Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
It's interesting you post that because I think what we're seeing is the RIM when it's not working effectively.
I believe the play is mostly about the winger along the boards directing the feed from the defender to the centre leaving the zone.
What the leafs' capitalized on big time was leaving the defender largely to their own devices and quickly enveloping the board-side winger, forcing them to either chip it over the blueline where the strong side leaf defender was waiting, or to make a low percentage play to the centre leaving the zone who is also quickly converged on by the strong side leaf defender and F2.
Part of the problem is the Flames centres lack speed to serve as an effective deterrent on an aggressive forecheck, but I think the biggest issue is missing wingers with the skill to counteract this board pressure. I think this is why you saw in the Leaf game Ferland having issues getting the puck out, but why you rarely see gaudreau having similar issues.
Same thing happened in the Columbus game.
I think it's a big reason why Jagr has been able to keep a strong +/- is that he is an incredibly effective player at doing either the blueline chip or the short pass to the emerging centre. When it goes up his side of the boards the Flames are rarely in trouble.
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Correct the RIM breakouts effectiveness is the ability for the receiving forward to either retrieve the puck and move it. Be it behind the defender as a chip. Take the pick himself, or as you mentioned direct it to the centre. Growing up and playing the system occasionally, my experience is the effectiveness lies with the forwards puck movement.
Agreed on the forechecking of the Flames. Which is why I'm puzzled with the choice of this use of the Rim system it also is known as a lazier breakout for the defenseman. Furthermore as your comment on the centre speed, that is def an issue for the Flames on the rim system as well. It's imperative for the centre to have speed for this sort of option. Being the centre is usually the one circling back or staying slightly behind for a breakout and the last to leave the zone for the forwards.