The 2013 POWERPLAY Thread

[TC82]

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/h...y-improvement-article-1.1242024#ixzz2IItkvB24

John Tortorella spent much of Thursday’s practice working with a first unit that included Rick Nash, who has scored at least 30 goals seven times, and a quintet that also featured Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan up front and Richards and Michael Del Zotto on the points.

 

[TC82]

That's pretty much the logical decision, unless you want to argue that Nash and Callahan are both maybe made for the same role on the PP so splitting them up could be a wise move. In that case I'd replace Cally with Stepan, but let's see what it amounts to first.

I'd just like to have a PP that doesn't have to rely on only "getting pucks to the net", looking for a rebound or hoping it bounces in off somebody.

 

[Kershaw]

I really think the PP will be a disaster again. Please no more Del Zotto-Richards, absolutely zero chemistry.

 

[Machinehead]

If Callahan, Nash, and Gaborik are up front who the hell is centering?

 

[TC82]

If Callahan, Nash, and Gaborik are up front who the hell is centering?

Richards will be taking the faceoffs and then moving to the point if they manage to keep the puck in. I'm thinking Callahan will probably line up as the 2nd "dman" in a faceoff situation.

 

[Ola]

If Callahan, Nash, and Gaborik are up front who the hell is centering?

This is how they set up:
--------------Gabby---------
------------net--------------
-----Cally------------------
------------------------Nash
-MdZ-----------------------
----------------BR----------

BR starts as center and moves back to the point on FOs I guess.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

I really think the PP will be a disaster again. Please no more Del Zotto-Richards, absolutely zero chemistry.

I don't know. I think the PP could work, if Torts tries to run a proper overload and really take advantage of Nash along the wall.

We still have a problem of a bomb from the point. But depending on the setup/players, you can work around that.

We will know soon enough.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

This is how they set up:
--------------Gabby---------
------------net--------------
-----Cally------------------
------------------------Nash
-MdZ-----------------------
----------------BR----------

BR starts as center and moves back to the point on FOs I guess.

That reminds me of the '94 Ranger PP. Lots of movement down low. The problem with it is if there is a turnover high, your completely screwed. That PP is going to run through Nash and BR. I wonder how Nash is as a playmaker.

I'm also curious how Gabby plays in the corner.

 

[Kilts79]

Who's Cally playing with 5 on 5?

 

[TC82]

That reminds me of the '94 Ranger PP. Lots of movement down low. The problem with it is if there is a turnover high, your completely screwed. That PP is going to run through Nash and BR. I wonder how Nash is as a playmaker.

I'm also curious how Gabby plays in the corner.

I think Gaborik might be an outsider in this setup. Richards and Del Zotto will move the puck from side-to-side, looking for Nash. Then somebody will shoot and hope Callahan or Nash deflects it in.

Or in the best scenario there's a lot of movement down low and in the end Gaborik ends up switching places with Nash and (Gabs) will shoot a mean wrist shot from the top of the circle.

But if last year (or any other post-Jagr & Nylander year) is any indication then they'll all just stand there, move the puck around and after 40 seconds of passing, Del Zotto will shoot a wrist shot from the point, close his eys and hope it doesn't get blocked so that Callahan can hack it in from the doorstep.

 

[TC82]

Who's Cally playing with 5 on 5?

Gaborik-Stepan-Callahan, it seems.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

I think Gaborik might be an outsider in this setup. Richards and Del Zotto will move the puck from side-to-side, looking for Nash. Then somebody will shoot and hope Callahan or Nash deflects it in.

Or in the best scenario there's a lot of movement down low and in the end Gaborik ends up switching places with Nash and (Gabs) will shoot a mean wrist shot from the top of the circle.

But if last year (or any other post-Jagr & Nylander year) is any indication then they'll all just stand there, move the puck around and after 40 seconds of passing, Del Zotto will shoot a wrist shot from the point, close his eys and hope it doesn't get blocked so that Callahan can hack it in from the doorstep.

