Quote:
Originally Posted by jtkratzer
At least the Toronto fans on the board are because no one in the organization is, especially the team they put on the ice tonight.
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Thats because Maurice plays a man-to-man defense, instead of a zonal defense that most teams play...
Its very simple...
X= Leafs
O= Other team...
.= puck
= --> Net
G= Toskola
------------------------ (blue line)
Code:
O 0
X 0
X X
X
G
X = 0
0.
Obviously thats not perfectly accurate...
However the player with the puck has essentially 1 option, behind the net and everyone knows you cant score from behind the net ( in normal cases, we're not all Sidney Crosby's
). If so the defensemen in front of the net now collapses down low while the defense who was playing the puck (person with it) goes in front of the net. The winger playing the boards high (strong side) the collapses down low. While the winger on the once weak side, now becomes the strong side winger and he plays the point man.
Leafs:
-------------------------- (blue line)
Code:
O 0
X X
X0
X G
X = 0
0.
The problem here are:
1. Defensemen beside goalie is facing the puck and is oblivious to the other winger.
2. Winger covering the point is facing either the defensemen who he is covering ( thus oblivious to the play) futhermore, if the defensemen decides to pinch he has his back to goal, therefore the defensemen can probably blow by him.
3. If a player loses the one on one battle ( here lies the Leafs main weakness), the closes player covers for him. Well that leaves atleast 1 guy open. Well if a player who helps, odds are is playing the puck carrier and is not follwoing the play.
4. If the Leafs manage to win the puck up the boards, than they are also screwed. Why? Well because the winger is over comitted. The centermen is right beside the opposing centermen, thus breakout pass isnt there.
5. Leafs also lack speed, specially offensively. Antropov, Stajan, Tucker are all mediocore skaters at best. So if an attacking defensemen pinches, he can get back. Futhermore, if the just chip it out, the forcheck is a step behind all other teams.
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