Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
I'm not sure a trigger man on the right side of a PP needs to be right handed. I get the importance in other aspects, especially D transition and for forwards entering a zone and protecting the puck, but for a one timer, a LH shot on the right side is not a bad thing.
http://www.nhlspecialteams.com/blog/...the-power-play |
I agree, but the replacing a rightie on the right flank with a leftie completely changes the structure of the powerplay. When you have two players on their strong side on the flanks (like Gaudreau and Versteeg) then your powerplay has to be about quick puck movement and opening up lanes (since it's much easier to move the puck on your strong side). When you are forced to shift to a strong side/weak side flank, then that weak side flank really has to be a one timer threat. Otherwise you are losing that quick puck movement ability without any real benefit.
This can easily be effective (although you'd like to see at least one other rightie on the unit somewhere), but to play the weak side flank on the powerplay you have to be a dangerous shooting option and Backlund just isn't. It doesn't help that Cameron clearly isn't capable of adjusting the powerplay from his ideal set-up.