Ongoing Powerplay Discussion
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piqued
nos merentur hoc
- Nov 22, 2006
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Ruff's comments on the PP in Heika's latest post are very frustrating. I don't really see any self-awareness, he seems content to blame puck luck, pat the PP on the back and say 'You'll get 'em next time'. No mention of personnel, no mention of sets. The closest he comes to identifying the problem is when he talks about the need for wrist shots that get to the net.
Elysian
Emo Stars Fan
Wonder how long Ruff has before he's on the hotseat. I know probably not until next year, but that scares me. We're stuck with Fraser as long as Ruff is still the coach.
Stars99Lobo37
Registered User
Dallas finishes the month of January....3 for 31 at home on the powerplay. Including 1 for 18 in last 3 home games.
Stars99Lobo37
Registered User
ok
we know it sucks
what would you do to fix it?
(not directed at anyone, just wanted to hear ideas)
we know it sucks
what would you do to fix it?
(not directed at anyone, just wanted to hear ideas)
OttMorrow
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2003
- 3,721
- 1
They don't move the puck back and forth fast enough and accurately enough to get the defense out of shooting lanes and the goalie moving laterally. They look like they are trying to be too cerebral out there without the aggression and sense of urgency. Putting a body in front of the net to screen the goalie, tip point shots, and cleanup rebounds is an absolute must...and we don't do it. Ritchie is going to help with this if they use him correctly. Dirty goals...gotta have them.
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It's not rocket science. You can emulate more successful powerplays, and at least have something to use as a foundation.
The guy in the high slot is standing about 5-8 feet too far from the net. This one is extremely basic and could make a huge difference immediately. Right now, that guy is attempting to occupy the space between the defending forwards and dmen. He's there for the quick "shovel pass" from the point man, which seems to be a feature of the stars' powerplay recently. It looks pretty, but it's completely useless. In that position, the player is too far from the net to set a screen, but too close to deflect shots. He's also not in the right position for the high tip or one timer, both of which can be successful (think what Loui used to do on the powerplay, or what Stamkos/Kucherov do now).
They need to practice getting shots through from the point. Right now they either don't even attempt to shoot or they blast it right into the defender's shinpads. That takes away a major weapon and allows the defense to focus on the sideboards and defending the slot.
They should try to use the area behind the net to slow the game down and get the defenders facing the net, making the possibility for someone to "sneak" into a one-timer position. Right now, they use behind the net as a tool to work the puck from one side of the ice to the other. You'll see the skill guys skate all the way around the net without looking to stop and set up, and you'll see the grinder types put the puck against the boards and fight for it. Again, looks pretty because it helps us possess the puck, but rarely leads to scoring chances when the defense can't turn the resulting rim passes into huge slapshots. Instead, the distributors, guys like Spezza and Hemsky, should be stopping behind the net, daring the defenders to come behind the net and leave the low winger open to skate in for a one-timer.
The stars have gotten a bit quicker with the puck. They've incorporated some new ideas into the powerplay, and they've learned to make decisions a bit faster. While that has made the powerplay itself look much prettier, it hasn't resulted in increased production because they aren't going to the bread-and-butter plays that successful teams use to capitalize on the man advantage. That's why I still believe it's a coaching issue, not a personnel one.
glovesave_35
Name
This thing has lacked quick, crisp, smart puck movement since Zubov went down and Modano lost a step. That is especially important on the point and it's why your best PP playmaker can't be a forward on the half wall unless you have some damn good shooters on the point for them to feed. Stagnant PP's that rely on goals from one or two players from one or two spots don't work consistently because the opposition keys in on those areas and players. Seguin isn't going to be open much for those 8 foot side of the goal blasts if the PK doesn't respect shots or puck movement from the point.
You're right on the money as far as the issues that the Stars have been trying to correct through coaching recently, I just don't believe it's the correct coaching.
It seems like the players are afraid to make mistakes. No one wants to be the guy who makes the bad play, so instead, they're just holding onto the puck and making the easy play when it appears. They're passing to death. I see it in Klingberg, especially. He has a very underrated shot with plenty of power, and I believe he knows where to place it, but he's been thrown out there as the PP2QB, and he keeps wanting to defer to others instead of using his shot. He doesn't want to be the rookie who made the "rookie mistake."
He shouldn't be the guy running the point from the slot. He should be off to the side, opening up for the one-timer or stepping in off the boards to wrist it with Cole or Ritchie planted firmly in front of the crease.
Look at Hamilton's dagger last night. He has a shot and he was going to use it the whole way, but Kari still had no chance because there was a bruin's rear end directly in his face.
The guys have skill, but they lack confidence. They need a coach who can give them confidence with a strategy that can create high-percentage plays. Every time Seguin misses the net from the left circle, you can see the frustration build...so create a play to get him some shots from the high slot. Let him get his comfort back, and let all the players use their natural skill to create.
Ruff discussing the powerplay:
http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/201...uff-talks-power-play-and-john-klingberg.html/
On Klingberg:
http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/201...uff-talks-power-play-and-john-klingberg.html/
On Klingberg:
"It’s knowing that sometimes the young guys, their one mistake is noticed more than the old guy’s one mistake."
Why is he talking about himself in third person?
Why is he talking about himself in third person?
oconnor9sean
Registered User
I think our PP is really missing Nichushkin. He was a legitimate one time threat as a lefty. Aside from Benn, I don't think we have anyone like that without him.
Teams have been keying in on stopping the one timers to Seguin/Spezza's side, and so without Val or any one time threat on the right side of the ice, our PP continues to be one-dimensional.
Teams have been keying in on stopping the one timers to Seguin/Spezza's side, and so without Val or any one time threat on the right side of the ice, our PP continues to be one-dimensional.
Mr Misty
The Irons Are Back!
- Feb 20, 2012
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I don't remember him being on the first unit at all, and I don't remember being impressed by his shot either.
Stars99Lobo37
Registered User
TrillMike
Registered User
