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Old 12-15-2017, 09:03 AM   #269
Bingo
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When a player skates the puck up the wall towards the blueline he creates break downs because people have to shuffle into new assignments because he's occupying space. The left defenseman has to either a) drop out of the zone altogether or b) move to the inside high so he literally isn't in Gaudreau's way.

In this case the Flames played it smart as the defense pair backed out and avoided getting stuck, but with Gaudreau coming up the wall he turned himself into F3, meaning Jankowski had to switch into F2 and there was no high guy to avoid the three on two.

Additionally, Smith has his second of the game slide through his legs.

Creative players are given rope and I'm good with that, but they had better make damn sure they don't turn the puck over there as it's a grey zone turnover which is murder in hockey.

This play was further complicated by the fact that he was hauled down and didn't actually turn the puck over. With that it's more of a referee issue than a Gaudreau issue, but he did put the game in the hands of the official by extending himself into a dangerous spot.
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