Line Combos: 2024-2025 Powerplay Discussion

[morhilane]

Are our defenseman making a lot of shooting attempts though?

It's more that they need to aim for the net. They get most of their shots blocked or miss wide.

Also, the team doesn't have that much sustained ozone time, so harder for dmen to make shots.

 

[Toene]

Eventually, we'll also have Mailloux and Roy as PP weapons for the 2nd wave.

 

[BLONG7]

Matheson hasn't seen a shin pad he didn't want to hit.

Hutson gets his shot through and looks for tips.

Hutson would improve that aspect tremendously.

I would like to see Matheson and Hutson both on the back end of our PP.

The 3 forwards can be changed but keep the two d on the ice......................then do not use either to kill penalties and allow them to get more PP time...

Markov/Souray were amazing together on the PP............Markov and Wiznewski............Markov and Streit were fantastic.......................now neither Matheson or Hutson can shoot the puck the way these guys did, but I just am not a fan of 4 forwards and 1 Dman...

 

[Habssince89]

I would like to see Matheson and Hutson both on the back end of our PP.

The 3 forwards can be changed but keep the two d on the ice......................then do not use either to kill penalties and allow them to get more PP time...

Markov/Souray were amazing together on the PP............Markov and Wiznewski............Markov and Streit were fantastic.......................now neither Matheson or Hutson can shoot the puck the way these guys did, but I just am not a fan of 4 forwards and 1 Dman...

how could you not mention Markov-Subban, the best PP duo we've had on the blueline lol

 

[OldCraig71]

That's why i'm not convinced things would change all that much with Hutson...perhaps it would from a puck distribution perspective.

But the biggest problem will still be that the 1st wave only has 1 willing/capable shooter.

When Laine comes back, i'd like to see Laine play the left half wall spot, Cole play the bumper, Suzuki play the right wall spot, then you can have Hutson play the puck distributor at the top of the umbrella.

Xhekaj has a 100 mph slapshot and decent hands for a defenseman which begs the question, why haven't they tried him with his shooting ability? We do not get shots through from the point on the pp.

 

[Habssince89]

Xhekaj has a 100 mph slapshot and decent hands for a defenseman which begs the question, why haven't they tried him with his shooting ability? We do not get shots through from the point on the pp.

Idk if he can walk the line or pass well enough to QB on the PP. My pitch is to have him parked in front of the goalie as a screener, and have a set play where he moves to use that slapper

 

[OldCraig71]

Idk if he can walk the line or pass well enough to QB on the PP. My pitch is to have him parked in front of the goalie as a screener, and have a set play where he moves to use that slapper

The team is rebuilding and last in the league, what exactly do we have to lose?

 

[Habssince89]

The team is rebuilding and last in the league, what exactly do we have to lose?

If they tried it I wouldn't complain but there's too many D that makes sense before him to get around to trying it

 

[BLONG7]

If they tried it I wouldn't complain but there's too many D that makes sense before him to get around to trying it

Guhlie also.........has totally been missed.... he could also be a great candidate, and should be tried.

 

[salbutera]

Xhekaj has a 100 mph slapshot and decent hands for a defenseman which begs the question, why haven't they tried him with his shooting ability? We do not get shots through from the point on the pp.

Use of slap shot has gone the way of the do do bird..

 

[417]

Xhekaj has a 100 mph slapshot and decent hands for a defenseman which begs the question, why haven't they tried him with his shooting ability? We do not get shots through from the point on the pp.

I've thought about that too, as a shooter he would be a solid option...but not as a top of the umbrella/puck distributor.

He lacks the creativity for that...but I wouldn't be mad at it on a 2nd unit.

how could you not mention Markov-Subban, the best PP duo we've had on the blueline lol

They weren't that good together...not even close to Markov/Souray.

 

[G0bias]

That's why i'm not convinced things would change all that much with Hutson...perhaps it would from a puck distribution perspective.

