Empower the PP

posted by Mike Boone at 15h02 EST on Apr 21


What ails the Canadiens' power play?

I'm not an X's and O's guy. But you would think that Guy Carbonneau and his staff would have come up with something after watching the league's leading PP stifled for six games.

One thing I noticed watching Calgary and San Jose last night: I'd had too much Stoly to remember whether it was the Flames or Sharks, but players at the point were directing rising wristers into the traffic in front of the net. Scrambles and chances ensued.

Mark Streit and Andrei Markov – channelling Sheldon Souray – seem to think they can drive the puck through the eight legs and four sticks the Bruins have set up in front of Tim Thomas.

Similarly, maybe Alex Kovalev, working from his favourite spot on the half-boards, ought to try a few lobs into the crease.  Because his shots aren't working.

 

 




StumbleUpon
Tags:

Comments

PattyBoy31's picture
Submitted by PattyBoy31 on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 17:37.

if they could just thread the needle down low (easier through feet than bodies) they'd be bound to get a softie on thomas, he lets those sort in


showey47's picture
Submitted by showey47 on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 16:52.

quick puck movement to move their box around and pound in pucks from the point. They don't even have to be hard shots, just get them past the 2 high penalty killers and hit the net then look for tips and rebounds.


tony d's picture
Submitted by tony d on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 16:46.

I just hope they try something new, batting the puck, kicking it, anything to get it near the net on a PP, which is something that puck hasn't done in awhile
I hope they were shooting pucks against a garage door or something for target practice...cause if I recall they missed the net over 4 times on a PP last game


Submitted by New on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 16:00.

The Habs are busy working on their hairdos, and lucky ties. They don't have time for practice and plans.
Let's see how Boston copes with Q level initiations and neon ties.
Tonight we see the real Habs, and no matter what happens, lets see a standing O at the end of the game.
Heck of a season so far.


likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 15:31.

we need michael ryder...oh wait he's benched...

can the tie be used to screen thomas?


Submitted by CDK on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 15:29.

Fortunately for the Flames, their scorers (Iginla, Nolan, Langkow etc.) relish the fray that ensues when their defencemen throw the puck at the net. Although he hasn't put any points up yet, I love how Lombardi uses his unbelievable speed to break around defencemen and cut toward the net hell bent for leather a la Glenn Anderson.


cautiousoptimist's picture
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 15:17.

Darn tootin'. I like Carbo, I really do, and he's done great things with a young team. But he credits Julien in a press conference for adjusting his strategy to fit his opponent's, while it doesn't seem like he's done the same. He's been outcoached so far, that's for sure, and Julien is working himself into the Jack Adams spotlight.

1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."


Habsgirl's picture
Submitted by Habsgirl on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 17:18.

The Bruins don't play pretty. They are smashers. They always have been a goon squad or a smash and grab act. They are out there smashing us. We want to play pretty. We want to line up the play neatly and the Bruins are not going to allow it. Even the way Lucic plays is ugly. He is all over the ice like a HDHD kid off his meds at recess time. He's gangly and assorted and out of control. Now we want to take our ball and go home. We have to smash them back. Higgins has it right. Move before the Bruins' goalie is ready off the faceoff. Oh...your mask wasn't on right Timmy? Tough s#%*&!!! Move around him on your belly and stuff it in the net. It ain't pretty but it counts on the board baby. Smash and Grab. Stuff it in any way it can go in. Finesse? Forget finesse. This is Beantown back alley hockey baby. These Boston boys are bruisers. Time to play rough and dirty.

Personally, I like it like that.