In ESPN's game story from yesterday they noted that the Isles have been tied or ahead in the third period in 20 of the team's 25 games this season. That is maddening.
Frustrating Stat
- Thread starter DarkHorse
- Start date
7:11 of OT
Not my trophies
A clear indication of lack of an experienced coach AND lack of experienced (and still capable) veteran presence on the ice.
Islanderfan17
Registered User
- Aug 24, 2010
- 5,858
- 13
This
Especially the coaching part IMO, Capuano has no idea how to keep his guys calm and collected. How can you when your coach has no idea what he is ever doing? Thank god we have Weight and Thompson or this team would be doomed.
7:11 of OT
Not my trophies
While this has been an issue under the parade of inexperienced coaches that has been the Isles for the last few years, this was not an issue under a few prior coached - Nolan, Lavy (to a lesser degree), etc.
Given a seasoned coaching staff (I love Weight - but he is still a first year assistant), the team would not look like chickens with no heads in the 3rd period, nor would they forget entirely about offense when they are ahead in the 3rd. Under Cappy, if there is a lead in the 3rd, the team playes 15-18 minutes in their own zone, or until they are no longer leading.
7:11 of OT
Not my trophies
Resign.
Just kidding - seriously though, Cappy needs to do a better job of keeping the team loose on the bench. You can see how he tightens up in the 3rd, and that very clearly translates to the players. You need to shorten your bench, play an aggressive game and be smart with when to use your timeout. You can't simply role all your lines or continue to put KO, Reasoner and Boyes on the ice - they are turnover machines.
For me, with a lead in the 3rd, I would consider changing up the lines a bit - something like:
Grabner - JT - Moulson (Grabs on the off wing)
Bailey - Nielson - Ullstrom
McDonald - Cizikas - Martin (best forechecking line on the team)
That is pretty much it to maintain offensive pressure or a solid forecheck and not constantly turn it over in the neutral zone (Boyes), make a poor clearing/transition attempt out of the D zone (Reasoner) or try to carry through 3 players (KO) instead of traditional dump and chase pressure.
Islanders1932
Registered User
I think ESPN might be wrong. According to the game notes for tonight the records are
Leading after 2 periods:6-1-1
Tie after 2 periods:4-4-0
So the total is 10-5-1 which is only 16 games.
What that shows me is that they've actually turned a corner in that they can hold a lead in the third way more often than they used to.
Link for game stats:http://islanders.nhl.com/v2/ext/GameNotes/GameNotes_031013_PIT.pdf
Page 4 has the stats above.
Leading after 2 periods:6-1-1
Tie after 2 periods:4-4-0
So the total is 10-5-1 which is only 16 games.
What that shows me is that they've actually turned a corner in that they can hold a lead in the third way more often than they used to.
Link for game stats:http://islanders.nhl.com/v2/ext/GameNotes/GameNotes_031013_PIT.pdf
Page 4 has the stats above.
If they played every third period like they did yesterday, no necessarily scoring as much but generating offense, the inability of holding leads wouldn't be even mentioned.
7:11 of OT
Not my trophies
Absolutely agree. If they could reduce time in D zone by generating strong D to O transitions and maintaining a solid forecheck preventing the other team from easily breaking out of their own zone, the issue would be eliminated.
bigtim1988
YES! YES! YES! YES!
I was saying yesterday that if hockey was a 2 period game, we'd be one of the best teams in the league. unfortunately that's not the case
Sparksrus3
NYI - THE TEAM WITH NO ❤️
- Jun 2, 2012
- 10,119
- 5,308
Maybe the other games they were trailing going to the 3rd then tied the game and or took he lead in the 3rd
I'm not sure if that ESPN stat is correct, espically when it comes to hockey, but those leading after 2 and tied after 2 stats don't take into account that we could have been down 2-1 going into the 3rd, and then tied or took the lead durring the final period, even if the game then resulted in a loss.
I misread the OP.However, the stats I posted still show an improvement imo because as we all know we blew a ton of games last year with a lead going into the third.
Resign.
Just kidding - seriously though, Cappy needs to do a better job of keeping the team loose on the bench. You can see how he tightens up in the 3rd, and that very clearly translates to the players. You need to shorten your bench, play an aggressive game and be smart with when to use your timeout. You can't simply role all your lines or continue to put KO, Reasoner and Boyes on the ice - they are turnover machines.
For me, with a lead in the 3rd, I would consider changing up the lines a bit - something like:
Grabner - JT - Moulson (Grabs on the off wing)
Bailey - Nielson - Ullstrom
McDonald - Cizikas - Martin (best forechecking line on the team)
That is pretty much it to maintain offensive pressure or a solid forecheck and not constantly turn it over in the neutral zone (Boyes), make a poor clearing/transition attempt out of the D zone (Reasoner) or try to carry through 3 players (KO) instead of traditional dump and chase pressure.
A couple other things I think could be done: First, seems after any goal is score he comes right back with either Reasoner or Frans' lines. I think you gotta come back with JT or Cizikas' lines. Also, you can't be sending Reasoner out on the PK. Even if he feels the need to play reasoner, stop with the PK late. Finally, when we have a Dzone draw late in the 3rd he should send out 2 centermen so a wing doesn't wind up taking the draw if the C gets kicked out of the circle
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