There isn't a whole lot that Claude can be criticized for these days, but one thing is the Bruins approach to 5 on 3 situations.
A big reason why they have a legitimate power play this year is the play of Krug and Hamilton at the point. First of all, they can both shoot and score from the point. More importantly, they both move, with and without the puck, which opens up passing and shooting lanes. It's not all Krug and Hamilton - Chara playing up front has also worked out very well, as have Iginla, Soderberg, and Smith - but they are a big part of the different from past years.
So what happens when they go up 5-on-3? They roll out the 2010-2011 power play. Krug and Hamilton on the bench, Chara blasting away wildly from the point, and as little motion as they can possibly get away with.
It's god-awful.
A big reason why they have a legitimate power play this year is the play of Krug and Hamilton at the point. First of all, they can both shoot and score from the point. More importantly, they both move, with and without the puck, which opens up passing and shooting lanes. It's not all Krug and Hamilton - Chara playing up front has also worked out very well, as have Iginla, Soderberg, and Smith - but they are a big part of the different from past years.
So what happens when they go up 5-on-3? They roll out the 2010-2011 power play. Krug and Hamilton on the bench, Chara blasting away wildly from the point, and as little motion as they can possibly get away with.
It's god-awful.