BigTed3 Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 This is the thread to discuss the Habs' special teams. The PK but not P.K. Unless of course you want to discuss P.K.'s role on the PK. Or his role on the PP. - Who should be seeing ice on our special teams? - What combinations of players do you think will work? - Which player or players will lead the team in PP scoring? - How do you rate the coaches and players in their performance in these areas? - Where do you think the Habs' special teams will rank compared to other teams? - Is there a player on another team you think could help to fill a void on our PP or PK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Special teams we're pretty much not in the picture against the Bruins last night. Certainly far from the final lineup and nowhere near a sample size, but pretty bleak looking as far as the prospects effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habby4ever Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 The Habs rode the brilliant play of defense men Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban to the second-most power-play goals in the league. Their scoring rate of 20.7 percent ranked them fifth overall in the NHL. Having fully earned the respect of his coach, Subban will be the Canadiens' workhorse from Game 1 in 2013-14, which will of course include plenty of ice time with the man advantage. Subban and Markov will team up to anchor a Habs power play that should once again be one of the best in the NHL.IMO 5th or better. Penalty-killers allowed 35 goals against while only killing off 79.8 percent of opponent's power plays, ranking them 23rd in the league. While Montreal coaches over the past few years have used Plekanec in a number of different roles, one constant is that he has been used as the team's top penalty-killing forward. The Canadiens penalty-killers struggled as a whole in 2013, and the four-on-five game has surely been a topic of high importance for Michel Therrien this off season. There are many questions surrounding the Habs penalty-killing unit as we approach next season, with Tomas Plekanec being the only sure thing at forward. What was even more concerning last season was Price's play while killing penalties. Price's save percentage while shorthanded was a league-worst .804 among qualified NHL goalies. He allowed 30 goals on the penalty kill, which averages to 8.87 goals against per 60 minutes while down a man. IMO, he needs more support. The Montreal Canadiens did not manage to score a single shorthanded goal during the 48-game 2013 season. Last season, Jeff Halpern led the Canadiens forwards in average time on ice while shorthanded. Next on the list was Travis Moen, followed by Tomas Plekanec, Brandon Prust and Colby Armstrong. Not exactly a list of offensive skill. IMO. Max Pacioretty averaged just six seconds of ice time in four-on-five situations last season. David Desharnais averaged seven seconds per game. Brendan Gallagher received a total of 39 seconds of shorthanded ice time on the season. Alex Galchenyuk totaled just six seconds all year. At the very least, they should give the likes of Pacioretty, Gallagher and Galchenyuk a chance., re: penalty kill. We also have added Briere. The NHL is a smart league, however, and teams will adapt. The Canadiens' opponents in 2013-14 will likely key on Subban and Markov while penalty-killing, forcing the Habs forwards to beat them. With the change of players compared to last year on pk, and the premise of improvements each year, I can see the PK moving upward from 23rd Giving the aforementioned players more PK time will probably move us up to 15th or better. IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob616 Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 It's not a personnel issue, I just wish we could go back to a system more like what we had in the Cunneyworth/Martin era. That's truly my biggest beef with Therrien at the moment, why would you come to a new team and screw with the only thing they had right? It's just a strategy thing, we leverage our speed and play a very aggressive game at even strength and outnumber guys on the boards. That doesn't work when you're down a man, square peg round hole etc etc. If we can get back to playing a more passive PK and having Pleks-Moen anchor it up front we should be fine. I'd like to see Subban get more time, I don't really think we should be giving Markov big minutes on the PK anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaas Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 With a healthy markov & subban, our PP should be as good, if not better, this year. We now have more firepower up front in the form of Briere and the (hopefully) continued development of guys like Galchenyuk, Gallagher, Eller etc. The PK (obviously) needs a great improvement over last year. Adding Murray may help with this as he was a beast on the PK in his younger years but im not sure what he's been like the last couple. However, the #1 most important thing for our PK is a consistent Carey Price. I know its sort of chicken & egg (Price is good if he gets help from his defense but his defense is only as good as Price) but there's no doubt he must take on the majority of the PK burden. Its probably not fair to judge J.J. Daigneault as I dont really know what part he plays in the PK but right now something is not right. Personally, I would love to see us use a less defensive approach on the PK and use our speed. Be aggressive and keep the opposition out of our zone. This worked for us beautifully in the past but this last year we've just fallen back into the old "safe" system which frankly doesnt work well for most of our players. Im still not sure who is replacing Halpern and Armstrong on the PK this year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I1IscottieI1I Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 I think we need to get back to boxing the other team out. We use to be so good at keeping the puck to the outside were price could see every shot. Last year for some reason wed have 2 guys on 1 with the puck it became so easy to lure away players from the far side leaving someone wide open in the slot to receive a pass from the corner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Im still not sure who is replacing Halpern and Armstrong on the PK this year... Eller, Prust, Bourque, White, take your pick. We're not lacking qualified personnel on the PK, we're lacking a good system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeanCountingHab Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Is it just me or are Noob and Jed saying the opposite things? Noob: We're trying to use our speed and aggression on the PK but we need to be more passive and patient Jed: We need to less defensive on the PK and use our speed and aggression more Anyone remember what we were actually doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinot-1 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Is it just me or are Noob and Jed saying the opposite things? Noob: We're trying to use our speed and aggression on the PK but we need to be more passive and patient Jed: We need to less defensive on the PK and use our speed and aggression more Anyone remember what we were actually doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werzoth Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Eller, Prust, Bourque, White, take your pick. We're not lacking qualified personnel on the PK, we're lacking a good system. I agree with you, we have talented players (both offense and defense) for the job, just the wrong