Fixing The Power Play...

[ThrowDemTongs]

it's been 3 games

Nah it's been longer than that

 

[Gary Nylund]

do you remember the regular season, which we're in right now?

I remember it all, but I think you're missing my point. No worries, if you don't think our PP is a concern that's fine, you be happy.

 

[leafsfan5]

Our puck movement is too perimeter focused and doesn't stretch out the D, which makes us easy to defend. Its not about talent or weapons, we have those, it's the mentality and pace

The perimeter hockey is a major issue, we need guys willing to play the bumper but our stars want to dangle around the outside

Washington had a great structure, but that's because they had an elite bumper player (Oshie) who would force defenses to worry about him opening up space for Ovi/Carlson/Kuznetsov

Tampa had a great structure, but they also have an elite bumper player (Point) who forces defenses to worry about him opening up space for Kucherov/Hedman/Stamkos

We don't have an elite bumper talent, JT goes for tips and that's about it

 

[Gallagbi]

The perimeter hockey is a major issue, we need guys willing to play the bumper but our stars want to dangle around the outside

Washington had a great structure, but that's because they had an elite bumper player (Oshie) who would force defenses to worry about him opening up space for Ovi/Carlson/Kuznetsov

Tampa had a great structure, but they also have an elite bumper player (Point) who forces defenses to worry about him opening up space for Kucherov/Hedman/Stamkos

We don't have an elite bumper talent, JT goes for tips and that's about it

They don't use Tavares as much of a bumper anymore (which they should) and they tend to go high low more than east west. One big thing with a strong bumper is their touches are quick and minimal, which JT can handle.

But typically we have a few guys over handling pucks on the outside instead of quick movement to open things up. They just play too slow

 

[ACC1224]

What are we noticing are the differences that Savard has brought this year?

They don't use Tavares as much of a bumper anymore (which they should) and they tend to go high low more than east west. One big thing with a strong bumper is their touches are quick and minimal, which JT can handle.

But typically we have a few guys over handling pucks on the outside instead of quick movement to open things up. They just play too slow

“Too slow” compared to some others has always been the most noticeable difference for me.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

PP1

Knies
Nylander - Domi - Matthews
OEL

PP2

Tavares
Marner - Robertson/Patches - Matthews
Rielly​

 

[Community]

I'm going to let you guys in on a secret. Anytime we had difficulties and replaced Rielly on the point, the issues remained. In the past, our issues have typically stemmed from:
- Difficulty entering the zone due to the same 2-option set play 99% of the time.
- not being direct and staying to the outside. Especially when the PP was slumping.

Neither of these have to do with our point option.

I'm totally okay with OEL replacing Rielly, but the powerplay strategy needs to be addressed amongst our star forwards for this to turn around.

 

[colchar]

I mean if you watched the last powerplay, you have 4 guys (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, OEL) basically begging to be on the outside and have the puck on their stick

You cannot have everyone crowded on the outside playing cute hockey. They should split the stars up and run them 1 minute each. Get guys who will compliment the stars by sitting in the bumper and near the net

Um, you know OEL is a defenceman right? It isn't his job to go to the middle or the front of the net.

Yep looked immediately better. Marner is becoming a problem as well, they keep running it through him but Willy is a better zone entry option and he's also not a threat to shoot ever and all he does is defer it to Matthews and Willy. If he was at least setting them up for one timers I wouldn't mind him so much but he's not even doing that, he'll just go in a circle before doing a short pass off or force a pass that gets deflected or intercepted. For someone who was praised so much for his creativity and vision I sure as f*** haven't seen that on the PP for quite some time now.

Replace Marner with Domi.

 

[colchar]

I don't think you need to fix it yet, it came REALLY close to breaking through last night

Sweet Jebus, I can't believe you actually said that. They don't get points for coming close do they? Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

PP1

Knies
Nylander - Domi - Matthews
OEL

PP2

Tavares
Marner - Robertson/Patches - Matthews
Rielly​

This would be what I’d try.

We need to learn how to PP with a legit slap shot on the point.

JT might be a better choice than Knies for PP1 against certain teams.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Sweet Jebus, I can't believe you actually said that. They don't get points for coming close do they? Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

If they don't break through against LA then you fix it but they came close enough that I'm confident that assuming they get PP chances on Wednesday the dam bursts on Wednesday.

