Fix the power play

[emptyNedder]

At least look at what is different between the 6 on 5 in those 2 games and the power play. Because they definitely looked different live.

So I did just that. Williams was on the left in both sequences where the Canes scored 6-0n-5. On the power play that was unsuccessful in the two minutes prior to scoring in the Wild game, Williams played on the right side.

The solution seems to be to put Williams on his off-side. It is the position that players like Ovie and Laine take to get one-timers on the power play. The Canes should put Williams on the left side on the first unit with Aho on the right so he can also one-time pucks. Chrispy--you are quite insightful.

 

[tarheelhockey]

It’s like he is over correcting for Peters’ issues. Sometimes things need to be changed.

It’s a different approach for sure. I don’t like the current formulation, but I can see his point about looking at the big picture and letting the group become cohesive before dissolving it and starting over.

Part of the issue here is that PPs at this level have to be fairly precise about what they’re doing. This isn’t like our even strength strategy where we can be successful by just running around causing havoc. PK units are disciplined and have one objective in mind, and they are successful when they prevent odd-man situations from emerging in small spaces. If the PP is tinkering with the puck or thinking too much about where to go next, the PK snaps back into formation and there’s no real opportunity to be had. Successful PPs move the puck quickly and with authority, boom-boom-boom, next thing you know it’s a 2-on-1 in the slot. That’s what’s missing for us. The players have a general notion but it’s not instantaneously intuitive yet. Until that happens, I’m not sure the personnel really matters other than the guys (Aho) who can make skill plays to create something out of nothing.

 

[The Jerk Store]

Current powerplay

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Pesce wants to make an impact on the offensive side of the puck. It's noticeable. Give him a shot on the 2nd unit in place of Slavin. Slavin doesn't really bring anything to the table on that unit, be it zone entries, puck movement or a threat to score from distance. I like Pesce's willingness to shoot. If the goal is to crash the net, the puck getting there is obviously important.

I also don't care for Teravainen up top. Opposing PKs know he's not going to score from there and don't have to respect his shot. Put him behind the goal-line and let his go-to be the Lindholm play to Zykov or Williams in the slot. If Staal's faceoff ability is needed more than Teravainen's proficiency with zone entries, swap them.

 

[MinJaBen]

It’s a different approach for sure. I don’t like the current formulation, but I can see his point about looking at the big picture and letting the group become cohesive before dissolving it and starting over.

I get that, too. But if this patience is the case, why did we see such a dramatic change in personnel between the preseason PP units that were working well and the current units? Why were those units not given a chance to “gel”? What I see is an over reliance on the veterans, Williams and Staal and Faulk in particular.

 

[emptyNedder]

Another thing from watching the Minnesota game from the last power play through the tying goal with McElhinney pulled. Don't let Ferland handle the puck. He nearly sealed a Wild victory when the Canes were on the power play by giving puck directly to a defender. Ferland is a great net-front presence, his physicality changes the game, but his puck handling should be limited.

 

[RodTheBawd]

I also don't care for Teravainen up top. Opposing PKs know he's not going to score from there and don't have to respect his shot. Put him behind the goal-line and let his go-to be the Lindholm play to Zykov or Williams in the slot. If Staal's faceoff ability is needed more than Teravainen's proficiency with zone entries, swap them.

Last season, TT was the pivot on the circle and moved to the high slot for the majority of his goals, right? I'd rather him there than play the Lindholm role. Teams may not respect his shot from the point, but they sure as shit have to from inside the dots.

 

[DaveG]

PP1:
Zykov (net front)
Svechnikov, Aho
Teravainen - Faulk

PP2:
Staal
Williams, Ferland
Necas - Hamilton

 

[DougieSmash]

Our best powerplay this season was in Minny when Brindy send Hamilton and Faulk together

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Last season, TT was the pivot on the circle and moved to the high slot for the majority of his goals, right? I'd rather him there than play the Lindholm role. Teams may not respect his shot from the point, but they sure as **** have to from inside the dots.

3 from in the right circle (all outside the dots), 1 from in the left (outside the dots) and 1 to the left of the net, right off the goal line.

Perhaps I'm being too hard on him, but that 1st unit has never looked right to me. There's too much hot potato up top. The counterargument will be that Faulk and the Finns are patiently waiting for shooting lanes. Still, it hasn't materialized into anything other than mediocrity. Something has to change after 2 years of the same thing. You can swap out Faulk for Hamilton and hope that a shoot-happy player changes the dynamic of that trio, but I'm not sure that makes the difference.

At this point, the team doesn't have the personnel to build a successful PP based on strong puck movement, like a Pittsburgh. It also lacks that dynamic shot from the half-wall, like a Washington or Winnipeg. The pathway to success, imo, is to get traffic in front and put the puck on net with consistency. Opposing PPs will cheat towards the points and that opens a two-man game down low.

