 shots from the point per game with 25 getting through, and various rebound sequences. Legit golden road passing was taking place and it felt like a step out of the dark ages. Now griping about Fiala fiddling with the puck near the blue line has become everyones favorite kvetch since they can no longer bemoan Durzi's aggressive nature. Watching PLD stand upright on ice, because that's what he does, is probably a close second. But really what we are all wanting to see more of is play directed toward the net instead of turnovers when everyone is going the other way. People crashing to the net (PLD) for puck retrieval when they make an entry and the winger gets a shot off on net. A simpler game is truly whats been craved instead of trying so many hope plays. How would that best be manifested?
2-1 where theres no clear passing lane across? Fine, shoot it off the pad if you don't think you've got the goalie beat
Being forced wide on entry? Ok carry to the corner for the cycle instead of turning back up at the dot
Rebound comes out to you with lots of traffic? Sneaky wrister back into the hole instead of passing back up to the point, you had traffic for christs sake, use it!
Some of this is game management, some of this is doing the 'harder" tihng and some of this is being ok with getting a stat if it goes in (its not selfish to do the right thing for the team). Anyway I stand by my original post that it's up to this new staff to figure out how best to play with this toy. The underlying stats are there, there's past performance that should be repeatable, it's up to coaches to deploy their resources in the best way to maximize them. Lets not pretend this team is a grinding behemoth of a defensive stalwart. These players thrive on having the puck and being rewarded. When they do all the other structure and blocked shots happen naturally. This group is not going to succeed by sitting in the defensive zone proving they can be a punching bag.
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