Quote:
Originally Posted by Burning Beard
So why haven't Johnny and Monahan been able to produce anything off the rush since after the ALL star break in the first year of Bill Peters? I don't think they are being told "don't rush". I bet they are being told "stop the stupid turnovers at the blue line" because thats all they have done for almost two seasons now.
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The complex answer is a bit convoluted and I've already answered in a different thread.
Simple answer is Sean Monahan. If the puck always funnels to your winger, then your line becomes predictable and easy to defend. If Monahan did a better job of exiting the defensive zone with the puck up the middle of the ice, determining the pace of play, maneuvering around the opposition forecheck/backcheck and distributing to both wingers equally, then this line would be be able to score more off the rush.
If the puck always goes to Gaudreau or say Lindholm, then you end up cutting the ice in half and defenses just have to shift to one side of the ice and contain. That's why having a legitimate #1 center is absolutely vital to winning championships.