The Flames' Anemic Power Play

[Samonadreau]

Hamilton got that goal in the makeshift 5 on 4 with the goalie pulled. I like how he skated in to get a good shot off and waited for traffic instead of sitting at the line and just firing it blindly. Dont see enough of Hamilton on the PP need him on over Russell or Wideman even though he scored tonight.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Buff

I'm more worried about the PK than the PP but geez Louise...

Your more concerned about a penalty kill that has not allowed a single goal on this road trip? Honestly, that doesn't make much sense.

[robbie111]

I know this is going to sound crazy

1st unit PP

Gaudreau-Monahan-Giordano (Try Gio as a one timer option down low)
Brodie and Hamilton

2nd unit PP

Bennett-Granlund-Ferland
Russell and Wideman

[hockey.modern]

Originally Posted by robbie111

I know this is going to sound crazy

1st unit PP

Gaudreau-Monahan-Giordano (Try Gio as a one timer option down low)
Brodie and Hamilton

2nd unit PP

Bennett-Granlund-Ferland
Russell and Wideman

I'd rather see Hamilton as the one-timer. He's shown he can hit the net and we haven't seen Gio's arm to its fullest potential this year. The one timer could do wonders with what we see with Washington and Ovi

[SofaProfessor]

Originally Posted by robbie111

I know this is going to sound crazy

1st unit PP

Gaudreau-Monahan-Giordano (Try Gio as a one timer option down low)
Brodie and Hamilton

2nd unit PP

Bennett-Granlund-Ferland
Russell and Wideman

I can't call that crazy when Gaudreau has been saddled with the likes of Colborne and Raymond recently. Your suggestion looks downright genius by comparison.

[polak]

wtf are Colborne and Raymond doing with Gaudreau.

Now we have no units with any ability.

[codynw]

I wouldn't mind seeing something like this.

Gaudreau / Monahan / Ferland
Giordano / Hamilton

Bennett / Granlund / Jones (insert Frolik when he's healthy)
Brodie / Wideman

[heep223]

I was a proponent of having Colborne on the PP to dig pucks out, screen the goalie and clean up around the net. It has not worked - take him off.

Oddly Hudler does a better job of screening than Colborne. I'd try to work Ferland into that role at this point.

[Travis Munroe]

The 3 major differences in our PP vs almost every team that we play

1) The man in front of the net. We seem to have 2 guys in the area but neither are really screening as they are going for the deflection. 10 times out of 10 the goalie will stop those shots if it is not deflected and I feel for the D as they did their job getting a shot through but its nothing but a stat booster.

2) The breakout has 0 urgency and is designed to stop everyone at the blue line. You need momentum coming in so that even if you are forced to dump it deep, you get 2 men on their d man and re gain possession. Our style is to dipsy doodle until there is no play, everyone is standing still, dump it in and hope the d man fumbles the puck otherwise it is headed back into our own zone. The D also seem to force the pass....so many times when they casually skate out of our zone they could take it all the way in as the forwards are being covered. Hamilton has been doing a great job of this as of late however you can tell the play is not designed like that so it turns into a free for all after.

3) Other teams get you chasing once the cycle is set up - rarely is someone hanging onto the puck for more than 2 seconds and creating the chase eventually leads to a mistake by the PK and an open man. I feel for Johny as he is now trying to do too much on his own. It seems as if the design is to get the puck and wait for someone to come at you and then dish to whoever the open guy is and let someone else come at him. Unfortunately these are NHL quality PKs and unless you are playing the Oilers, the only completely open men are going to be in non prime scoring positions.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by polak

wtf are Colborne and Raymond doing with Gaudreau.

Now we have no units with any ability.

Was so frustrating yesterday ... Bob is obviously a good coach but his line ups often boggle my mind. Taking Jones off the top line was a mistake IMO and even if you felt you had to, replacing him with Hudler is not the solution.

Joe on the PP looked good on paper but in reality, Joes greatest strength is down low on the cycle. He is not physical enough to play the big pest in front of the net, seems hesitant to shoot this year and although great hands in the shootout, his hands are not designed for tight spaces on the PP. I can't remember off the top of my head but is he getting PK time? Seems like something he could be good at with the big reach and skill along the boards.

With how bad the PP has been, maybe it is time to consider Johny playing the point as your QB and rolling 4 forwards with Ferland as your pest in front.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by heep223

I was a proponent of having Colborne on the PP to dig pucks out, screen the goalie and clean up around the net. It has not worked - take him off.

Oddly Hudler does a better job of screening than Colborne. I'd try to work Ferland into that role at this point.

I thought it was a good idea too. But last night Colborne was way over on the boards for some reason. Ferland does it better. I suspect Bennett would be OK too - he doesn't mind the abuse. Heck, Stajan could do OK at it.

I want more Hamilton on the PP. Unpopular opinion, but I will say I didn't mind Raymond on it the last two games - he moved the puck pretty well and found open guys fairly consistently.

[Samonadreau]

^ thumbs up for Hamilton on the PP.