Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterJoji
So the team as a unit haven’t been playing that poorly. I’m sure it’s redundant to point this out but we just need more accurate pucks on net and much better ‘tending from the goalies. |
I mean, yes and no.
That same argument could be made for Glen Gulutzan in 2018 when he got axed. They were outshootimg opponents 40-20 nearly every game down the stretch and SV% / SH% were tanking them (into what should have been Noah Dobson but that is a different story)
At the end of the day, there is some truth to that, but it overlooks some facts:
- Player usage - who is actually on the ice, and with whom else? Some players have the ability drive SH% up and others drive it down. And part of that comes from controlled zone entries vs dump-and-chase. If your personel cannot carry the puck through the neutral zone your SH% will go down
- Pace of play - creating odd-man rushes out of the d-zone and forechecking/cycling in a manner where offensive zone shifts allow for lime changers can drive SH% up
That Gulutzan team played with no pace, as did then Geoff Ward team. This year's team has some ineffective line combos even though it is talented. Lewis drags down Backlund and Coleman who need a speedy guy like Eatbread to complete their line. Huberdeau, Lindholm, and Toffoli lack chemistry too. And Dube's lack of vision carrying the puck drives the quality of Eatbread's chances down
