Well, now we know Torts was the problem on the PP.

[dumpstralmannow]

Not only does this team shoot constantly on the PP, they are using the cross ice pass through the center of the box which the Penguins and Capitals do all the time and the PP looks great. AV has made fixing the PP look so easy.

 

[Stepupstepan]

I was all for letting Torts go but Torts never actually focused on fixing the PP in my opinion. He said it himself numerous times. Also having Arniel has helped to fix the PP. The other teams will actually be afraid to take penalties now knowing we have a decent PP.

 

[Ranger71]

I'd like to see Kreider in the middle with his size and great shot, they have him on the sides too much. They're silly for throwing elf-sized MZA in that role, Kreider can at least fend people off.

 

[Stepupstepan]

You know they would score more goals if Richards did not take so many shots. He should set up more guys like Kreider or Brassard because they have a much better shot. MZA is there to set up other guys for a shot. The thing is they don't have a lot of players with a great shot.

 

[Ranger71]

McDonagh has done a better job of shooting on the fly, but in general our dman don't do it quick enough. Arniel should work with them on it more. Part of it is they don't have a great distributor who can move laterally, except DZ once, ONCE in a blue moon.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Agree with you 71. They don't shoot fast enough. Even when they are not on PP they should try to shoot off the pass. I've noticed that they take too long to shoot. The goalies get into position and make the saves.

 

[dumpstralmannow]

I don't agree. They have been moving the puck and shooting quickly this year. Thus why there PP is in the top 15.

 

[dumpstralmannow]

Last year under Torts McDonagh had 4 goals in 47 games. Under AV he has 4 goals in 16 games. In 3 years under Torts McDonagh had 3 PP points. In 16 games under AV, McDonagh has 3 PP points. I think that pretty much sums up Torts and his anal style of not letting defenseman use their offense. Now to be fair, the other defenseman on the team have barely put up any points but I think that is because of a couple reasons. One, thy have been snake bit a little. Especially Moore. Two, without Nash having those rushes up the ice, the assist total for the defenseman has been down. Especially when they missed Nash, Cally and Hagelin for so many games.

 

[mrmel29]

I love the way we're moving the puck on the PP. My one pet peeve with AV so far and the PP is taking kreider off the first pp with stepan and zucc and putting richards in and screwing up the lines for couple of shifts afterwards. Keep kreider with step and zucc and put richards with 2nd unit pp hags and whoever.

 

[Ranger71]

Kreider should be the one moving through the middle of the ice, not Zuccarello.

 

[mrmel29]

Can feel Kreider about to explode with a goal barrage any game now and as someone else commented would be nice if his linemates occasionally look for him with a pass or 2 with his shot.