[Jeff Lebowski]

Again the win was great and very good efforts and performances from the team. The amount of time defending is a little concerning. I'm talking about in zone defending - not necessarily the amount of shot attempts against (though that is a function) but how much physical time and space opponents have.

I recall the DAL series when they were able to control the puck in CGY d-zone and what that lead to. The thing is CGY needs to do a better job of winnnig races to the puck defensively. If you are constantly second to the puck, CGY wants to defend the middle of the ice and opponents are able to set up shop.

It's like a QB who has all the time in the world in the pocket - eventually the coverage is going to break down and he will find a wide open guy. That's what DAL did.

CGY has to make the game easy for their D by giving them quick outlet options (the centre and other D man) but that D has to get there first or else it's big time sustained offensive zone pressure against. We hear about breakdowns and not being good with details but how long do you expect the defense to cover and not break down (something like an opponent getting their stick free to tip a puck - how long can you expect CGY to able to tie that stick ?)

Markstrom is covering up a lot of this right now. Imagine that game if the goalies are switiched and not even just the first period.

I notice when the D go back for the puck and they don't get there first. That's what I see. Obviously I'm no coach and don't know the concepts or tactics but the analytics can be decieving (shot metric compared to how much time you are actually defending and under duress - how many opportunites there are for a defensive break down).

When the D go back for the puck they need to be able to move it quickly away from pressure and that next guy (either his partner or forward) have to get it out clean - have to start the breakout. The alternative is watching the opponent play with it for extended periods of time. Footspeed matters.