Boruto
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- Jun 27, 2011
- 15,613
- 436
I'm not one for making predictions that doesn't involve superstitions and mentionings of black magic and live sacrifices, but I think the Stepan line that has Kreider and Nash to his sides will do very well. A lot better than KSZ.
KSZ line had no finish. Kreider was always the man down low left side spinning with puck, protecting it, throwing it to point man or letting Zucc cycle it behind the net some more. That line has been great but the goal production isn't there on most nights, even if they show.
Kreider can finish as well as anyone on this team other than Nash and maybe (at this point) Step who seems to make no mistake when he's in prime position with a wrister. Step though, is still a better playmaker than scorer. That's the beauty of a playmaker who has offensive instincts, knows where to be, and can finish.
KSZ was sort of a defanged wolf. It's still got some claws to injure but lacks the fangs to kill. Zucc is 75/25 a playmaker over scorer, step is 60/40 a playmaker though more talent than Zucc. Kreider needs to be our 80/20 finisher guy. On the KSZ line, There was a lot of possession but a definite lack of full control with the puck to make plays. Good defensemen won't let Zucc dance around and make that centering pass. Likewise, Step won't find an opening as easily and Most of the possession is kept to the outside.
Step and Nash has always been our best offense duo. That was the worry and hope during the Stepan hold out and I think it's been forgotten. Hagelin has speed that helps but Kreider going down the wing actually puts the fear in defensemen where as Hagelin just makes defensemen skate back harder. With finish, Kreider and Nash centered by Step will be great. It'll be great for Kreider to learn from Nash and his puck control, and movement using body while puck controlling to get to the center of the ice (instead of along the boards where he's been for the last dozen games).
KSZ line had no finish. Kreider was always the man down low left side spinning with puck, protecting it, throwing it to point man or letting Zucc cycle it behind the net some more. That line has been great but the goal production isn't there on most nights, even if they show.
Kreider can finish as well as anyone on this team other than Nash and maybe (at this point) Step who seems to make no mistake when he's in prime position with a wrister. Step though, is still a better playmaker than scorer. That's the beauty of a playmaker who has offensive instincts, knows where to be, and can finish.
KSZ was sort of a defanged wolf. It's still got some claws to injure but lacks the fangs to kill. Zucc is 75/25 a playmaker over scorer, step is 60/40 a playmaker though more talent than Zucc. Kreider needs to be our 80/20 finisher guy. On the KSZ line, There was a lot of possession but a definite lack of full control with the puck to make plays. Good defensemen won't let Zucc dance around and make that centering pass. Likewise, Step won't find an opening as easily and Most of the possession is kept to the outside.
Step and Nash has always been our best offense duo. That was the worry and hope during the Stepan hold out and I think it's been forgotten. Hagelin has speed that helps but Kreider going down the wing actually puts the fear in defensemen where as Hagelin just makes defensemen skate back harder. With finish, Kreider and Nash centered by Step will be great. It'll be great for Kreider to learn from Nash and his puck control, and movement using body while puck controlling to get to the center of the ice (instead of along the boards where he's been for the last dozen games).
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