Time to change the powerplay
With yet another awful showing from both powerplay units, the Bruins really need to address their powerplay structure. Having a successful and dangerous powerplay is essential in the playoffs and low scoring games. Right now the powerplay is way too predictable with too many players playing in roles they do not succeed in.
First unit:
Krejci-Savard-Wheeler
Chara-Wideman
For the first unit, establish one dominate unit. Usually the first unit will see the majority of powerplay time especially if they can keep the puck in the attacking zone. Get the best players out there together. Enough of the "need for two left handed shooters down low". If you don't have the personal to do so, then change it up.
Second Unit:
Kessel-Bergeron-Lucic
Ference-Hunwick
Bergeron is now used to his strength, which is playing down low. Kessel leads this team in goals and should be on the ice over Axelsson and Kobasew. Scratch Hnidy and dress Hunwick.
I know this will never happen but it would be interesting to see it tried. The current powerplay has simply looked brutal for the past ten games. The other teams around the league have figured it out and found ways to defend against it rather easily. Having a dominate powerplay can be the difference between a first round exit and the ability to advance.
First unit:
Krejci-Savard-Wheeler
Chara-Wideman
For the first unit, establish one dominate unit. Usually the first unit will see the majority of powerplay time especially if they can keep the puck in the attacking zone. Get the best players out there together. Enough of the "need for two left handed shooters down low". If you don't have the personal to do so, then change it up.
Second Unit:
Kessel-Bergeron-Lucic
Ference-Hunwick
Bergeron is now used to his strength, which is playing down low. Kessel leads this team in goals and should be on the ice over Axelsson and Kobasew. Scratch Hnidy and dress Hunwick.
I know this will never happen but it would be interesting to see it tried. The current powerplay has simply looked brutal for the past ten games. The other teams around the league have figured it out and found ways to defend against it rather easily. Having a dominate powerplay can be the difference between a first round exit and the ability to advance.
posted by Pekese at 1:38 PM
19 Comments:
I actually really like both of your proposed PP units, the only thing that probably could also be done is switching Hunwick (even though I love how he plays) for Ward.
Nice, though.
I also like your proposal. I am also would switch Hunwick for Ward. Moreover some thought should be given to have Chara in front. He is a big body to move and the B's seem to generate chances by having him positioned there. Having him on the point and Ax on the PP is a win-win for the opposition. They simply cover Chara & don't need to worry about Ax.
I say go to an umbrella with Chara or Bergeron up high.
i like the pp units as well, and i think we should scratch bitz or pj and try hubwick up front. im tired of the love affair between coach and pj, get pj outta here.
chara up front?
is dave lewis blogging here now?
2-2 after one. Better intensity but still very sloppy for a defensive-minded bruins team. Too many head-up-their asses plays in their own zone.
Another brilliant effort by our defensive-minded bruins. They wouldn't beat themselves out of a wet paper bag. Useless effort by a dysfunctional team. It only shows you get what you deserve.
first round exit here we come!
Again no grit, especially when you need it the most. At this rate they will be out of 1st place in the east within 2 weeks. some serious soul searching required by all players. PC cannot say that he likes the team at this time this year as he did last year at this time. What happened tou our structured defense that always was there when we struggled?
What comes around goes around. The B's garnered points in January & parts of February that they did not deserve. Now they pay the price. If you keep knocking on the devil's door, someone will answer. Way too complacent with visions of greatness in their fat heads. Until they play a 60 minute game, a first round exit is inevitable. They are going backwards at a time when they should be priming themselves for a long playoff. First round exit? - I wouldn't bet against it.
Thank God the trade deadline is near. We need a transfusion - we are leaking badly.
the Bruins appear physically spent & mentally drained. Especially Ax & looch. Where has Lucic's abrasive style gone? Wehn he played on the edge we were in the game mentally - not so now. Perhaps Ax's play is rubbing off all the players. Savard passes way too much for my liking and the B's as a whole do not drive to the net and appear to fear getting dirty. This is not a Bruins team that can go far as it presently is playing - way too much playing on the edges. Pussies!!
BIG BAD BRUINS!!
Hardly - big (yes), bad ( i don't think so tim), Bruins ( not the Bruins that i can identify with).
Solid bone from the neck up for too long a time now. At his point in their schedule they should have buried the opposition. Need to get back to basics. Maybe we should consider some of our so called stars. It worked wonders for kovalev.
I only hope we do not play the habs in round 1 - I see another loss.
wow. yeah, I agree with anonymous #1400's comment.
What comes around goes around. The B's garnered points in January & parts of February that they did not deserve. Now they pay the price. If you keep knocking on the devil's door, someone will answer.
Yeah, that sums it all up for me. The B's haven't been playing the style of game that won them so many games earlier in the season, while the opposition has figured out a way to play against them.
I realize they are still #1 in the conference, and good teams often slump during times in the season, but great teams find a way to get back on track, and they obviously need a wake up call.
The players can talk about disrupting team chemistry all they want, and that's all good if you keep winning, but they haven't looked good over the past 10 games or so, and something's gotta give.
he said it best axelssons play is rubbing off on the rest of the team. when players look at who the coach loves they see axelsson. they feel if they play more like axelsson then it will make the coach happier and reward them with more ice time. juliens love for the worst players on the team will destroy this team.
wow. i honestly think you guys might be onto something. julien should scratch axelsson. now that would send a message to the team. yeah i know julien would scratch every single player on the team except chara before axelsson.
It was Murray last year and this year it's Axelsson... He isnt going anywhere guys... He has a no-trade-clause on his contract... Even if he waives it and is traded to a team of his choice, he's not going to get his current amount of ice time for another team... And he knows it... If Boston's bidding hard for the cup, AXELSSON is going to be a part of it... Get use to it...
I'm digging your PP lines. Wish the coach would try 'em.
We all know he has a trade clause and is not going anywhere this season. That being said, I do agree with alot of people here. he is soft and it sucks watching him get all the icetime he gets. thats why we all complain about him. alot of pepole say its wishful thinking to see him gone but EVERYONE knows hes going nowhere. I just hope the Bruins dont resign him after this season.
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