PP/PK discussion (update 12th/11th) - now with PP snek

[Classic_Sniper]

We're 1/3 through the season and the Flames' special teams are still sitting in the League's basement. The team has lost a lot of games and potential points because of the ineptitude of the systems.

The same group over the course of the 2 prior seasons were about league average on the Powerplay with approximately 17%-18%. The team is currently at 10% which is on track to become the worst power play since the Lockout. That's historically bad. So literally, they could try just about anything else at this point and it probably would be better than what we've seen so far up to date. In my opinion, since this is a copycat league, the team should try to copy one of the best power plays over the last decade and that's the Washington Capitals 1-3-1 set up. We don't quite have the same personnel, but I see a lot of similar tools.

Here's how I see it potentially setting up.



Using Giordano as the "Ovechkin" of the power play is not necessarily ideal, but he does have one of the best one timers on the team and his shot has registered well over 100MPH. Gaudreau would be used as the "Backstrom" of the power play as this will give him many potential options in which he can control whether or not the puck should be directed to the net or to the point or cross ice for the one timer. Monahan will be stationed in the slot for a potential slap pass redirection or tip ins and Matthew Tkachuk will be stationed beside the net where he is accustomed to being scoring garbage goals or finding Monahan in the slot. Brodie will be used as their John Carlson because he can distribute the puck nicely from forehand to backhand and has the quickness to race back to the defensive zone just in case there are turnovers.

After watching the Captials dominate on the power play for years and watching how well they control the offensive zone and generate countless chances, I'm convinced this is the way to go. This structure has been proven to be successful in the past and the Capitals PP has consistently hovered around the top of the league for the last decade and I guarantee it'll be much more successful than the current system the team has deployed.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

We're 1/3 through the season and the Flames' special teams are still sitting in the League's basement. The team has lost a lot of games and potential points because of the ineptitude of the systems.

The same group over the course of the 2 prior seasons were about league average on the Powerplay with approximately 17%-18%. The team is currently at 10% which is on track to become the worst power play since the Lockout. That's historically bad. So literally, they could try just about anything else at this point and it probably would be better than what we've seen so far up to date. In my opinion, since this is a copycat league, the team should try to copy one of the best power plays over the last decade and that's the Washington Capitals 1-3-1 set up. We don't quite have the same personnel, but I see a lot of similar tools.

Here's how I see it potentially setting up.



Using Giordano as the "Ovechkin" of the power play is not necessarily ideal, but he does have one of the best one timers on the team and his shot has registered well over 100MPH. Gaudreau would be used as the "Backstrom" of the power play as this will give him many potential options in which he can control whether or not the puck should be directed to the net or to the point or cross ice for the one timer. Monahan will be stationed in the slot for a potential slap pass redirection or tip ins and Matthew Tkachuk will be stationed beside the net where he is accustomed to being scoring garbage goals or finding Monahan in the slot. Brodie will be used as their John Carlson because he can distribute the puck nicely from forehand to backhand and has the quickness to race back to the defensive zone just in case there are turnovers.

After watching the Captials dominate on the power play for years and watching how well they control the offensive zone and generate countless chances, I'm convinced this is the way to go. This structure has been proven to be successful in the past and the Capitals PP has consistently hovered around the top of the league for the last decade and I guarantee it'll be much more successful than the current system the team has deployed.

I would be so, so happy if they switched to this.

[Mr.Coffee]

and there it is. Some guy on the internet literally outcoached whoever is in charge of our powerplay. If that isn't a call for change of the strategy, I don't know what is.

[Enoch Root]

you guys do realize that the Flames actually employ a 1-3-1 right now, right?

(no. I guess you don't)

[FiveSeven]

Yes, but only on the first pp line, and they don't use all those players in that exact formation, so still relevant.

[Alberta_Beef]

The problem with the PP is more execution than systems. They have issues penetrating, they have issues keeping pressure, they don't get shots. The coaches can't stop guys from bumbling passes, from shooting into shin pads, from trying to dipsy doodle too much and lose the puck. The problems are the same as last year because it's the same players as last year. Our best offensive players just aren't that good of power play players.

[Resolute 14]

The problem is that this is the Dave Cameron 1-3-1:



Instead of that back pass going from red line to blue line, he has us going blue line to blue line, and three skaters end up stalled at the attacking blue line.

