pnjunction said:
Haven't posted here in a while but I'm much more frustrated with the dead power play than Andersen looking human.
Yeah, I've been looking at the PP over the last little while, and it's pretty clear that it's been scouted. The main tactic is to move the puck from Reilly to Marner on the right side, and employ one of three options:
1) high tip
2) cross ice to Matthews
3) low pass in crease, short reversal pass from recipient.
The opposition is shutting down the cross ice to Matthews, and the high tip isn't working as the opposition is essentially collapsing on the right side, and pucks are getting blocked.
Ideally, you'd like to add a quality point shot as an option. Reilly simply does not have one. You'd like Marner to be able to use a shot from his setup point as well, but he's limited on the angle as a right shot, and he doesn't have the velocity to cleanly beat the goalie from that distance. The opposition now exclusively defends against the pass.
If it was me coaching the PP, I'd like to start by trying to reverse Matthews and Marner. The play still runs through Marner, but on his off wing, which gives him a better ability to shoot as an option, which draws defenders to him, and opens more passing options. It also puts Matthews on his left-shot angle for immediate one-timers and catch and release wristers.
I might be shouted down on this, but I think Gardiner is a better point option on the PP than Reilly. He's got a better shot, and better creative vision.