Yep, the Moose run the same breakout "system" and have done for a while now -- and they haven't always had good D running it. I do think it's by design (not how badly they execute it, of course) not least because it mimics how they look to work the puck in and then back to the D in the OZ, with similarly mediocre results. The common denominator, IMO, is the attempt to minimize risk by avoiding the dreaded possibility of a cutoff in open ice -- while not really acknowledging the greater risk of giving up possession tine and tine again, where the opposing team can do what they want and where they want. Also, focusing on M2M means that the players you'd want to have control of the puck for a safe exit aren't always with or even near it.
It becomes a chain of futility, as poster have pointed out, it's exhausting and sacrifices a meaningful rush for a quick chip or holdup before heading to the bench, while the D run long shifts -- IIRC, Forbort was on for more than 2 mins in a single shift at one point yesterday, or roughly 1/6 of the total DD played in the whole damn game -- I am beginning to feel that PoMo just doesn't get or like DeMelo, because there is no way you aren't double-shifting one of your best D when he's playing minutes that scanty and you're chasing it in the 3rd, but I don't remember him playing at all down the stretch.
