Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
It's also one of the things that is consistent about players who create offense in junior and the minors, but not at the NHL. They can't get to the middle. They don't have the speed, skill or size to create the separation required. So they get pushed to the outside constantly.
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There were so many great examples of that last night where Flames could not get to the night despite trying.
In the 3rd Lombo tried with speed and force and could not quite get there. He was boxed out. Missing skill.
All night 27 and 47 were trying to use speed and skills to get there. Boxed out. Missing strength.
So dump ins and trying to win board battles/cycles while someone gets open in the crease is a reasonable strategy when you lack the mix of characteristics in your players for successful net drives.
The heavy game also wears down those defensemen so that it gets harder to box our players out as the night goes on.