Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
I am happy he got rewarded offensively last week - because IMO it was on the back of a much improved defensive game and commitment to 200 ft play.
He had a pretty bad stretch there for a couple games where he seemed kind of lost in his 200ft game, and in the defensive zone. It was so bad that I actually think the questions around his ability to be a top line center on a great team was fairly being questioned.
But along with Gaudreau I feel like they have both really committed to playing a strong 200ft game after the loss against Pittsburgh and they have been rewarded in the offensive zone with that extra effort as well.
Really hope they keep up the focus on their 200ft game because the harder they work away from the puck, the more they will have the puck, and right now that line is deadly when they have the puck.
Just a proxy - in the 11 games up to the Penguins debacle Monahan/Gaudreau had been averaging 13 HDCF per 60 minutes and 19 HDCA - and had been on the ice for at least 1 goal against per game on average.
In the five game since that game they have been able to generate more offensive chances (up to 17 HDCF per 60), and have cleaned up their defensive zone play (HDCA down to 12).
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I'm glad you said this in such an eloquent way, because I noticed the same thing.
This is a great example of productive criticism rather than just labeling players as a 2nd line center or a garbage man. It shows that you can appreciate the positive of their game, but also show that they have areas that need improving. I think Bingo was saying much the same thing during that losing streak.
I hope the players take a look at their own stats from time to time as well, or someone shows it to them. It forces them to be honest with where their efforts are going, and if it's not in the defensive zone, the high danger chances and goals against go up. It looks like they've made the adjustment, and the result is a lot of goals for and a lot of winning! Let's hope they don't forget it the rest of the year.