the Buffalo Gap

wright · Veteran Member

the Buffalo Gap

24 Rings · Guru

wright wrote:

Of course the Sabres could be exposed as a post season pretender themselves.

I don't think this team is as good as everyone thinks. They work really hard and have some speed up front, but recently they have looked TERRIBLE. 2-7-1 in their last 1-0 games and I think they lost 6 straight in that stretch? Miller has looked shaky in those games and has been yanked something like 3 or 4 times.

barry33 · Guru

Excellant anylisis Wright. If I can expound (like that word Nilsey?) upon a couple of your comments. I would love to see us play a 2-1-2 style instead of the 1-4 we now play. I just do not feel that the 1-4 trap utilizes our greatest asset..team speed. However, when you look at who is coaching, you can understand that a 1-4 trap is their comfort zone as coaches. And it is working. I just would like to see a 2-1-2 in the playoffs because I think we would wear down teams faster. The other thing that baffles me is how we can be 23rd on the PK with the 3 guys we have coaching? If anything we should be 6th in PK and 23rd in PP. But again, why knock success?

AB Habman · Guru

barry33 wrote:

Excellant anylisis Wright. If I can expound (like that word Nilsey?) upon a couple of your comments. I would love to see us play a 2-1-2 style instead of the 1-4 we now play. I just do not feel that the 1-4 trap utilizes our greatest asset..team speed. However, when you look at who is coaching, you can understand that a 1-4 trap is their comfort zone as coaches. And it is working. I just would like to see a 2-1-2 in the playoffs because I think we would wear down teams faster. The other thing that baffles me is how we can be 23rd on the PK with the 3 guys we have coaching? If anything we should be 6th in PK and 23rd in PP. But again, why knock success?

Hey Barry, your post made me think about the Habs in 93', when Muller and LeClair were both deep on the forcheck pounding away behind the net and it led to huge goals. Also huge OT goals. Remember they started off the first round with a 1-4 system and weren't effective until Demers decided if they don't change to a 2-1-2, they were toast. What a difference that made. We now have even less offense than that team and don't have the deadly offense from one line so we have to work extra hard for goals from a balanced attack.

Good post Barry!

Carb and Gainey may have to change their style in the playoffs like Demers adjusted back then.

barry33 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

barry33 wrote: Excellant anylisis Wright. If I can expound (like that word Nilsey?) upon a couple of your comments. I would love to see us play a 2-1-2 style instead of the 1-4 we now play. I just do not feel that the 1-4 trap utilizes our greatest asset..team speed. However, when you look at who is coaching, you can understand that a 1-4 trap is their comfort zone as coaches. And it is working. I just would like to see a 2-1-2 in the playoffs because I think we would wear down teams faster. The other thing that baffles me is how we can be 23rd on the PK with the 3 guys we have coaching? If anything we should be 6th in PK and 23rd in PP. But again, why knock success? Hey Barry, your post made me think about the Habs in 93', when Muller and LeClair were both deep on the forcheck pounding away behind the net and it led to huge goals. Also huge OT goals. Remember they started off the first round with a 1-4 system and weren't effective until Demers decided if they don't change to a 2-1-2, they were toast. What a difference that made. We now have even less offense than that team and don't have the deadly offense from one line so we have to work extra hard for goals from a balanced attack. Good post Barry! Carb and Gainey may have to change their style in the playoffs like Demers adjusted back then.

Ya but do not forget Ab that Lecaliar and Muller were not exactly speedsters. We have guys like Perez, Pleks, Koivu, Higgins, Begin etc..who can all wheel and, IMHO, would be awesome in a 2-1-2 system. Team speed is wasted in a 1-2-2 system. But again..who am I to argue with success?

AB Habman · Guru

barry33 wrote:

AB Habman wrote: barry33 wrote: Excellant anylisis Wright. If I can expound (like that word Nilsey?) upon a couple of your comments. I would love to see us play a 2-1-2 style instead of the 1-4 we now play. I just do not feel that the 1-4 trap utilizes our greatest asset..team speed. However, when you look at who is coaching, you can understand that a 1-4 trap is their comfort zone as coaches. And it is working. I just would like to see a 2-1-2 in the playoffs because I think we would wear down teams faster. The other thing that baffles me is how we can be 23rd on the PK with the 3 guys we have coaching? If anything we should be 6th in PK and 23rd in PP. But again, why knock success? Hey Barry, your post made me think about the Habs in 93', when Muller and LeClair were both deep on the forcheck pounding away behind the net and it led to huge goals. Also huge OT goals. Remember they started off the first round with a 1-4 system and weren't effective until Demers decided if they don't change to a 2-1-2, they were toast. What a difference that made. We now have even less offense than that team and don't have the deadly offense from one line so we have to work extra hard for goals from a balanced attack. Good post Barry! Carb and Gainey may have to change their style in the playoffs like Demers adjusted back then. Ya but do not forget Ab that Lecaliar and Muller were not exactly speedsters. We have guys like Perez, Pleks, Koivu, Higgins, Begin etc..who can all wheel and, IMHO, would be awesome in a 2-1-2 system. Team speed is wasted in a 1-2-2 system. But again..who am I to argue with success?

Good point also except for guys like Deipetro, Dionne and Damphousse. They has some speed but probably not the speed we have now. Back then they could hook more on the back-check which probably will help more with our speed today to go 2-1-2.

Either way, I agree with you.

24 Rings · Guru

What does IMHO mean?

heet_150 · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

What does IMHO mean?

In My Humble Opinion

plouf · Guru

Hate to mess with what's working, but I do miss the 2 forecheckers we saw early this season. (if my sieve-like memory serves correctly) Remember how fast the Canadiens looked in the first 10-20 games?

With a hot goalie and an improved defense corps (Dandenault and Souray and Komisarek all looking steadier, even Streit!~?!)...why not? It's worth a try-out anyway, to give us the flexibility.

salted_one · Veteran Member

heet_150 wrote:

24 Rings wrote: What does IMHO mean? In My Humble Opinion

i kinda thought the h was for honest but then what do i know but to keep up with the subject would the 1-2-2 system waste less energy since more guys are habgin back rather than forchecking? cuz if it does maybe bob is trying to keep the troops energy up untill the playoffs start then maybe will have plenty of jump for the first few rounds since we'll be playin some tough top teams. if we do switch maybe it is better to wait till post season but then im neither a hockey player nor am i a coach.

barry33 · Guru

plouf wrote:

Hate to mess with what's working, but I do miss the 2 forecheckers we saw early this season. (if my sieve-like memory serves correctly) Remember how fast the Canadiens looked in the first 10-20 games? With a hot goalie and an improved defense corps (Dandenault and Souray and Komisarek all looking steadier, even Streit!~?!)...why not? It's worth a try-out anyway, to give us the flexibility.

Julien used a 2-1-2 system early on in the season when they were winning and for some reason., as soon as the team lost a couple they switched to a trap..maybe Gainey wanted it I dont know. But like you Plouf..boy I miss that type of hockey!

Habtastic · Guru

I'm with you two on the 2-1-2! Aggressive, responsible fore-check is my fav style. I am definitely a fan of the Sutter brand. From a player I expect speed (relative to their size), grit, and defensive commitment. Give me a team with those qualities and style and I will be a happy camper. Of course, the team also has to be the Habs, because nobody comes close to the tradition and passion and loyalty.

Habtastic