Quote:
Originally Posted by NegativeSpace
I believe that the league was game-planning for the Sutter team better this last year as well.
The team did really well the prior year under Sutter offensively. It did not take much analysis to know that the Flames were focused on getting lots of shots from anywhere on the ice. I recall Huska at the start of last season talking about how the team believed that a shot on goal was one of the most important events in an offensive zone because it can result in goals, rebounds, and deflections. It makes sense in theory as it creates a potential positive event without as much risk of a negative event that a pass or deke can result in. So, I'm not blaming Sutter or Huska or whoever was responsible for that theory other than the inability to modify the approach in season when it wasn't working (and they may have tried without success).
I think teams were better prepared for the Flames to shoot from anywhere as opposed to look for passes or hold onto the puck to beat a player one-one-one. I think fans underestimate the value of pre-scouting. Other teams were willing to give up the long shot from the outside and focus on boxing out against rebounds and deflections, knowing that cross ice passes or dekes are unlikely from most Flames players.
I suspect that Huska's change of tune from last season under Sutter to now is because the internal dialogue was that they were too easy to defend against.
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The top line really did their own thing last year which made it look like the team was not as offensively challenged, they played a different game.
Don't think it was teams learning to defend the plays, its easy to defend a team who is willing to just shoot without a pass being made right into the goalies crest. I believe the Flames led the league in the puck being frozen by the goalie off the first shot which is a telling sign.
I wonder if Huska was just relaying the coaches message, the shot is obviously important but just as important is the location, and how the shot is being created.
The league is too talented, the goalies are too good now to play a simpleton game.