The underlying problem is still the overall team speed. Despite Treliving's efforts, this team still isn't fast enough which hampers their ability to play at a pace that Bill Peters wants them to play at. Watching 2 very fast teams like the Canadiens and the Rangers dominate us by just sheer skating ability and constant pressure was eye opening. We could do nothing to stop the constant hounding and back pressure.
It was akin to watching the Vegas Golden Knights have their way with us like last season. Once again this season, we look slow to get back into the play, slow on the backcheck which makes us slow to react and then slow to defend. It's probably a big reason as to why we have slow starts too.
The best thing about having a faster team to me is that if you're having a lazy game, you're still a fast team and won't be so easily outskated. If you're an opponent, having to play against a team that applies consistent back pressure, hounds you on the forecheck and makes shifts miserable for you. That sounds like the type of team I would want to build.
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