Quote:
Originally Posted by Draug
It seems like the team really should be doing a ton better than they are.
So where are you on Sutter? There are 3 things that have been driving me absolutely mad!
1. The amount of ice time that the bottom 3 players on the roster are getting. The 4th line seems constantly caved in.
2. The line combinations. I cant believe Sutter has stuck with Kadri/Huberdeau for so long, when it really looks like a disaster to me.
3. The man on man coverage in our defensive zone. Many times it works ok, but when it breaks down, it seems to offer up a huge Grade A chance which ends up in the net. I'd like to see more traditional defensive zone play.
Would not their offensive execution be better with some adjustments to my points 1 and 2? And would not their defensive collapses be more mitigated by changing 3?
Do you feel Sutter is being overly stubborn in not changing any of this? I sure do at this point! But, sneak into the playoffs and go on a long run, and I will admit that I was proven wrong.
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Well, I guess we can go back to playing more zone type defense like Gulutzan deployed and based on how many people loathed him, I doubt that would gain much traction. It was a pretty passive style and it was aimed at protecting the house. But personally, I see merits in both strategies. Although ultimately, I actually think it's more important for individuals to stop the cycle and kill plays quickly regardless of what system is deployed and I believe the Flames do that pretty well relatively speaking. They're a top shot suppression team that doesn't allow a lot from the house. That's really all you can ask for from your defense because breakdowns are
going to happen.
I've honestly been more concerned with the team's details in the offensive zone leading to breakdowns. I find this team tends to have a problem leaving too much for the opposition to take advantage of when they're desperately trying to score which happens often. Lots of ill-advised pinches when the forwards aren't there to offer back support and be more connected through the middle of the ice which has lead to odd man rushes vs our fragile goaltenders (not good a idea). That's the key, being connected which is something last year's top line was spectacularly elite and it lead to that line producing the most absurd 5 on 5 goal differential. No other line has come even close to being able to mimic that differential.
If the team is better with their details going forward, they should be able to cut down unnecessary odd man rushes against which should help their goalies a ton.