Anyhow this team is 30th in terms of 5 on 5 g/60 so the whole team can't score worth a damn 5 on 5. I also don't really expect that to change much until the coaching is satisfied with the teams defensive play and opt to open things up more in the ozone.
They are getting shut down in the ozone - teams are playing them tight and our offense struggles when they don't have much room - especially without Ehlers.
The Pen's played 3 periods of defensive hockey against us - and they are one of the highest scoring teams - why do you suppose they did that - and why are a lot of good teams doing the same thing when they meet the Jets?
It's hard to open it up when the apposing team is taking away all your space and time.
I'm not sure system changes will have much of an impact - it's not like we don't already of 5 guys playing offense out there but having a lot of trouble getting anything going once they run into the blueline.
We lack players that can skate through a trap - Ehlers was one (he'd beat you wide) and to an extent, so was Apples (who would bull his way through).
Teams will hone in on your weaknesses and work to minimize your strengths - we are weak on zone entries and strong when we have time to make plays.
Looks like Bones is trying to build a one line team with offense - he's stacked his top line and threw the rest together and called it a second. PLD spends a huge amount of time tangled up with other player(s), Wheels is hurry, hurry hard for about 10/15 seconds and then floats, and Perfetti is left without a target.
Man, this line needs a shooter who can find open ice -
The thirds is shut down and the 4th is now getting next to nothing in minutes.
IMO, Bones is playing defensive because he is getting shut down and is hoping to get enough goals out of his top line to win - while he waits for reinforcements. Based on the line make up with what we have, I don't see systems change doing much good - it's mainly a player issue and the holes from injuries are killing us.