Quote:
Originally Posted by IliketoPuck
There's a bunch of things going on, but the biggest I've noticed is the pace at which we transition the puck.
We are back to playing a Gulutzan style d to d pass and 5 man unit up the ice, which typically results in a chip in play at the blue line.
Our d rarely, if ever, immediately transition the puck north south. It is always east west, then forward. This allows the opposing team to get structured in the neutral zone, which leads to low controlled entries, low odd man opportunities, and more perimeter shooting (if we actually win the puck back).
Flames need to play on their front foot. Dictate the pace by transitioning the puck immediately north south, and allow your skilled forwards (JG, etc.) to attack the blue line with speed, instead of having to deal with a 5 man unit that is ready to disrupt the play.
|
Against Vancouver it sure looked like we were attacking a lot more off the rush, and on more than one occasion it was a defenceman leading the way rather than waiting for a forward to break out. It actually makes a lot of sense that the safe, controlled "Gulutzan" style hockey that seemed to creep back this year has not produced the same results with this lineup compared to last year.
Combine that with an aggressive forecheck when we do dump and chase, and a good cycle game from the Backlund and Ryan lines, and all of a sudden you're putting the other team back on their heels rather than playing uphill the entire game.