2024 2025 Around the League Part 2

[Foppa2118]

Speaking of shots, I haven’t seen much discussion about how good we’ve been at shot suppression since the deadline.

Avs haven’t allowed 30+ shots in any of the 8 games since the deadline. Pretty damn impressive.

Great point. It's been extremely impressive. Reminds me a lot of how they defended in their Cup year. Only seen that a few times before the deadline, now we're seeing it a lot.

Teams just couldn't get shots in 22', because they not only defended hard, and hounded pucks, but their possession game was great. Just all around near perfect hockey. Visibly frustrated teams too, because nothing they did helped.

Just gotta clean up those turnovers.

 

[flyfysher]

Great point. It's been extremely impressive. Reminds me a lot of how they defended in their Cup year. Only seen that a few times before the deadline, now we're seeing it a lot.

Teams just couldn't get shots in 22', because they not only defended hard, and hounded pucks, but their possession game was great. Just all around near perfect hockey. Visibly frustrated teams too, because nothing they did helped.

Just gotta clean up those turnovers.

I was thinking about the Wild game where they repeatedly sabotaged our zone entries. We should be able to devise a strategy to deal with that tactic.

 

[Pokecheque]

I was thinking about the Wild game where they repeatedly sabotaged our zone entries. We should be able to devise a strategy to deal with that tactic.

By my observation, they're dumping the puck a LOT more than they have been, I want to say that change happened after the deadline. That's really the only way to deal with a team that tries to slog it up in the NZ, unless you have prime-era Brian Leetch you ain't skatin' through a trap. At least the team appears to be on board with this, there are times on the ice I swear MacKinnon would rather eat the entire menu at Macaroni Grill than dump the puck.

Now...they're not always consistent with the puck retrieval part but they have four lines now that can forecheck with speed. The only real frustrating stretches IMO are when they try and turtle and they send no one to forecheck, and let the opposition do whatever in the NZ as well.

 

[flyfysher]

By my observation, they're dumping the puck a LOT more than they have been, I want to say that change happened after the deadline. That's really the only way to deal with a team that tries to slog it up in the NZ, unless you have prime-era Brian Leetch you ain't skatin' through a trap. At least the team appears to be on board with this, there are times on the ice I swear MacKinnon would rather eat the entire menu at Macaroni Grill than dump the puck.

Now...they're not always consistent with the puck retrieval part but they have four lines now that can forecheck with speed. The only real frustrating stretches IMO are when they try and turtle and they send no one to forecheck, and let the opposition do whatever in the NZ as well.

Many moons ago after the Wild eliminated the Avs (screw you Matt Cooke) the Wild met the Hawks in the next round. You know how the Hawks dealt with the Wild’s trap? They chipped the puck up and over the Wild players in the NZ while simultaneously sending the forwards rushing in to retrieve it. It neutralized the Wild’s NZ trap so they couldn’t effectively crowd it. We have the speed to do this and scare the out of other teams.

 

[Pokecheque]

Many moons ago after the Wild eliminated the Avs (screw you Matt Cooke) the Wild met the Hawks in the next round. You know how the Hawks dealt with the Wild’s trap? They chipped the puck up and over the Wild players in the NZ while simultaneously sending the forwards rushing in to retrieve it. It neutralized the Wild’s NZ trap so they couldn’t effectively crowd it. We have the speed to do this and scare the out of other teams.

Yep, I've never understood why that isn't used more often. I feel like the Avs are chipping it more than they used to as well but this shouldn't be that hard a thing to do. For a while there I swear the only guy on the Avs who could chip the puck without just pulling a Nemeth and rifling it down the f***ing ice was Mark Barberio.

The team that did it to perfection was the 2010s-era Kings. Those guys basically played football with the puck, and no one could send a long-bomb pass up the ice over everyone's head quite like Kopitar, at least that's how I remembered it.

Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to but I feel like the Avs have an annoying tendency to send chipping/dumping attempts into opposition skates.

 

[flyfysher]

Yep, I've never understood why that isn't used more often. I feel like the Avs are chipping it more than they used to as well but this shouldn't be that hard a thing to do. For a while there I swear the only guy on the Avs who could chip the puck without just pulling a Nemeth and rifling it down the f***ing ice was Mark Barberio.

The team that did it to perfection was the 2010s-era Kings. Those guys basically played football with the puck, and no one could send a long-bomb pass up the ice over everyone's head quite like Kopitar, at least that's how I remembered it.

Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to but I feel like the Avs have an annoying tendency to send chipping/dumping attempts into opposition skates.

They are trying to revert to Joe Sacco hockey.

 

[Pokecheque]

They are trying to revert to Joe Sacco hockey.

Well we're seeing how successful it's been in Boston this year, so...

