I also think the team was way too deliberate and predictable. OK, I get it, the object is to crash and bang down low, then work it high, then shoot on net with traffic in front. But, sort of like their PP, it was telegraphed way too much and became easy to disrupt, at least as I saw it.

I also think the team was way to deliberate and predictable. OK, I get it, the object is to crash and bang down low, then work it high, then shoot on net with traffic in front. But, sort of like their PP, it was telegraphed way too much and became easy to disrupt, at least as I saw it.
- UIF

It's a style suited to a low-skill team that defends well and has good goaltending. They don't have the talent to out-create other teams. Their forwards are largely (varying degrees of) slow and immobile. Same goes for the defense.

They don't have the legs to out-hustle the opposition or the skill to make up for the lack of legs. Nelson and Palmieri are virtually their only dangerous shooters that can score from distance and the latter isn't particularly great himself.

It's a style suited to a low-skill team that defends well and has good goaltending. They don't have the talent to out-create other teams. Their forwards are largely (varying degrees of) slow and immobile. Same goes for the defense.

They don't have the legs to out-hustle the opposition or the skill to make up for the lack of legs. Nelson and Palmieri are virtually their only dangerous shooters that can score from distance and the latter isn't particularly great himself.
- eichiefs9

Hopefully Wahlstrom fits that mold as well, and Barzal, when he actually does let it fly, has a pretty good shot.

The creativity is definitely where they're lacking. That's been obvious on the power play regardless of who's coaching it and what tweaks they make to the structure.

Hopefully Wahlstrom fits that mold as well, and Barzal, when he actually does let it fly, has a pretty good shot.

The creativity is definitely where they're lacking. That's been obvious on the power play regardless of who's coaching it and what tweaks they make to the structure.
- UIF

Wahlstrom is the team’s biggest wild card and it’s not even close in my mind. I hate to put pressure on a still fairly young guy, but he can almost single-handedly fix two of our biggest problems if he can stay healthy and live up to his draft position (and early promise). Hope he’s capable of what we all think he’s capable of.

Wahlstrom is the team’s biggest wild card and it’s not even close in my mind. I hate to put pressure on a still fairly young guy, but he can almost single-handedly fix two of our biggest problems if he can stay healthy and live up to his draft position (and early promise). Hope he’s capable of what we all think he’s capable of.
- potvin05

I like Wally, however his skating needs to improve as well as his overall strength. Putting him on a line with Barzy maybe like putting Lee there. Cannot keep up.

I get what you're saying. I think it's more about execution than the system...yeah, it's boring watching a team dump but not chase, and chip the puck to the neutral zone with no follow up like they did too many times this season. That first regular season and all of their playoff runs under Trotz were a lot more exciting because they combined tight-checking defense with attacking in waves with all four lines. I don't think this season is what Lane envisioned, though. If anything, his changes to the system should result in an even more sustained forecheck since the d-men are supposed to get more involved. The execution just wasn't always there.
- UIF

It’s always about execution of the system by any team especially in the POs. Those are the teams that win. Totally agree UIF.
Tampa didn’t win until they learned that the caps didn’t win until they learned that and so on.
You can have the best player in the world and still lose.
I also enjoy The Canes and The Isles style of hockey. Especially when they are winning.
Let me add the Isles scored more goals on the Canes and played them tougher and closer than the Devils. The Debbie Downers on here will tell you that doesn’t matter because it doesn’t fit their narrative we have been hearing for years. However if the Devils swept the Canes all you would be hearing is how young fast and offensively talented The Devils are.
Bottom line Defense typically wins and yes the team that pulls the rope as a unit and for each other win.

It's a style suited to a low-skill team that defends well and has good goaltending. They don't have the talent to out-create other teams. Their forwards are largely (varying degrees of) slow and immobile. Same goes for the defense.

They don't have the legs to out-hustle the opposition or the skill to make up for the lack of legs. Nelson and Palmieri are virtually their only dangerous shooters that can score from distance and the latter isn't particularly great himself.
- eichiefs9

So you are saying “ highly Skilled offensive teams” don’t go from low to high and visa versa in the offensive zone. Especially on their PP to create a lane or opening to score.
That’s the stupidest thing I have heard since face off were overrated.