[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Goaltending certainly hasn't helped, but the PK has looked too complacent all year. It is never just one thing that is to blame, especially when you consider being the worst. It is neither the players, not the coaching but the execution doesn't seem to play towards our players' strengths.

Here are some things that bothered me during our PKs(soft goals allowed by the goalies excluded):

1. Standing up the blue line - for some reason our players let the opposing player into the zone and only then try to separate him from the puck, instead of playing the offside.
2. Getting the puck out of the zone along the boards - Often times our players go for the safe play of just unsuccessfully trying to get the puck out along the boards where there are two opposite players that try to keep it in. When that doesn't work they throw the puck to the open wing, where the other's team's defenseman has enough time and space to skate back into our zone and get the puck. Why does it seem so difficult? because of lack of puck support on the Flames' side.
3. Roughing up the man standing in front of the net - self explanatory, but I also miss the cross checks (that are used so effectively on our players every time they get a scoring chance in front of the net and end up falling onto the ice). Long story short, if someone made it to the front of the net I don't want to see them standing by the end of that effort.
4. Giving up too much time and space - The Flames seem to make half hearted attempts at pressuring the puck carrier. Also, often the Flames let someone set-up shop behind the net.
5. Preparing for losing a faceoff - The Flames are 40% on faceoffs on the PK. It makes sense because of the centers they use, but at least make sure you don't get scored on off the draw.
6. Winning the board battles in the corners - It probably has a lot to do with the lack of size on the Flames' end. However, it needs to improve because it is just too effective against the Flames. Trying to tie up the puck in the corner is also an option.
7. Blocking Shots - blocking shots is great, but not when you predictably end up going to your knees every time. Players started to simply fake shots in order to generate a 5 on 3 while our player is trying to get back to his feet. The result is a lot of dangerous scoring chances.

Yep, an excellent analysis. An analysis our coaches should have made and adjusted accordingly by game 64, if not a whole season ago. These are bad habits and systems that absolutely need to be changed. I really think you take a hard look at coaching options in the summer.