 

[RoyIsALegend]

The MacK line will rarely dump the puck in for obvious reasons. They want possession entering the zone for MacKinnon can button hook and create danger.

The second line can do both. Necas is one of the best zone entry players in the NHL, both eye test and analytics. Nelson and Lehky are strong on puck pursuit and board play.

Our 3rd line is perfect for dump and chase. Coyle has been really good about dumping into opposite corners and beating defensemen to the puck. Colton is your typical fly down the boards and crash defensemen player. Kiviranta also strong on puck pursuit.

4th line is all dump and chase. That’s when they are at their best.

We certainly have the right forward group to play that type of style when teams stack the blueline and neutral zone.

 

[flyfysher]

The MacK line will rarely dump the puck in for obvious reasons. They want possession entering the zone for MacKinnon can button hook and create danger.

The second line can do both. Necas is one of the best zone entry players in the NHL, both eye test and analytics. Nelson and Lehky are strong on puck pursuit and board play.

Our 3rd line is perfect for dump and chase. Coyle has been really good about dumping into opposite corners and beating defensemen to the puck. Colton is your typical fly down the boards and crash defensemen player. Kiviranta also strong on puck pursuit.

4th line is all dump and chase. That’s when they are at their best.

We certainly have the right forward group to play that type of style when teams stack the blueline and neutral zone.

Excellent analysis. Thank you. It’s not just about having the right players. When your tactics aren’t working then change them. He who adapts survives.

 

[Pokecheque]

Interesting listening about the whole weird Kovacevic/Keefe thing on 32 Thoughts, they seemed genuinely baffled as to why Keefe took a relatively softball question and turned it into a giant thing like that. That just didn't seem like a smart thing to do.

Also didn't know that Brunette recently called his Preds players "soft" which, as Friedman says in the pod, is about the worst thing you can call a hockey player. You better damn well know what you're doing if you drop THAT on them publicly. That said, won't be surprised if Bruno is out of work after this season.

 

[Foppa2118]

I was thinking about the Wild game where they repeatedly sabotaged our zone entries. We should be able to devise a strategy to deal with that tactic.

Yeah, they just gotta dump it in more. They're built to play that way now and seem willing to do it when they have to.

Agree with your chip play idea. Always thought they should work on those and try them more often.

EJ might be the best in the league at that soft high lob out of the zone that doesn't get iced. Cale tried one the other game too, but it got blocked.

Instead of doing it deeper in the zone, maybe try it just inside your own blueline and have it land just on the other side of the offensive blueline, and have the forwards skate into it. Could catch the D flat footed and having to turn.

One of the best plays I ever saw Forsberg make was that QB pass from his own zone for Blake to skate into. It was only a few games into the playoffs after missing the whole year too. Incredible.

I'm not sure that was even a set play. I think Pete just took a glance at Blake, was so creative and good at reading the play that he just lobbed it to the perfect spot on the ice, and Blake saw the puck in the air where he could get to it, and just hustled to get it and score.

 

[flyfysher]

Yeah, they just gotta dump it in more. They're built to play that way now and seem willing to do it when they have to.

Agree with your chip play idea. Always thought they should work on those and try them more often.

EJ might be the best in the league at that soft high lob out of the zone that doesn't get iced. Cale tried one the other game too, but it got blocked.

Instead of doing it deeper in the zone, maybe try it just inside your own blueline and have it land just on the other side of the offensive blueline, and have the forwards skate into it. Could catch the D flat footed and having to turn.

One of the best plays I ever saw Forsberg make was that QB pass from his own zone for Blake to skate into. It was only a few games into the playoffs after missing the whole year too. Incredible.

I'm not sure that was even a set play. I think Pete just took a glance at Blake, was so creative and good at reading the play that he just lobbed it to the perfect spot on the ice, and Blake saw the puck in the air where he could get to it, and just hustled to get it and score.

Agree with chipping just past the blue line. It forces the Wild to back off their NZ trap.

 

[Vaslof]

Funny game in Liiga. Two of the worst teams are playing with their league spots on the line, Pelicans vs Jukurit.
Pelicans take 13 minor penalties and 1 major. Jukurit scores 8 times on the PP, 0 elsewhere.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Avs need to keep winning. Mild getting healthy.

 

[sethro109]

Guys, did you know we lost the next Patrice Bergeron? Look I'm not happy we had to fork over Ritchie either, but there's no f***ing way he's the next PB. Seravalli is on some bullshit here.

 

[Foppa2118]

Funny game in Liiga. Two of the worst teams are playing with their league spots on the line, Pelicans vs Jukurit.
Pelicans take 13 minor penalties and 1 major. Jukurit scores 8 times on the PP, 0 elsewhere.