[madmike]

I really think it's more on the players than the coaches at this point. Different coaches, different systems, same players = same crappy PP. For whatever reason, the Flames skill players stink on the PP. Not sure what they can do about it.

[gunnner]

One simple thing, we are certainly awful at is setting up one timers on players off wing/side, whether its the D or forwards. Makes the goalie move, and gets the shot off before they can fill the lane.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

and there it is. Some guy on the internet literally outcoached whoever is in charge of our powerplay. If that isn't a call for change of the strategy, I don't know what is.

It is a good post. A great post.
But you are comparing a tactic on described on the internet with the actual results.
So no, he didn't "literally" out coach anyone.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by gunnner

One simple thing, we are certainly awful at is setting up one timers on players off wing/side, whether its the D or forwards. Makes the goalie move, and gets the shot off before they can fill the lane.

Yeah why don't we starting setting up Chucky for some one timers over on the Right side, or Bennett or Monny on the Left, they have a bit of skill in that area..

[Flacker]

On the bright side, the PK is vastly improved, as of late. Currently 27th after being securely in 30th.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

and there it is. Some guy on the internet literally outcoached whoever is in charge of our powerplay. If that isn't a call for change of the strategy, I don't know what is.

Harkens back to the days of Brendan Morrison drawing up some powerplay formations for Brent.

[genetic_phreek]

I don't remember what season it was (maybe Brent Sutter) where he was so pissed off with the PP that he put all the plugs and goons on our PP.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

The problem with the PP is more execution than systems. They have issues penetrating, they have issues keeping pressure, they don't get shots. The coaches can't stop guys from bumbling passes, from shooting into shin pads, from trying to dipsy doodle too much and lose the puck. The problems are the same as last year because it's the same players as last year. Our best offensive players just aren't that good of power play players.

It's absolutely the systems in my opinion. The same group over the previous two seasons under Martin Gelinas executed at 17%-18% which was about league average. This season, the team is operating at almost half that and are easily the worst. There's virtually no scoring chances created when they're out there and almost no momentum gained either.

This team is tracking to have the worst powerplay from any team since the lockout. Literally, any changes made will be an improvement because they couldn't possibly be any worse than it is right now.

[D as in David]

I find they hold onto the puck too long on the PP. Whether it is to make a pass or take a wrister on net. As an example, last game Mony had a shot in the slot where he received the pass, set himself, looked at the net and then shot the puck. Gives the opposition too much time to react.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I don't remember what season it was (maybe Brent Sutter) where he was so pissed off with the PP that he put all the plugs and goons on our PP.

I recall that clearly. Then Feaster had a shouting match with him after the game. God they were both bozos.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

you guys do realize that the Flames actually employ a 1-3-1 right now, right?

(no. I guess you don't)

The biggest reason why I have the players stationed where I have is because it utilizes their biggest strengths and creates multiple scoring threats from all sides.

Giordano has a terrific one timer, Gaudreau has the vision to find the open man and the skill to create openings, Monahan has that great shot from the slot and the ability to redirect slap passes, Tkachuk is adept at scoring greasy goals and is a great passer down low. Brodie has the ability to pass well from forehand to backhand and has the quickness to defend if need be.

The beauty of this whole set up is, that if defenders try to take one thing away (i.e. Giordano's one timer), then it opens up Gaudreau on the other side to create scoring chances with more time and space. The current power play spends more time trying to find shooting lanes, getting their shots blocked and having to retrieve the puck then anything which has lead to the current mess that we are seeing right now.

[EldrickOnIce]

^ The current power play spends a great deal of time in the wrong 2/3 of the ice. Their offensive zone entries are far better at 5v5 than at 5v4.

[MarkGio]

I can remember the Flames.com website article that suggested the Special Teams coach was the right guy for the job because he had OCD and everything in his life was structured and detailed, right down to eating the same breakfast everyday. I don't think the Power play is going to improve if the same thing is going to be tried over and over. I think the system should be orientated around the talent and strengths that we have, which are QB defensemen and guys who can crash the net. Just enter the zone and shoot to keep it simple. If you cant win puck battles with a man advantage, then you have a roster problem, not a system problem.