Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Taking a peek at the powerplay: what makes PP1 so good & what's fuelling PP2's blues

Wolven · 01-06-2019, 01:56 AM

I was thinking the exact same thing after watching today's game. What I saw was a Flyer's team that worked as hard as possible to shut down PP1 for 1 minute or maybe 1:20 and then they relaxed when PP2 came out because they aren't much of a threat.

I think 3 guys should be fairly safe to keep in PP2:
Hanifin, Backlund, and Bennett

That leaves the question marks around Ryan and Neal:

Ryan: As much as I like Ryan's defensive play, and his ability to win faceoffs, I really think he is the first person to need to be removed from the powerplay. Backlund and Bennett can both win faceoffs and (I think) are both better equipped in the offensive zone
Neal: I really want Neal to stay on PP2 because he is the closest thing we have to Monahan for the second unit but if the unit needs to be changed beyond removing Ryan then Neal needs to be the second one rotated out. (However this leaves the unit with no right hand shots)

For replacements I think there are 2 main targets to consider:

Jankowski: He is the most obvious addition to PP2, especially since he now has generated more offense on the PK than PP2. I think you can either put him down low or in the slot and he will be able to contribute to pucks going into the net.

Brodie: I know the current power play is modeled around 1 D-man but I think TJ has the ability to replace Ryan on the right wall, since that is where he plays all day, every day. Also, TJ has shown time and again that he has the ability to gain the zone and get the puck deep when we are 5v5.

I think he can translate that ability gain the zone to the PP2 and provide some dynamic offensive thinking and movement. Also, Brodie has a great shot when given the chance to use it.

Honourable mention: If the above guys do not gel then I would look at giving Frolik a shot on PP2. He has been on Backlund's wing for years and he has nearly the same number of points as Ryan with half of the games played.

Assuming that PP2 swaps out both Ryan and Neal for Jankowski and Brodie then the 1-3-1 would look like this:

Bennett (low)
Backlund (left) - Jankowski (slot) - Brodie (right)
Hanifin (point)

01-06-2019, 01:56 AM	#12
Wolven First Line Centre Join Date: Feb 2009 Exp:	I was thinking the exact same thing after watching today's game. What I saw was a Flyer's team that worked as hard as possible to shut down PP1 for 1 minute or maybe 1:20 and then they relaxed when PP2 came out because they aren't much of a threat. I think 3 guys should be fairly safe to keep in PP2: Hanifin, Backlund, and Bennett That leaves the question marks around Ryan and Neal: Ryan: As much as I like Ryan's defensive play, and his ability to win faceoffs, I really think he is the first person to need to be removed from the powerplay. Backlund and Bennett can both win faceoffs and (I think) are both better equipped in the offensive zone Neal: I really want Neal to stay on PP2 because he is the closest thing we have to Monahan for the second unit but if the unit needs to be changed beyond removing Ryan then Neal needs to be the second one rotated out. (However this leaves the unit with no right hand shots) For replacements I think there are 2 main targets to consider: Jankowski: He is the most obvious addition to PP2, especially since he now has generated more offense on the PK than PP2. I think you can either put him down low or in the slot and he will be able to contribute to pucks going into the net. Brodie: I know the current power play is modeled around 1 D-man but I think TJ has the ability to replace Ryan on the right wall, since that is where he plays all day, every day. Also, TJ has shown time and again that he has the ability to gain the zone and get the puck deep when we are 5v5. I think he can translate that ability gain the zone to the PP2 and provide some dynamic offensive thinking and movement. Also, Brodie has a great shot when given the chance to use it. Honourable mention: If the above guys do not gel then I would look at giving Frolik a shot on PP2. He has been on Backlund's wing for years and he has nearly the same number of points as Ryan with half of the games played. Assuming that PP2 swaps out both Ryan and Neal for Jankowski and Brodie then the 1-3-1 would look like this: Bennett (low) Backlund (left) - Jankowski (slot) - Brodie (right) Hanifin (point) __________________