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

[genetic_phreek]

I'm still not a fan of our PK. It needs to get more aggressive. If you ever watch Carolina, they are on the puck so quick and hard. They make teams move the puck fast so there is no holding onto it until guys get into positions.

We collapse and create a diamond which is great against not so skilled teams but against skilled teams it becomes a shooting gallery.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I'm still not a fan of our PK. It needs to get more aggressive. If you ever watch Carolina, they are on the puck so quick and hard. They make teams move the puck fast so there is no holding onto it until guys get into positions.

We collapse and create a diamond which is great against not so skilled teams but against skilled teams it becomes a shooting gallery.

I'm pretty sure they're focused on taking away high danger chances in the "home plate" area around the net. When there's an opportunity to pressure the puck carrier they get very aggressive, and often have support from the nearby PKers to pick up any turn overs and fire it down the ice. They are passive when they need to be and aggressive when they need to be, and above all else, it's working. Of course it helps when the goalie is stopping those low and medium danger chances that were going in the net earlier in the year with Elliott. Your goaltender is still your best penalty killer.

[FBI]

Another dominant special teams performance. 6 for 6 PK. 1 for 3 PP.
Up to 13th in PP and 19th in PK.

The entries with the big drop back pass and then a few more passes is looking phenomenal.
Also the little one touch passes in the zone are looking fantastic. I am loving the PP with Johnny on one side and Versteeg on the other.

Who woulda thunk it?

[Hockey-and_stuff]

The Flames were extremely good tonight on their 5 on 3. Colorado helped a lot by missing the net but that was one of those great kills that energizes your team and complete deflates the other. Backlund is a warrior.

[FBI]

Another interesting thing I noticed. Wideman is getting no PP time and our PP is on fire. Just Brodie on unit one and Gio and Hamilton on unit 2.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by FBI

Another interesting thing I noticed. Wideman is getting no PP time and our PP is on fire. Just Brodie on unit one and Gio and Hamilton on unit 2.

Which is a fantastic idea. I never even thought about using only 3 defense.

PP#1 looks amazing with the 1-3-1 and then you have Gio and Hamilton on our PP#2. That's just amazing.

[djsFlames]

The past 5 weeks demonstrate the importance of special teams to winning. Glad they have seemed to have figured both out, with the help of a little confidence.

[Lord Carnage]

Man, I remember hating this thread when it was started... the absolute raging of every poster who KNEW everything was wrong, and nothing would ever go right again.

Reflecting on it now, I get some solace that it may help people remember the instruction of Darryl Sutter back when he was here... "never get too high, and never get too low".

Yes, we were playing BAD, but obviously things weren't as bad as they seemed. We're playing very well now, but let's not get over-confident either.

Let's just enjoy the ride people!

[jaymac106]

Originally Posted by Lord Carnage

Man, I remember hating this thread when it was started... the absolute raging of every poster who KNEW everything was wrong, and nothing would ever go right again.

Reflecting on it now, I get some solace that it may help people remember the instruction of Darryl Sutter back when he was here... "never get too high, and never get too low".

Yes, we were playing BAD, but obviously things weren't as bad as they seemed. We're playing very well now, but let's not get over-confident either.

Let's just enjoy the ride people!

Well said!

[Isikiz]

Updated snakes!

Power Play
19.2%, 13th in the league


Penalty Kill
81.3%, 19th in the league


I'll update every 5 games.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

The past 5 weeks demonstrate the importance of special teams to winning. Glad they have seemed to have figured both out, with the help of a little confidence.

I'd say the early part of the season showed the other side of this too.

There were many games where one more PP goal for and/or one less PP goal against could have turned a loss into a win or a regulation loss into at least an OT point.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by FBI

Another interesting thing I noticed. Wideman is getting no PP time and our PP is on fire. Just Brodie on unit one and Gio and Hamilton on unit 2.

I find Wideman has been playing better because of it. He's making fewer dumb pinches. I've noticed many times where he's not pinching deep into the offensive zone and the times where it's risky, he's stayed back.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I find Wideman has been playing better because of it. He's making fewer dumb pinches. I've noticed many times where he's not pinching deep into the offensive zone and the times where it's risky, he's stayed back.

My guess is that it's mostly a result of a changed system and/or different expectations from the new coach. Not being part of the PP is probably just the most easily noticable part of those changes.

[FBI]

Updated. PK up to 17th now. PP still 13th.

[Cactus Jack]

I find it interesting they don´t play their off wings for big shots on the pp. We don´t have an Al MacInnis type shot anymore but Versteeg and Johnny don´t play their off wings. Even Hamilton and Gio on the second unit normally don´t either. Back in the day big shots from the point where what you wanted. I don´t know if others teams do what we do or not.

[Finger Cookin]

I think over relying on off wing one-timers really narrows the ice and makes it easier on the PK.

[CroFlames]

Big shots from the point are overrated. The key is to get pucks through.

If a goalie sees it, he's likely going to save it. So even if you have an open lane and blast it a million miles an hour, he's likely stopping it. The key is to thread pucks through to a guys stick for the deflection, or a low shot off the goalies pad for a scramble rebound.

If you have a true sniper winger like Iggy, Ovi or Laine, then you utilize the off wing slap shot blast from the circle. I think the only guy on the team with a decent one timer at this point is Wideman. Gio has a decent slapper, but I don't think he's got a great one-timer. Either way they are both d-men and don't play in the circle typically on the PP.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Big shots from the point are overrated. The key is to get pucks through.

If a goalie sees it, he's likely going to save it. So even if you have an open lane and blast it a million miles an hour, he's likely stopping it. The key is to thread pucks through to a guys stick for the deflection, or a low shot off the goalies pad for a scramble rebound.

If you have a true sniper winger like Iggy, Ovi or Laine, then you utilize the off wing slap shot blast from the circle. I think the only guy on the team with a decent one timer at this point is Wideman. Gio has a decent slapper, but I don't think he's got a great one-timer. Either way they are both d-men and don't play in the circle typically on the PP.

I don't entirely agree. Yes, a goalie is going to save most point shots, but just having the threat of a big blast from the point spreads out the D. If the pointman isn't going to shoot (see: Brodie, TJ), the coverage doesn't have to come out to challenge, they can sit back in the passing lanes.

An effective PP requires multiple triggers in order to keep the D spread. The more the merrier.

[CsInMyBlood]

Where is the love for Cameron?

Especially from all of you that were calling for his head?

He definitely deserves some credit after all the crap thrown his way from some around here.

[FBI]

Yeah I wanted him fired. Pretty remarkable the turn around in the PP. Wonder if we can finish top 10 this year..