Yeah, our defense is pretty much the opposite of conservative. Although, they might not individually take the puck coast to coast like a PK Subban...they are all very mobile defenders and really good skaters as well as have above average speed.
Yeah, conservative might not be the right word, but I don't think we have anyone who plays the same style that a Subban or a Karlsson will, with an emphasis on carrying the puck. Our D make some really smart pinches 5-on-5, and have increasingly been taking some good hard shots into traffic. Both of those tactics have been quite effective at keeping pressure on and improving production from the point, but they burn you 3-on-3.
As a team, we're very good at recovering possession, but success in 3-on-3 is more about not giving possession up in the first place. When our forecheck fails 5-on-5, you've still got 3 guys who can get back and break it up in the NZ. When it fails 3-on-3, you've left one D out to dry.
I actually our system is probably more effective for playoff hockey, but we will continue to struggle in regular season OT.