But the biggest problem will still be that the 1st wave only has 1 willing/capable shooter.

When Laine comes back, i'd like to see Laine play the left half wall spot, Cole play the bumper, Suzuki play the right wall spot, then you can have Hutson play the puck distributor at the top of the umbrella.

There are shooting options other than Caufield, they just aren't being used. Who on PP1 is setting up Suzuki or Slaf for a shot?

You can see the shift in Suzuki's game whenever he's being set up by a good passer in Slafkovsky. He's willing to shoot.

With Hutson as the distributor, more shooting options would open up.
No doubt Laine should also help in that aspect.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

23.2% PP - 9th in the NHL. I hope we're finally turning the corner.

Main reason for success is the 2nd unit. They scored almost as many pp goals as the first unit. It's the only reason I can think of why Marty hasn't put Hutson on pp1 yet.

 

[417]

There are shooting options other than Caufield, they just aren't being used. Who on PP1 is setting up Suzuki or Slaf for a shot?

You can see the shift in Suzuki's game whenever he's being set up by a good passer in Slafkovsky. He's willing to shoot.

With Hutson as the distributor, more shooting options would open up.
No doubt Laine should also help in that aspect.

I'm not sure what you mean by who is setting the up for shots, there's no designated set up man.

Suzuki and Slafkovski CAN shoot, it's just not their preference and teams know this.

Teams overplay Caufield because they know he is willing/capable and the entire purpose of the Habs PP is to create lanes to get HIM to shoot.

Once/if you have Caufield/Laine, two very capable AND willing shooters, then the opponents have to pick their poison, and it will open up things for everyone else.

Just my take...most successful PPs are successful because they have more than 1 shooting threat.

 

[OldCraig71]

Use of slap shot has gone the way of the do do bird..

That's fake news.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Main reason for success is the 2nd unit. They scored almost as many pp goals as the first unit. It's the only reason I can think of why Marty hasn't put Hutson on pp1 yet.

It’s funny, I used the Rangers (Fox rookie season) as an example of why it might not be crazy to have Hutson on PP2 as a rookie. It was good for the Ranger’s PK %, and for Fox’s development.

There are parallels between deAngelo/Fox and Matheson/Hutson, incl Gorton.

Matheson’s power play points / 60 were slightly better than DeAngelo’s when Fox was a rookie on the 2nd unit.

NYR had a better PP% but had the luxury of Fox on the 2nd unit (2:00/G).

The Habs 2nd unit featured Barron or Xhekaj who didn’t produce … not surprising with Gallagher, Anderson, Pearson and company.

In any event, I don’t think they regret how they handled Fox.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Use of slap shot has gone the way of the do do bird..

Yes. As a tactic.

You’ll still see it from guys like Makar, Hughes and Fox but after the D over commits down low or there’s a juicy rebound that they step into.

In base setup, your more likely to see a quick wrist / snap shot for a tip or rebound, as you say.

 

[G0bias]

I'm not sure what you mean by who is setting the up for shots, there's no designated set up man.

Suzuki and Slafkovski CAN shoot, it's just not their preference and teams know this.

Teams overplay Caufield because they know he is willing/capable and the entire purpose of the Habs PP is to create lanes to get HIM to shoot.

Once/if you have Caufield/Laine, two very capable AND willing shooters, then the opponents have to pick their poison, and it will open up things for everyone else.

Just my take...most successful PPs are successful because they have more than 1 shooting threat.

That’s what i’m saying, if Hutson was there, he’d actually act as an effective PP quaterback should and would create those shooting opportunities for them.
Therefore more shooting threats.

Not something we’ve ever really seen from Matheson. Specially in regards to passing to Nick or Slaf.

Like i said, if Suzuki is properly set up, he’ll shoot.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

A rough estimate gave us 40-45 goals from the backend last season and yes, it was mentioned multiple times. @Le Barron de HF We don't seem to be getting shots through from the point like we did last year. We have 13 ppg's, all from forwards.

