1/ Stymied offense that looks done for? Games that seem all but lost?
Mahomes took care of it in Kansas. And I am telling you, GAME TAPE will take care of it here in Nashville!
We are going to goddam Disney Land...or "Muskoka Ontario Canada"....wherever hockey champions go!
Mahomes took care of it in Kansas. And I am telling you, GAME TAPE will take care of it here in Nashville!
We are going to goddam Disney Land...or "Muskoka Ontario Canada"....wherever hockey champions go!
2/ To recap the last GAME TAPE developments...we last discussed the prevailing "formula" that tends to bring out the most fluid offense possible.
The #Preds *partially* moved in this direction, securing 2 out of 3 wins last week. But we can do better...
The #Preds *partially* moved in this direction, securing 2 out of 3 wins last week. But we can do better...
3/ The top six #Preds line combinations the staff went with, while respectable...are not the most optimal.
It's not just the "chemistry" between players. There was a new strategic framework adopted for these lines, and that's what we'll look at today...
It's not just the "chemistry" between players. There was a new strategic framework adopted for these lines, and that's what we'll look at today...
4/ An unappreciated quality of the previous #Preds JOFA line was the pairing of two elite *and large* forwards: Johansen & Forsberg.
They could lean on each other, navigate the boards, power through opposition pressure, & execute elite offensive cycling:
They could lean on each other, navigate the boards, power through opposition pressure, & execute elite offensive cycling:
5/ By promoting Mikael Granlund & Kyle Turris to the #Preds top six, the staff were adding two players who've had historical & obvious problems along the boards:
6/ I'd argue that much of the historical stagnation of the #Preds 2nd line (Kevin Fiala era onwards) is based on their struggle to imitate the board-heavy long-possession style of JOFA.
They can do it. But in their weaker frames & line compositions, the work is more punishing:
They can do it. But in their weaker frames & line compositions, the work is more punishing:
7/ The #Preds staff seem to have recognized this struggle.
So in promoting Turris & Granlund to the top six...they also adopted new offensive guidelines.
Let's look at the characteristics now. They may seem familiar to my loyal & VERY VERY FEW readers:
So in promoting Turris & Granlund to the top six...they also adopted new offensive guidelines.
Let's look at the characteristics now. They may seem familiar to my loyal & VERY VERY FEW readers:
8/ For this current #Preds top six, the boards are no longer an arm-wrestling contests to be won.
When pressured, they'll act fast. Finding either a nearby open-man...but usually sending it up to the point where fellow defenders are weakly covered:
When pressured, they'll act fast. Finding either a nearby open-man...but usually sending it up to the point where fellow defenders are weakly covered:
9/ Once at "the point", you see the #Preds adhere to two key principles:
(a) Implementation of screens to produce goals.
(b) Generations of rebounds to create positional scrambles or gaps in opposition defensive structures.
(a) Implementation of screens to produce goals.
(b) Generations of rebounds to create positional scrambles or gaps in opposition defensive structures.
10/ It's not just from "the point" we see these new #Preds offensive principles in-action.
As far away as the boards, you'll see forwards throw "Hail Mary" shots, as their linemates streak into the slot:
As far away as the boards, you'll see forwards throw "Hail Mary" shots, as their linemates streak into the slot:
11/ You can tell how important goalie screens are regarded in this new #Preds offensive structure...
When even on rushes...shots are purposely delayed - until a screen can be established in the slot:
When even on rushes...shots are purposely delayed - until a screen can be established in the slot:
12/ This new offensive philosophy worked well in the first two #Preds "New Top Six" series of games.
They were able to defeat both one of the best teams in the NHL...and one of the worst (cough! *what u get for disrespecting the banners Subban* cough!)
They were able to defeat both one of the best teams in the NHL...and one of the worst (cough! *what u get for disrespecting the banners Subban* cough!)
13/ But against Las Vegas, you saw the dangers of such a homogeneous & "un-magical" offensive structure.
The screen can be difficult to setup, commitment to the slot prevents support for puck-carriers, and forwards are taking robotic shots in-lieu of creative play-making:
The screen can be difficult to setup, commitment to the slot prevents support for puck-carriers, and forwards are taking robotic shots in-lieu of creative play-making:
14/ These strategies can help in situational contexts. These lines can work in injury contexts.
But as a rule? The #Preds can do better.
And they should consider the "opportunity cost" of destroying the JOFA line...
But as a rule? The #Preds can do better.
And they should consider the "opportunity cost" of destroying the JOFA line...
15/ The last time we saw the #Preds JOFA line appear was for one shift against Edmonton...
...that was when unbalanced line randomization & a losing skid began (perhaps not so coincidentally).
It was strong, magical, & a unique flavor of Nashville Predators offense:
...that was when unbalanced line randomization & a losing skid began (perhaps not so coincidentally).
It was strong, magical, & a unique flavor of Nashville Predators offense:
16/ The #Preds can create four balanced lines. Incorporating young & old. Each with unique & creative modes of attack. Based on demonstrated precedent.
These could still take advantage of the systemic principles described today.
Coming Soon...
These could still take advantage of the systemic principles described today.
Coming Soon...
