Quote:
Originally Posted by stealthelephant
I still think this aggressive D approach is going to burn us for backbreaking goals, especially in the playoffs.
If our forwards could maintain an effective cycle and win battles on the boards for 60 minutes instead of playing half a game, our defense wouldn't have to full court press pinch.
I almost turned the game off when the Habs scored that 2 on 1. Plus whatever defender that was played it terrible. Laid out too early, and didn't break up the pass or take 1 man out.
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All systems have their pluses and minuses. Having activated and high pressure D will lead to some breaks the other way. However, as you'll note and Clement kept talking about the other night, we are also carrying a forward higher in the zone, which helps protect against odd man breaks to an extent.
It was Coburn on that 2-on-1 and the defense was atrocious. However, a forward (it was the 4th line at the time I'm pretty sure) screwed up on the play as well. Timonen had the puck tied up along the boards and two forwards came to help...and both stayed in front of him, rather than one sliding behind him to defend if the puck squirted out in that direction...it did, and off went the Habs on the odd-man break.
If we can get this all working it's going to put a ton of pressure on opponents as they try to get the puck out of their zone and through the neutral zone...that should result in turnovers and opportunities in the other direction, that will offset the breaks that will go the other direction. Most importantly, we have a D that should be capable of playing this style and making plays. Timonen and Coburn have more than enough skating wheels to cover a lot of ground (which this system requires), and Pronger is Pronger....Carle's strength is in playing an active role in the offensive zone.
It's going to take some time...the forwards are going to have to get used to where everyone is going, as well as the importance of them being responsible as the D comes down the wall to pressure the puck.