Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
I completely disagree that the line scored more off the rush, which you have asserted several times. They’ve always been more of a cycle low - get the puck to the slot line when they’ve been successful. They got their share of rush goals, and they had more with Lindholm on the line, but that wasn’t the bread and butter. And yes, Johnny, especially early on, was getting better looks. Lately he’s been doing almost nothing, so that skews the stats in a short season.
Monahan, despite the coverage, has gotten a few close in shots each game, because they keep looking for that pass. They need a better couple options - a Lindholm, Hudler, or even Wideman option.
BTW, if you’re hoping to rely on rush goals, you are going to be disappointed. Hardly any teams rely on rushing because those goals are far less predominant. And it’s not Sutter’s game.
|
You don’t have to believe what I say. But the answer is available to you via AC’s incredible highlights.
2018-19 at even strength was mostly rush scoring with a significant portion of goals created off the forecheck. 2017-18 was almost exclusively rush scoring from what I recall. Gaudreau and Monahan are at their best in transition playing run & gun when defenses aren’t set. When defenses are set, it’s more difficult for these 2 to score because it’s easier to defend the very predictable objective of Gaudreau-pass & Monahan-shoot.
And lastly, yes, I have been disappointed with that line. They have an extreme reliance on rush scoring and without it their even strength scoring has dried up significantly this year despite the easier matchups this season, they cannot seem to figure out another way to produce outside of the powerplay.