A little late now but this would be my way of beating the trap. They should use the flip/lob option that they were trying during the year to create chaos/wreak havoc with their D. The D man flips the puck high up and lands it near their D. The forwards get a skating start and destroy the Dmen as they fumble around with puck. This strategy should be used especially in the first couple of games to wear down the opponent. Dress 2 lines of bangers and let them loose.
I know it sounds simple and stupid but if you don't have the skill players to break the trap then you have to try something different or else we get this unwatchable quagmire that we have been witnessing.
Well put!
Unfortunately since the league abandoned its post-lockout standard for obstruction after all the concussions, even skill doesn't guarantee beating the trap.
I admit to coming from a standpoint of having sour grapes with how this series has transpired, so my suggestions are a tad salty. But here goes.
Flop.
Since you can neither pass nor skate through the 1-3-1, get a head of steam, dump it in the corner, and when the defender bumps, fall over and writhe like you've 'Just been shot,' as Jack Edwards would say.
I know, the B's would either not get the call or get a matching embellishment.
My other suggestion is in the Peter Laviolette style of mocking the trap (and admittedly not realistic). Only instead of of sitting on the puck, I'd approach it like a football kickoff. Drop all 5 skaters back, let them get a massive running start, then dump it in. The defenders being mostly flat-footed, would either lose the race or sustain serious bodily contact.
Sure it would look foolish, and Boucher showed Laviolette you aren't going to embarrass him out of playing the trap.
But at least it might be mildly entertaining.