Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
I think Backlund's finish gets underrated because he is compared to pure finishers like Monahan. If you break down the numbers (5v5 shooting percentage, 5v5 shooting volumes, etc) Backlund's been a similar class of finisher to cup-winning centres like Zetterberg and Toews. You're gonna shank a lot of chances when you're getting... a LOT of chances in congested areas.
Honestly the only true issue with Backlund's game is that he's not great at faceoffs, but I've never considered that a major issue.
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Yeah I guess I just mean he has a rep of shooting centre mass. His shot is hard enough but except on his patented move he doesn’t find corners as much. But Mangiapane just seems to have pucks go in these days.
All three guys are enough of a threat to shoot so you aren’t laying right off of one or the other, as well. And they skate about equally well.
Anyway, it’s a nice line that can play in a lot of situations. Frankly Monahan, Dube and Pitlick could be a lesser version with a bit of confidence, though there’s a bit of a pace difference between all three so I worry they will not be as cohesive an attack.