Especially with LA not having Doughty

 

[HamiltonNHL]

I'm going to let you guys in on a secret. Anytime we had difficulties and replaced Rielly on the point, the issues remained.

OEL is the the change

Sweet Jebus, I can't believe you actually said that. They don't get points for coming close do they? Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

They had a lot of zone time.

Of course that was against the slow Penguins.

 

[Gabriel426]

It is very hard for the same 5 PP players to change how they play on the PP just bc there is a new coach as they had been together for 6 yrs and over 1000 PP mins.

Switching out anyone of them and inserting a new player on the PP will change the outlook due to the different style the new player brings plus hopefully the adjustments made by other players.

To me Reilly needs to go as he just doesn’t like to shoot the puck on PP.

JT is another that needs to go as he often don’t screen the goalie but rather stand on the side of the goalie looking for redirect.

Put OEL and Knies and the PP would be much better as long as AM, MM and Willie begin moving the pucks quicker instead of holding it and then passing it like years past.

 

[robertmac43]

Mix it up. If you need to, play AM34 for the full 2 minutes and have 8 people cycle around him.

 

[leafsfan5]

Um, you know OEL is a defenceman right? It isn't his job to go to the middle or the front of the net.




Replace Marner with Domi.

I know, but the issue becomes we have 4 guys on the perimeter. They all have valid reasons to be on the outside, but together it's redundant

 

[Larcos_Unal]

it's been 3 games

PP has been garbage since January of last season. They started hot and gradually fell in the standings.
By the time the playoffs rolled around it was a disaster....they still haven't addressed it.

 

[notDatsyuk]

The reason people say replace JT on it is because they hate JT.

Thing is when he was replaced with Pacioretty, as much as I've liked Pacioretty holy shit did that not work.

One of the reasons you have JT on the PP is because you need to win faceoffs and having both Matthews and JT on the PP gives you a better chance of winning the faceoff.

If you wanted to replace Rielly with OEL that's a change I'd look at but I'd want the 2 centers on the ice for faceoff purposes.

The truth is the real reason the PP is "struggling" and It's been 3 games so I use that term VERY loosely is because Matthews isn't scoring, the two go hand in hand.

I'm WAY more concerned about the PK, and I'm not even overly concerned about that because again It's been 3 games.

But they have given up 3 PP goals, IF there is an area of concern after 3 games that would be it
because the 3 PP goals they have given up represent 60% of the goals they have given up.

But again It's 3 games there are no real concerning stats yet.

The reason people want JT replaced has nothing to do with 'hating' him.

He is very good on the faceoffs, but he doesn't screen the goalie, and loses the puck too often.

 

[tmlms13]

Pitt this tried the old 2 D, with EK KL didn't seem awful.

Remember the Leetch McCabe?

Maybe MR OEL AM, MM, JT.....Willie can QB the number 2 unit

 

[notDatsyuk]

Pitt this tried the old 2 D, with EK KL didn't seem awful.

Remember the Leetch McCabe?

Maybe MR OEL AM, MM, JT.....Willie can QB the number 2 unit

Makes sense - if the PP is struggling remove the player who led the team in PP assists and points last year.

 

[tmlms13]

Makes sense - if the PP is struggling remove the player who led the team in PP assists and points last year.

The point was a 2 D powerplay

Other than AM other two spots on unit 1 can rotate

Putting Willie on unit 2 might be better anyways they'd actually be a threat instead of a dead 30 seconds

 

[IPS]

OEL, Knies, Matthews, Nylander, Marner sounds like a super awesome unit. Really hope we get to see it soon.

 

[notDatsyuk]

The point was a 2 D powerplay

Other than AM other two spots on unit 1 can rotate

Putting Willie on unit 2 might be better anyways they'd actually be a threat instead of a dead 30 seconds

Part of the difference is that Pittsburgh has two good D for the PP. Removing Willy just to keep Mo there seems counter-productive.

But I seem to recall when Willy was put of PP2 because of ROR that unit actually looked better the the top one, so you may have a point.

 

[frizzer1]

Nylander left side onetimer.
Matthews right side onetimer.
Knies net front.
Oel left point.
Marner right point.
Tavares could be used for faceoffs and then pulled, but they may not want to embarrass him.
Second option… Nylander right side and matthews curls in from left side with that wrister.