We should be all about correcting obvious systems related mistakes/issues in order to be as set for the playoffs as possible.
Aggressive forecheck. For the third year running, I am on board the Cole Train as regards our forecheck. There was no reason to get away from the 2-3, and against Boston they showed us (and more importantly themselves) what it can do once again. I understand that it is a draining system to pull off for a full season, but you can't just start trying it in the playoffs, because it takes a lot of coordination to have the D and forwards stay coherent while pressuring like that, and we don't want to be open like a sieve to anyone with a half decent breakout.
Breakout variations. Additionally, as was also pointed out by MontrealPensFan yesterday in this context, after the stretch pass/break out was getting soaked up by Boston in the first period, we went back to having C's coming back for the puck or having our well skating D-men bring it up - in both cases WITH SUPPORT and to great effect.
Stretch passes were utilized still of course, but with much more purpose; ie. when there was actually an open forward to hit with it, or when there was no other outlet available.
This is what I have been screaming for in more than half the post game threads this year. Because variation is key and more so this is utilizing the best assets we have which is our puck carrying D and C's. No one would be liberated more with that strategy than Geno, and I cannot wait to see him back healthy with Neal and Beau.
Penalty Kill. Then, what absolutely must happen is tinkering with the PK. We were never good at clearing the crease, but it seemed like at some point last season we completely stopped, because a few long range shots went past Fleury as he was getting screened by our own defenders. Annoying as that is, you cannot just give up the crease! Its the classic case of dealing with a sore thumb by cutting off the hand.
People here can ***** about Orpik (and all the other PK'ing D-men if they were fair) leaving people alone in front, but it is BY DESIGN. It is a system problem.
I also dislike the lack of aggression on the PK as regards the forwards, but some of that is also because Adams and Glass (and now Cooke) don't have the foot speed. Other than Dupuis and Sutter, we don't seem dangerous at all going the other way.
Protect the net. The well worked 0-2 goal from Seguin was another picture perfect example of how opponents for more than a year have profited from both our D-men chasing behind our net simultaneously. Either we get that to work by having the forwards actually take up their men going to the net, or we become more cautious and make sure that one D-man will guard the front of the net, when opponents are pinning us in our own zone. I prefer the latter, because we don't have a Phoenix group of forwards where everyone thinks defense first.
These are the most important things for Bylsma to keep working on, and if he can please play Despres with Letang for at least three games straight - full time - then I think we also have our top4 D settled ES. But compared to the systems related issues, that is a detail.
. It's just destiny.
