In the playoffs I'd really like to see Nodl on a line with Betts and Powe, and let Z play with Richards and Versteeg. That would give 3 potent lines and a 4th very capable of a regular shift. But I don't think we'll see both CarBomb and Shelly out of the lineup until then.
great win. zone entry on the powerplay and in general has looked really good lately. lavi's doing a fantastic job adjusting this season. versteeg looked a bit uncomfortable but performed well nonetheless...still not sure how i feel about nodl as the third guy on that line, though he did have a few solid chances.
That was probably the best game I have ever seen Coburn play, which means I fully expect him to score on his own net, take 2 lazy penalties and fall over for no reason a bunch tonight.
Well, dump and chase could kill the 1-3-1 if done correctly. Not to mention, their defense is pretty terrible.
Not necessarily, the one guy is back almost at the crease. As Bill Clement said the best way to counter it is to get a lead, and sit back there like they did last night.
Mean, Physical Coburn
JVR was in beast mode, leave him with Carter/Roo and hope he keeps it up.
Betts and Powe had strong games
Boosh was good
I thought Steeg got better as the game went on and his forecheck was very good. Entering zone was a little off, but that will get better once he gets comfortable.
The Bad :
Thought this was Briere's worst game in a long time. Leino was not good, mez and Odonnel were real bad to start, but got better as game went on.
Downie is such a little ****, I wish angry Coburn would of got the little puke to drop them and pound the **** out of him.
...And so Richards elbows him in the head for it? Maybe Stamkos dove or maybe he didn't, but let's not act like Richards is all innocent here.
Well, basically everyone in our GDT said Richards deserved the additional minor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Woof
What I love about this team right now is that the Briere line is set and Giroux/Carter are also set. Both JvR and Zherdev played well with them so it's time to get the right combo with Richie. I would prefer Zherdev with Carter and Roo and then move JvR to Richie's line with Versteeg and just leave them there so they all get used to each other.
I wonder how Versteeg's fitness compares to the others. He didn't play a ton in Toronto recently and we all remember what the Flyers were like pre-Lavi. He has to learn a new system and probably get in a bit better shape so I say let him stay on Richie's line and keep those lines set.
Pretty sure Richards/Versteeg is set, too. It's either gonna be JVR/Richie/Steeger or Nodl/Richie/Steeger, depending on what Laviolette plans to do with Mr. Zherdev.
Not necessarily, the one guy is back almost at the crease. As Bill Clement said the best way to counter it is to get a lead, and sit back there like they did last night.
I liked Lavi's approach. Set up two forechecking forwards at center ice, start a puck carrier from the D zone, and then have the other forwards block 2 of the 3 guys at the opposing blue line, puck carrier only needs to get by one more guy before the whole team suddenly has the zone and can start cycling. Difficult to execute, but it should work every time until the opposition stops friggin trapping.
The Lightning have given up more goals that any of the other top 8 teams in either conference, so it's not like it's a magical defensive tactic. It looks better now that Roloson can stop some chances when teams do start cycling, but once we had the zone it was obvious that Tampa's D is not that good. Guys like Bergeron and Kubina are offensively gifted and this trap hides their defensive shortcomings and useless bums like Randy Jones well... for a while.
Last edited by might2mash: 02-16-2011 at 10:52 AM.
I liked Lavi's approach. Set up two forechecking forwards at center ice, start a puck carrier from the D zone, and then have the other forwards block 2 of the 3 guys at the opposing blue line, puck carrier only needs to get by one more guy before the whole team suddenly has the zone and can start cycling. Difficult to execute, but it should work every time until the opposition stops friggin trapping.
I was curious how some interference penalties weren't called on us, though.
I was curious how some interference penalties weren't called on us, though.
Because you're allowed to skate anywhere on the ice. As long as you aren't decking guys, you can skate right up to them, stop there, and thus prevent them from skating past you. There was a video on CrossingBroad of one such play, where you can see Nodl legally just get in the way of Lecavalier. Of course on this play Richie does some dangling, but the basic idea is there. (There also was a lot uncalled on both sides last night. Probably in our favor since their PP has been far superior.)
That was probably the best game I have ever seen Coburn play, which means I fully expect him to score on his own net, take 2 lazy penalties and fall over for no reason a bunch tonight.
Prove me wrong Braydon!
I was hoping he would go with Downie last night. Coburn needs to play like that. he needs to play mean and play with an edge. When hes passive and not playing with an edge hes not that good.
Don't know about anybody else but I just don't want to run into Tampa in the playoffs..even shorthanded with injuries they gave us fits. That stifling system reminds me of the years against the Devils. In a series with Tampa Boosh or Bob would have to be the difference....
As far as Boston..they are also solidifying themselves...now with Kaberle possibly ..not going to be a cake walk this year.
I liked Lavi's approach. Set up two forechecking forwards at center ice, start a puck carrier from the D zone, and then have the other forwards block 2 of the 3 guys at the opposing blue line, puck carrier only needs to get by one more guy before the whole team suddenly has the zone and can start cycling. Difficult to execute, but it should work every time until the opposition stops friggin trapping.
The Lightning have given up more goals that any of the other top 8 teams in either conference, so it's not like it's a magical defensive tactic. It looks better now that Roloson can stop some chances when teams do start cycling, but once we had the zone it was obvious that Tampa's D is not that good. Guys like Bergeron and Kubina are offensively gifted and this trap hides their defensive shortcomings and useless bums like Randy Jones well... for a while.
On the Lightning feed, the PBP guys commented on the Flyers using misdirection puck movement to counter the 1-3-1 set-up, and discussed in the first-intermission interview with one of the assistant Lightning coaches.
As well, the ice looked very slow and the puck was jumping all over the place. It really seemed to handcuff Versteeg on his SO attempt.
Don't know about anybody else but I just don't want to run into Tampa in the playoffs..even shorthanded with injuries they gave us fits. That stifling system reminds me of the years against the Devils. In a series with Tampa Boosh or Bob would have to be the difference....
As far as Boston..they are also solidifying themselves...now with Kaberle possibly ..not going to be a cake walk this year.
Bruins >>>>>> bolts for me in playoffs. That 1-3-1 is going to get exposed in the playoffs. I think Bolts go to OT more than any team to, that is a risky recipe in the big dance!
Is it just me or did Versteeg look like he was a kid in a candy shop last night? I get that he's probably happy to be here, but everytime they showed him on the bench he had a big doofus grin the whole time. It got to a point where I just started laughing uncontrollably every time they showed him.
Versteeg definitely looked really nervous to me but that's understandable. Everytime he had the puck, he seemed to hesitate for a second too long. He'll fit in fine though I think.
I like how Laviolette sent him out on the shootout. If he scored, that would have skyrocketed his confidence.
From what I've read from Leafs fans, Versteeg is pretty goofy. I think he's on a serious high right now. When he left he made a comment that the only thing he'd miss about his time here was the guys in the room. Nothing about the fans, the city etc. So for him it's Christmas.