system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 On the PP, I'd personally like to see Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Gallagher Markov-Subban Pacioretty-Desharnais-Eller Briere-Diaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinot-1 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 On the PP, I'd personally like to see Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Gallagher Markov-Subban Pacioretty-Desharnais-Eller Briere-Diaz I nominate Ted for the PP coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeanCountingHab Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 On the PP, I'd personally like to see Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Gallagher Markov-Subban Pacioretty-Desharnais-Eller Briere-Diaz I wouldn't mind seeing Briere on one of those units TBH, maybe in place of Gallagher. We definitely have lots of PP options this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeepsItReal Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 On the PP, I'd personally like to see Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Gallagher Markov-Subban Pacioretty-Desharnais-Eller Briere-Diaz I don't like Briere on the back end. I also don't like the net presence on that 1st unit. Pacioretty-Eller-Bourque Markov-Subban Galchenyuk-Briere-Gallagher Plekanec-Diaz Sorry GIO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeanCountingHab Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Ah, totally missed Briere on the back end in my reply to Ted. Please ignore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 I don't feel like we currently have a 4th defenceman capable of giving us anything positive on the PP. Not 100% sure of how adequate Murray could be in that role, but not ideal, although I still believe Emelin is an option once he's back. But for now, I think we're better off with a 4th forward in that spot and if we're going that route, I'd like it to be a veteran. We've seen Plekanec in that role already and I wasn't overly happy with how he did there. Eller, Galchenyuk, and Gallagher don't have enough experience on the PP, while Pacioretty and Desharnais are not sound enough defensively. So it leaves me with the options of Briere, Gio, or Bourque. Of those players, I'd give the first shot to Briere. As for the element of net presence, it's true that a line of Gally-Pleks-Gally lacks a true power forward, but I wouldn't underestimate Galchenyuk and Gallagher's ability or will to go to the net hard. With Subban able to tee up a rocket from the point and Markov's ability with the puck, I really just want to see three forwards who can cycle the puck and move it around quickly. That's what I get with the three players I opted for. The second wave gives me two bigger players in combination with a puck-mover (Desharnais) and gives us a more classic-looking PP where the off-puck winger moves to the front of the net and the center plays the high slot to the boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerplay2009 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 If we were to put a forward on the point, I think it would make more sense to put them with our best and most mobile defenseman if they were to make a mistake, and that would be Subban. I like Ted's forward combos, but I personally would be more inclined to have a first wave with Briere-Subban and then Diaz-Markov on the back end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 If we were to put a forward on the point, I think it would make more sense to put them with our best and most mobile defenseman if they were to make a mistake, and that would be Subban. I like Ted's forward combos, but I personally would be more inclined to have a first wave with Briere-Subban and then Diaz-Markov on the back end. I'm not a fan of this option. I think it's best to pack your 1st unit with the best you have and aim to not need a second unit. Spreading talent between your lines during the course of a game makes sense as you want to make it difficult for the opponent to defend against you every shift of 5 on 5. However on the PP, the goal is to score and score early so you have to put your 2 best PP d-men together on the 1st wave. Depending on how physical and taxing a game is and how many penalties there are, I'd start with Subban-Markov for approx 1m15 then if we didn't score leave Subban there and change Markov for Diaz. Maybe change Subban for any of our other D (who was next in the rotation) in the last few seconds remaining if we're not in a position of pressuring and it's clear we'll not score on that PP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Careyprice Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 My ideal power play unit to start the year, Subban is a right handed shot on the point with a big body Patches/Bourque in front of the net, Plekanec is our #1 center deserves the first unit. Diaz shoots right so playing him on the left PP gives him chance to use his accurate shot. Pacioretty-Plekanec-Bourque Subban-Markov Eller-Galchenyuk-Gallagher Diaz-Briere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddienmike Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 My ideal power play unit to start the year, Subban is a right handed shot on the point with a big body Patches/Bourque in front of the net, Plekanec is our #1 center deserves the first unit. Diaz shoots right so playing him on the left PP gives him chance to use his accurate shot. Pacioretty-Plekanec-Bourque Subban-Markov Eller-Galchenyuk-Gallagher Diaz-Briere I like these lines for the PP,I always liked Pleks on the half wall,he's better than any one else there. As for the PK,so far in the preseason,I have noticed a bit of a return to the system we played before the lock out,which was very successful,I have also noticed Patches,on the Pk and he did alright,I think it's a good idea to try other players on the PK and PP in the preseason,then if the regulars can't be on the ice, we know what we have as replacements. GO HABS GO :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerplay2009 Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Here's a great article from Eyes on the Prize about us potentially having better success using the 1-3-1 model made famous by Adam Oates with his time as an assistant in New Jersey and head coach in Washington. I say we go for it, but MT and co seems to be a staff set in its ways. http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2013/10/8/4813970/breaking-down-film-the-canadiens-power-play-and-the-argument-for-the Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff33 Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 awesome link^ nice post very valid. anyone have therriens email? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstStar Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Looks like our special teams units may be coming together. We gave up one goal on the PK, but otherwise we were pretty right-Budaj was awesome. And beaulieu actually ok last night, got caught out of postion a few times, again, a rookie will commit rookie mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerplay2009 Posted October 13, 2013 Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 Good job tonight. I thought Hamhius was electric out there for the PK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habby4ever Posted October 13, 2013 Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 Good job tonight. I thought Hamhius was electric out there for the PK you bet, he even scored a goal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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