We are too soft for the western conference, and for the Pacific division. We simply have too many players that are nice guys on and off the ice. It comes into play in:
1. Our players not taking an extra poke at a goalie who has a puck.
2. The opposition players players not paying the price when they stand in front of our net. If someone made it to the front of your net with the puck, they shouldn't be standing after the attempt.
3. The team doesn't have a pack mentality after the whistle. In the offensive zone the defenseman simply skate away, so it becomes a 3 on 5 for our forwards. Also most of our players will prefer to hold onto someone instead of dropping the gloves, or trying to rough someone up.
As a result, it becomes increasingly tougher for our players to stand up for themselves, because their teammates don't have their back after the whistle. It also makes the work easier for the opposition goalies and harder for ours. However, our goalies are now better protected(especially thanks to Engelland) in comparison to Kipper's last few seasons here.
How would I improve it? It starts with a team mentality and the captain. I want to see Gio more engaged, skating towards the opposition net after the whistle to set an example. It is not a matter of just changing role players(we have those), but of improved leadership and sticking up for eachother no matter what.
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