So I checked:

	LAST SEASON
	SOG avg	SOG / 60
SAVARD	0.9​	2.7​
MATHESON	2.3​	5.4​
KOVACEVIC	0.7​	2.7​
HARRIS	0.8​	2.6​
BARRON	1.3​	4​
XHEKAJ	1.4​	5.2​
STRUBLE	0.8​	3.1​
GUHLE	1.4​	3.9​
AVERAGE	1.2​	3.7​

	THIS SEASON
	SOG avg	SOG / 60
SAVARD	0.7​	2.2​
MATHESON	1.5​	3.8​
BARRON	1​	3.7​
XHEKAJ	0.8​	3.6​
STRUBLE	1.3​	5​
GUHLE	1.1​	3​
MAILLOUX	1.4​	5.1​
HUTSON	0.8​	1.9​
AVERAGE	1.075​	3.5375​

So not a huge difference in grand scheme of things. But Matheson huge difference, ditto for Struble and Xhekaj.

 

[OldCraig71]

So I checked:

	LAST SEASON
	SOG avg	SOG / 60
SAVARD	0.9​	2.7​
MATHESON	2.3​	5.4​
KOVACEVIC	0.7​	2.7​
HARRIS	0.8​	2.6​
BARRON	1.3​	4​
XHEKAJ	1.4​	5.2​
STRUBLE	0.8​	3.1​
GUHLE	1.4​	3.9​
AVERAGE	1.2​	3.7​

	THIS SEASON
	SOG avg	SOG / 60
SAVARD	0.7​	2.2​
MATHESON	1.5​	3.8​
BARRON	1​	3.7​
XHEKAJ	0.8​	3.6​
STRUBLE	1.3​	5​
GUHLE	1.1​	3​
MAILLOUX	1.4​	5.1​
HUTSON	0.8​	1.9​
AVERAGE	1.075​	3.5375​

So not a huge difference in grand scheme of things. But Matheson huge difference, ditto for Struble and Xhekaj.

Thanks for doing this. I do see the forwards pushing the puck back to the points once we gain the zone(ES) but most of the shots that do get through haven't been dangerous. I suggested trying Xhekaj on the pp (the second wave is fine) because of his shot power. 100 mph slapshot is a weapon that should be used more often.

Edit: I just checked last year's stats and our D scored 6 ppg's, Matheson with 5 and Barron with 1.

 

[Adriatic]

how could you not mention Markov-Subban, the best PP duo we've had on the blueline lol

 

[the valiant effort]

It is wild how much it feels like the Markov/Subban PP era was good, but was actually very bad. Just that much more work for Price trying to maintain a 2-1 lead.

 

[CHwest]

Use of slap shot has gone the way of the do do bird..

Should be a mainstay for the first shooter of a shootout, right between the circle, head high, give em something to think about.

 

[Habssince89]

View attachment 930196

Right, actually gtfo of here

I've thought about that too, as a shooter he would be a solid option...but not as a top of the umbrella/puck distributor.

He lacks the creativity for that...but I wouldn't be mad at it on a 2nd unit.


They weren't that good together...not even close to Markov/Souray.

Show me the numbers. PK and Markov were dynamite

It is wild how much it feels like the Markov/Subban PP era was good, but was actually very bad. Just that much more work for Price trying to maintain a 2-1 lead.

That era was rough but that pairing was fantastic

 

[70Stang]

As long as management has a love affair with Matheson they will struggle. He is the most selfish player when it comes to the power play. On a good team he would be a 5-6. On a bad team they have made him as #1-2. Put the players in the right chair and that starts with Mailloux and Hutson on 1st PP waive. I really liked Strubles game last year but he has struggled as well. Play the future get rid of Savard and Struble. Go out find find a legit solid right shot Dman to solidify the D core. How small is this team going to be with RHP, Gally, Caufeild, Hutson,Newhook ? The make up of the team doesn't make sense currently.