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Old 10-26-2016, 09:44 AM   #173
Shazam
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Looks like the players aren't actually dummies and are starting to figure "The System (tm)" out.

Short breakout passes from the hash marks out, sometimes even within the defensive zone. Move as a five man unit.

Line changes are also quite different than the Hartley era. Even on an offensive rush a forward can change out.

Saw basically zero stretch passes the last two games. I noticed especially Gio and Wideman still kept trying to do them in previous games. Forwards were not expecting them and so didn't have enough speed to carry the play (In one previous game, I saw a one stretch pass to a forward that was going for a line change. Nice read...)

PK is now very aggressive, with a default diamond formation, but each player has responsibility for a large portion of the ice and so must be able to move quickly to pressure points (corners, etc). Unlike other teams they still don't seem to want to outnumber the puck carrier along the boards - I think the coaching staff feels the PKers are too slow to move back if they can't pressure the carrier off the puck.

These things are in stark contrast with the Hartley system. Offensive rushes kept players out on the ice for extended periods even if they were gassed. Defensive breakouts were non-existent. PK was very very passive.

Also it helps that both new goalies seem to want to smother the puck rather than let out rebounds. Not sure if that's the coaching staff or the goalies making that decision.
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