 

[bluedevil58]

I honestly think it's a skill problem. That's why our PP sucks.

 

[Chrispy]

The PP has to work just as hard as 5-on-5. The 6-on-5 man advantage works hard because it's desperate. That's what gets the job done.

Yes, there's a ****-ton of innuendo in there.

So I did just that. Williams was on the left in both sequences where the Canes scored 6-0n-5. On the power play that was unsuccessful in the two minutes prior to scoring in the Wild game, Williams played on the right side.

The solution seems to be to put Williams on his off-side. It is the position that players like Ovie and Laine take to get one-timers on the power play. The Canes should put Williams on the left side on the first unit with Aho on the right so he can also one-time pucks. Chrispy--you are quite insightful.

I was actually thinking of geehad's comment and trying to push for a more aggressive chaotic PP rather than the positioning of Williams, but it's interesting that Williams was in a different spot for the 6 on 5 sequences.

 

[My Special Purpose]

True--I just don't have any combinations that seem better on the PK. I thought Martinook/Foegele would dramatically improve the PK. Hasn't worked that way so far.

Any PK is going to give up high-quality chances. That's when you need your goalie to step up. It's a cliche that your goalie has to be your best penalty killer, but it's true. We don't have those type goalies. I think it makes sense that our PK struggles. If, on average, NHL teams have to ask their goalie to stop one shot per PK that probably should be a goal, our goalies are going to stop it fewer times than most others.

If we can see it from our armchairs why can't RBA see it from the bench?!

I'm convinced that Roddy sees everything. He's not going to wear blinders like BP. He knows it's not working and it bothers him. Even if he didn't see it, I'm sure Dundon would point it out. There's just only so much he can do this early in the season. If we're 10 games into the season and still under 10 percent on the PP, I'd expect some personnel changes made.

I honestly think it's a skill problem. That's why our PP sucks.

That's just a ridiculous take, no offense. We have enough skill to be the best team in the NHL at 5-on-5 goal differential, but not enough to score on a power play? Right now, we're more effective 5-on-5 than we are 5-on-4. That's not a skill deficiency. Sorry.

 

[SlavinAway]

I'm convinced that Roddy sees everything. He's not going to wear blinders like BP. He knows it's not working and it bothers him. Even if he didn't see it, I'm sure Dundon would point it out. There's just only so much he can do this early in the season. If we're 10 games into the season and still under 10 percent on the PP, I'd expect some personnel changes made.

I'm not sure it came across but my post was meant to be more tongue-in-cheek than an actual dig at RBA.

 

[Joe McGrath]

I don’t know what the answer is on the PP. the ideal is for Aho to be the trigger man but he also has to be the distributor so.....

 

[Tryamw]

Maybe it's a distinct lack of TVR (for our Tampa "fans" )

 

[bluedevil58]

Any PK is going to give up high-quality chances. That's when you need your goalie to step up. It's a cliche that your goalie has to be your best penalty killer, but it's true. We don't have those type goalies. I think it makes sense that our PK struggles. If, on average, NHL teams have to ask their goalie to stop one shot per PK that probably should be a goal, our goalies are going to stop it fewer times than most others.



I'm convinced that Roddy sees everything. He's not going to wear blinders like BP. He knows it's not working and it bothers him. Even if he didn't see it, I'm sure Dundon would point it out. There's just only so much he can do this early in the season. If we're 10 games into the season and still under 10 percent on the PP, I'd expect some personnel changes made.



That's just a ridiculous take, no offense. We have enough skill to be the best team in the NHL at 5-on-5 goal differential, but not enough to score on a power play? Right now, we're more effective 5-on-5 than we are 5-on-4. That's not a skill deficiency. Sorry.

Too small of a sample size to make that statement. I think it is lack of up front skill. TT and Aho are our only proven skilled guys as of right now.

 

[RodTheBawd]

That... contradict... it... sense... none... how?

 

[Roboturner913]

need more paint finishes

 

[NotOpie]

I may be in the minority, but I don't think Ferland is effective as a net front guy. He's got a pretty sweet shot, but I don't get the sense that he has the "in close" hands that a Zykov or Foegele has. Also, we ran some PP schemes where Aho was our net front guy and they worked pretty well. Apparently he did a bit of that in Liiga play.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

yes, aho can play anywhere and do anything

the problem is we can't have 5 ahos out there

 

[Tryamw]

This Power play needs fixing... Bring in Doctor Pol.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

I think Z is looking pretty good out there tonight on the PP.

Not nearly as good as Athanasiou would, of course.

 

[MinJaBen]

Well, so far I like the PK...

 

[Tryamw]

Well, so far I like the PK...

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