Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
And our defensive zone tactics? They've been far too passive yet again. I get it - we don't want to give up great chances in the slot. No one does. But top tiers are willing to take some risk and force the opponent to make quick decisions with the puck. We don't close gaps at all, and that seems to be coached because the coaching staff has shown contentment with these tactics, as evidenced by Ward claiming that allowing 60 shots in game 4 was acceptable because they were from the outside. Well guess what, the game winners in both games 4 and 5 were from the OUTSIDE! You give the opponent enough chances to shoot at the net, eventually they'll go in. Our strategy in the defensive zone has not worked, regardless of the game 3 shutout (when the Stars missed multiple wide open nets). And while players need to be better with managing the puck in the defensive zone, they need to be that much better at actually acquiring it.
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Really good post. I especially liked this part.