Well Del Z doesn't do much point shooting in that set up. He does essentially three things in that set up:

a)Hold the puck in; usually sending it low to Gabs.

b)Look for Richards or Nash

c)sneak in from the far left side driving towards the net, with Nash setting him up, cross ice.

Del Z is mainly deception or support.

I agree though, I'm very curious as to how Gabs fits in. Seems his spot would be better suited for Kreider or Hagelin. Course, as you pointed out, could be a ton of option switching between Nash/Gabs.

 

[Ola]

I really think the PP will be a disaster again. Please no more Del Zotto-Richards, absolutely zero chemistry.

Maybe, but without any doubt, the problem was that Gabby couldn't figure out how a modern effective PP functions. The two three players who are able to pass the puck between them on the outside needs to have two options and then for the box to commit to one of those options so that the other becomes executeable. Gabby was stressed with the puck, made the wrong decisions or took shots in the wrong situation.

Due to MDZ and BR not having a third link to pass the puck to on the outside of the box -- it werent all that easy for them to pass between each other.

 

[Ola]

Well Del Z doesn't do much point shooting in that set up. He does essentially three things in that set up:

a)Hold the puck in; usually sending it low to Gabs.

b)Look for Richards or Nash

c)sneak in from the far left side driving towards the net, with Nash setting him up, cross ice.

Del Z is mainly deception or support.

I agree though, I'm very curious as to how Gabs fits in. Seems his spot would be better suited for Kreider or Hagelin. Course, as you pointed out, could be a ton of option switching between Nash/Gabs.

McD could play there too. Be less of a shooting option from a pass from BR but better at overloading on the net.

 

[Ola]

Can't wait for the first game and looking at our PP...

Key things are going to be;

* Puck Movememt
* Screening
* shooting..

Nothing flashy please...quick and tape to tape passes and one timers..

Good points all over.

I would try to get a super unit, that's the best. But unless it comes together perfectly we should be able to put together decent units that on paper should be able to accomplish your three points.

PP1
--------------Hagelin---------
------------net--------------
-----Cally------------------
---------------------Nash
-AS/McD-----------------
----------------BR----------
//You want BR shooting, Cally screening and Nash and McD to push hard to the net to slam home loose pucks. Bags to pick up rebounds and get them back to a shooter or to the net.

PP2
-----------------------------------
------------net------------------
-----Boyle------Kreider------
-----------------------------------
Stepan---------------Gabby
-------------MDZ--------------

//I'd go with Hags on the first behind the net just to keep the 1st line intact and you put Cally on there too + a D.

Stepan and MDZ works well together and you give Gabby a big role on the second unit. You get decent net prescense with Kreids and Boyle BTW...

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

Maybe, but without any doubt, the problem was that Gabby couldn't figure out how a modern effective PP functions. The two three players who are able to pass the puck between them on the outside needs to have two options and then for the box to commit to one of those options so that the other becomes executeable. Gabby was stressed with the puck, made the wrong decisions or took shots in the wrong situation.

Due to MDZ and BR not having a third link to pass the puck to on the outside of the box -- it werent all that easy for them to pass between each other.

That is a very good point, Gabby was essentially useless along the half wall. No instincts whatsoever.

The PP also suffers when Cally is forced to make decisions with the puck. You never want Cally playmaking on the PP. Not to mention , Dan G should never see PP time...ever...

 

[Ola]

My 5 on 3:
-------------------------------
---------------net-------------
Step--------Cally---Gabby-----
-------------------------------
------------------------Nash---
-------BR----------------------

5 on 3 should be extremely play book orientated. A 3 man PK can either have two guys on the net or at the point. No matter what option you choose, you give up the points or the net.

Stepan (RH) on the left side passes the puck to BR (LH) on the left point. Passes from deep in the zone too high up, so that they really force the 3-man PK to either commit to the net or the points.

If they put two guys infront of the net, BR and Nash steps in a bit and then has fire practise.

If they have two guys up high, Stepan looks for a pass through the crease almost to Gabby with Cally looking to help too.

That's impossible to defend against.

