By the way, our PP again looked futile in the relatively little time it had, and the problem seems to be entirely in establishing a presence in the offensive zone. We're fine once we set up; we CAN create chances. But we can't get established. This is where Marcus Johansson was invaluable, but that's water under the bridge now. I know DC and others decry the slingshot approach, and I agree, it sure doesn't look effective. But straightforward trying to work it into the zone without the slingshot isn't working either. Maybe we need to move Wilson up to the 1PP unit in place of, say, Oshie, do more dump and chase, let Wilson try and help establish puck possession in the offensive zone, and then let him take Oshie's place in the middle of the PP setup. The problem is that it would probably be only very incremental improvement, because Oshie is the best puck hound we have already on the boards and behind the net. But who else are you going to replace? Ovie isn't going anywhere. If Carlson were replaced, it would be by another d-man, not a 5th forward, and somebody has to be available to take the point shots. And Kuzy and Backstrom are the orchestrators. Take one of them out and you may lose as much or more on creating and converting the setup plays as you gain by doing better at getting into the setup.
It's a conundrum.
Hey Black. Totally agree on the conundrum thing!
I think our PP can sort of create some better chances, as you say, WHEN and IF, they can get set up across blue line. But I really have only been seeing a few better chances, only against the weaker PK opponents.
I’ve talked negatively, myself, about the “slingshot”. But to clarify, I DO believe the slingshot can be a useful tool in the box, for ANY teams PP!
[size=78%]It’s OUR PP’s slingshot, the way we execute it, that is oftentimes simply abysmal![/size][/size]My understanding of its purpose is that when a Dman is bringing up the puck on the PP, the opponents 4 defenders have to guard against not only the Dman’s forward pass threat, as he’s coming up, but also have to beware of a fast skating forward who receives the slingshot pass, and with the speed generated, by the time he approaches the red line, there is a good chance he gets through the slower moving opponents 4 defenders, as they’ve been held in check, in their D positions, around center ice, due to the original, potential forward pass threat, right before the PP D man, suddenly turns 180, and executes the slingshot pass! All fine and dandy....IF....it’s executed PROPERLY!
That is, the slingshot pass is done in quick fashion, with the forward CLOSE BEHIND, as the D man is closing the gap to the opponents defenders, who are basically waiting at center ice. It is, of course, not intended as a complete surprise move, but more like a college football, quarterback option run.
The PP Dman can choose to pass forward, if there is an open lane, OR, turn around fairly quickly, and slingshot the puck to the ever accelerating forward closing closely from behind!
Great tactic, in theory, but the critical timing, for good execution, has to be PRACTICED!!
I don’t claim to know if the Caps practice this enough, or not. But I DO know that they execute it HORRIBLY, almost always! They just CANT pull it off!!
What do we see usually? Carlson, starts to bring up the puck, Kuzy, or whoever, skates back towards Holtz, curls around the net, and starts forward. FIRST thing is, it has become quite common for Carlsons slingshot pass to be way early, and when he tries the no-look business, the pass is too
slow, off-line, or late.
Suffice it to say that many times the pass is of poor quality.
It’s Kuzys job to scan ahead to see where potential line breaks/weak spots, may be developing, skate in that direction, and Carlson to generally get the slingshot, in line, and in time, with Kuzys basic forward progress, so that he can simply get the puck in stride!! This almost NEVER happens!!
And even when it’s decent, Kuzy gets the puck on his stick, WAY TOO EARLY, like somewhere halfway between Holtby, and the top of one of the circles!! He’s not going fast yet, he’s the ONLY guy back there, and opponents defenders have plenty of time to react to his acceleration. Then what happens??
Kuzy, on his own, somehow wings it with his puck handling talent, over the red line, heading into the blue line, where, many times, at least 2, defenders, who are READY for him, DUE TO OUR POOR TIMING, strip Kuzy of the puck, and WHAM, it’s over, and we have to start our approach again!
The PP has been a real problem for us, in part, due to the overwhelming amount of time we have to spend, just setting up!! OUR slingshot is one of those contributing reasons, IMO.
If we executed it properly, MY GOD, we have the talent, and we would increase our PP good chances!!!
I can only assume it’s a coaching issue, or lack of coaching it in practice! Hey, wait a minute... our PK has the same story, now that I think about it! LOL
I liked some of your ideas for changing the PP, Black! I’d like to see it. But you also conclude that it may not change much of anything, and I agree with you!
Since its both PP and PK, that are issues, I tend to think the coaches aren’t prioritizing it as much as is required. Given that we commit a TON of penalties, also, this just magnifies the problem! the playoff hockey will force us to get serious, if even possible to do so, with this team, or they’ll be sent on vacation quickly!!
Hope not!
Rush