That's what they get for calling their team the Pelicans.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Why do I have these naked Asian women pictures on this website? Does anyone else experience the same thing?

Are they local singles in your area?

I'll take some naked Asian women over seeing the Wild logo any day.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Guys, did you know we lost the next Patrice Bergeron? Look I'm not happy we had to fork over Ritchie either, but there's no f***ing way he's the next PB. Seravalli is on some bullshit here.

As if I needed more reasons to call Frank an assclown. Does this guy even watch hockey? Who the hell is he watching to compare Cal Ritchie to Patrice Bergeron. If the Avs knew they had a Bergeron type prospect in the stable they would not trade him. Thats #1. #2 in what f***in world does Cal play a 2 way game? He barely plays a 1 way game. I dont think his offense is going to translate to the NHL like some. I can see him being more of a Viktor Kozlov type player IF he reaches his peak. Aint bad but aint a franchise changer. Seriously, Bergeron? One of the greatest 2 way players the game has ever seen and for my money the best I ever seen.

 

[BaconNater]

It's annoying that blockhead dummy can spout a stupid take like that and not have to wear it when it turns out to not be true

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[The Kingslayer]

Yeah, they just gotta dump it in more. They're built to play that way now and seem willing to do it when they have to.

Agree with your chip play idea. Always thought they should work on those and try them more often.

EJ might be the best in the league at that soft high lob out of the zone that doesn't get iced. Cale tried one the other game too, but it got blocked.

Instead of doing it deeper in the zone, maybe try it just inside your own blueline and have it land just on the other side of the offensive blueline, and have the forwards skate into it. Could catch the D flat footed and having to turn.

One of the best plays I ever saw Forsberg make was that QB pass from his own zone for Blake to skate into. It was only a few games into the playoffs after missing the whole year too. Incredible.

I'm not sure that was even a set play. I think Pete just took a glance at Blake, was so creative and good at reading the play that he just lobbed it to the perfect spot on the ice, and Blake saw the puck in the air where he could get to it, and just hustled to get it and score.

Gawd I miss that guy. Forsberg was so damn special.

 

[Foppa2118]

Gawd I miss that guy. Forsberg was so damn special.

We really are incredibly lucky to have watched so many all time greats. Forsberg, Sakic, Bourque, Roy, MacKinnon, Makar, Erik Johnson....

 

[The Kingslayer]

We really are incredibly lucky to have watched so many all time greats. Forsberg, Sakic, Bourque, MacKinnon, Makar, Erik Johnson....

Replace Makar with Cal Ritchie and I agree.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

We really are incredibly lucky to have watched so many all time greats. Forsberg, Sakic, Bourque, Roy, MacKinnon, Makar, Erik Johnson....

In alphabetical order:

Goalies:

Francouz, JS Giguere, Keumper, Roy, Theodore, Varlamov, Weiman​

Skaters:

Andreychuk, Arnason ( ), Barnaby, Barrie, Blake, Briere, Brunette, Deadmarsh, Drury, Duchene, Fleury, Foote, Forsberg, Girard, Gratton, Gusarov, Hannan, Hejduk, Helm, Hinote, Hunter, Iginla, Kariya, Kasparaitis, Keane, Konowalchuk, Kurri, Landeskog, Laperriere, Lehkonen, MacKinnon, Makar, Nichushkin, Nolan, Odgers, Ozolinsh, Parise, Parros, Rantanen, Ricci, Sakic, Selanne, Simon, Skoula, Smyth, Stastny (all of 'em), Svatos, Tanguay, Tucker, Turgeon, Vaananen, Vrbata, Wilson (Colin-Type), Yelle, and Young.​

Pretty sure you can find a decent team within those names. We've been absolutely blessed with players over the years.

 

[GeoRox89]

The MacK line will rarely dump the puck in for obvious reasons. They want possession entering the zone for MacKinnon can button hook and create danger.

The second line can do both. Necas is one of the best zone entry players in the NHL, both eye test and analytics. Nelson and Lehky are strong on puck pursuit and board play.

Our 3rd line is perfect for dump and chase. Coyle has been really good about dumping into opposite corners and beating defensemen to the puck. Colton is your typical fly down the boards and crash defensemen player. Kiviranta also strong on puck pursuit.

4th line is all dump and chase. That’s when they are at their best.

We certainly have the right forward group to play that type of style when teams stack the blueline and neutral zone.

I pray he teaches the rest of the team how to do this. Drove me crazy against the Stars last year. They took too long to play the dump and chase game when the possession one wasn’t working. Then they didn’t know how to do a soft corner dump in so even when they would put it there it just rimmed right around to Otter anyways and the Stars had a quick exit