 

[TC82]

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/power_player_Ept1BJa7GKTeU7wZ7KgtXO

Richards was at the back yesterday with Michael Del Zotto across from him while Rick Nash, Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik formed the combination up front on the first unit. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi were on the points on the second unit with a forward line of Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin and Brian Boyle.

Not sure what to think of the 2nd PP unit, especially Staal and Girardi on the points. I would personally let maybe Stralman play instead of Girardi.

But hopefully the 1st unit gets the job done consistently so the 2nd one won't be needed as much.

 

[offdacrossbar]

mdz on the point is a disaster. hes slow. and his shot is not ideal for a pp pointman. hes a deft passer but thats not really a weapon, per sey.

prefer stralman in his place and his ability to hit the net with something low.

our lack of a shot from the point continues to hurt us. mdz is fine with another guy who can blast away, but as our lone dman on the pp. not so much.

plus, like i said, his ability to recover and get back with speed scares me. hes just such a lumbering skater.

just think stralman makes more sense.

 

[Ola]

mdz on the point is a disaster. hes slow. and his shot is not ideal for a pp pointman. hes a deft passer but thats not really a weapon, per sey.

prefer stralman in his place and his ability to hit the net with something low.

our lack of a shot from the point continues to hurt us. mdz is fine with another guy who can blast away, but as our lone dman on the pp. not so much.

plus, like i said, his ability to recover and get back with speed scares me. hes just such a lumbering skater.

just think stralman makes more sense.

Not sure that I agree, I think MDZ is just fine there. He was one of the better PP players three years ago now (he had by far the most PP time of all players that season). The unit we had with Prospal, Gabby and co (13th ranked overall). MDZ can move the puck laterally on the blueline and passing around the puck is to a big extent what the PP is about.

The problem for MDZ is that he is a left D, with all his moves coming from the left side, on a PP that we have tried to get to set up on the right side.

 

[offdacrossbar]

Not sure that I agree, I think MDZ is just fine there. He was one of the better PP players three years ago now (he had by far the most PP time of all players that season). The unit we had with Prospal, Gabby and co (13th ranked overall). MDZ can move the puck laterally on the blueline and passing around the puck is to a big extent what the PP is about.

The problem for MDZ is that he is a left D, with all his moves coming from the left side, on a PP that we have tried to get to set up on the right side.

fair enough. i agree, del zotto passes very well. but a guy at the pp point with a good hard accurate shot matters too. and i just dont think thats mdz's strong suit.

stralman has that hard righty shot and can shoot it off the pass with velocity on his shot.

he proved to me last season in the playoffs that hes a money player on the pp. thats where i would like to see him start the season.

 

[McDunna with Fries]

Girardi looked good at times during the PP in the playoffs last year. I also want McD to get his shot-- he has so much offensive potential.

 

[Thirty One]

I also want McD to get his shot-- he has so much offensive potential.

I really don't think he'll ever be a plus powerplay player. Just don't think his skills translate to the powerplay.

 

[Fitzy]

mdz on the point is a disaster. hes slow. and his shot is not ideal for a pp pointman. hes a deft passer but thats not really a weapon, per sey.

prefer stralman in his place and his ability to hit the net with something low.

our lack of a shot from the point continues to hurt us. mdz is fine with another guy who can blast away, but as our lone dman on the pp. not so much.

plus, like i said, his ability to recover and get back with speed scares me. hes just such a lumbering skater.

just think stralman makes more sense.

What do you know, he hit the nail right on the head.

Stralman never was given the same sort of flexibility and opportunities Del Zotto has. I suspect that their abilities on the power play are not that far apart. No one is concerned about a Del Zotto shot so they cheat on Richards. Provide some firepower from the opposite point and the ice will open.

 

[offdacrossbar]

that del zotto shot frequently is a weak wrister from the point. mikes slapper leaves alot to be desired. hardly a weapon that teams will fear. and yes, then they cheat off that weak del zotto point shot, almost daring him to let it fly, and the pp looks anemic.

so, given all that, i fully expect a healthy dose of mdz on the point.

remember, this is the same coach that fed us heaping portions of mike rozy as our pp point man for years