(lack of) power play - 15% or bust!

[cshea]

So, to start camp, the B's have been tinkering with Chara down low on the PP. I love it. Krug and Hamilton can run the points much better than Z. The 2 of them have far more mobility, vision and passing skills so I much rather have them QB the 2 units. The first unit was Krug and Krejci at the points, Z in front of the net and Lucic and Iginla at the half boards.

 

[kenneycb]

My only reservation is having Chara sitting in front of the net as pucks are flying at him since he takes enough of a beating as is.

 

[The Napkin]

I'm halfway to just wishing they'd just staple his ass to the bench for the PP and give him a 2 minute rest. As a compromise I'm happy having him down low and hopefully letting someone else bringing the puck up the ice while he waits at the blue line.
 
I'm less sure about Krug and Krejci at the points with the shorty potential. (Lucic/Z/Iginla don't exactly have a ton of speed coming back either.) But that's just me being a bit of a Nancy.
Bergeron on the point with Hamilton on the other unit?

 

[cshea]

If actually probably prefer Iginla at the point, Krejci at the half boards. Iginla is a much better shooter, and gives them legitimate left and right shooting options from the point. Iggy can roam around and fire home one-times, and Krejci can work the half boards and distribute the puck around. Teams would have to play both Krug and Iggy honestly as shot options.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

My ideal units would be:
 
Unit 1 - Krug/Iginla on their off sides at the point, Krejci on the left half-wall, Marchand on the right half-wall, Lucic down low
Unit 2 - Hamilton/Boychuk at the points, Bergeron on the left half-wall, Eriksson on the right, Chara down low
 
In my eyes, the B's are missing one more PP player. If Krug is able to stay out for both shifts that's pretty big, if not I don't think they lose a whole lot with Boychuk out there on unit 2. He and Chara moving around the zone/interchanging spots as the puck is cycled around would create problems for the penalty killers.

 

[erfus]

I don't want Chara down low either, at least not on a regular basis.  Maybe on 5-on-3s.  He's not a young hockey player at this point and I see no reason to have him exert the effort required to battle in front of the net on every PP.  I'd use Krug and Hamilton together at the point, they were dynamite in the NYR series and to have 2 point guys out there who are great skaters and can move laterally would be a godsend.  No need for an umbrella with that combo either. 
 
I've never been a fan of sticking Krejci at the point, he's not a shooting threat from back there and teams will back off him.  Iginla at the point is probably too much of a liability defensively for Julien. 

 

[The Napkin]

split out
 
here's some numbers we're all too familiar with but still. Ouch.
season *** regular % (rank) *** playoff % (rank)
 
12-13 *** 12.5% (29) *** 15.4% (8)
11-12 *** 15.2% (25) *** 8.3% (15)
10-11 *** 15.4% (25) *** 16.7% (8)

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I like the idea of Chara up front as a occasional change of pace, but not as a full time strategy.

Krug and Hamilton looked pretty good on the PP together during the Rangers series, I wouldn't mind seeing them as the top pair, with Chara on the second unit.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I'm halfway to just wishing they'd just staple his ass to the bench for the PP and give him a 2 minute rest. As a compromise I'm happy having him down low and hopefully letting someone else bringing the puck up the ice while he waits at the blue line.
 
I'm less sure about Krug and Krejci at the points with the shorty potential. (Lucic/Z/Iginla don't exactly have a ton of speed coming back either.) But that's just me being a bit of a Nancy.
Bergeron on the point with Hamilton on the other unit?

Seriously - just let him sit for 2 minutes, we don't need him on the PP. Now that we've got Iginla and Krug/Hamilton on the points, give him the rest. I don't know if he's the one demanding to be on the PP, but it's almost like they can't justify letting their captain sit on the PP.

 

[veritas]

Seriously - just let him sit for 2 minutes, we don't need him on the PP. Now that we've got Iginla and Krug/Hamilton on the points, give him the rest. I don't know if he's the one demanding to be on the PP, but it's almost like they can't justify letting their captain sit on the PP.

 
Couldn't agree more.  It's not a stretch to say he's the 4th best PP defenseman on the team right now, "replacement level" as far as this team is concerned.  And the stats back it up (admittedly SSS and lots of other factors involved):  looking at team goals per 20 minutes on the ice during powerplay time, Seidenberg and Hamilton were both better last season (no other d-men had significant PP time last season).  And Seidenberg has been better 3 of the last 4 seasons.
 
His ES and PK minutes are exponentially more valuable, he's still dominant in those phases of the game.  Maximize those minutes and minimize minutes where 3rd pair guys can give you similar value.

 

[McDrew]

Given that they had 4 PPG in the exhibition game, I think they've got something going right.  I liked the Krecji/Iglina/Lucic/Krug PP (Didn't see who was the 5th).

 

[BigMike]

I like the idea of Chara up front as a occasional change of pace, but not as a full time strategy.

Krug and Hamilton looked pretty good on the PP together during the Rangers series, I wouldn't mind seeing them as the top pair, with Chara on the second unit.

 
I completely agree.   I like having the option of dropping Chara down low as a change of pace, and to shock the opposition.  I think it is really effective.   I think doing it on a regular basis is a huge mistrake, and will only end badly

 

[pedro1918]

Given that they had 4 PPG in the exhibition game, I think they've got something going right.  I liked the Krejci/Iglina/Lucic/Krug PP (Didn't see who was the 5th).

 
The only highlight I saw was Iginla's first goal.  Soderberg was the forward in front of the net.

 

[The Napkin]

I was over the moon watching it last night.
 
TFP and I touched on it a little bit in the game thread and yeah it's just a preseason game and a split squad Habs team and all that. But as he said it's not like it was a couple broken down random bounces that double deflected or anything like that. There was puck movement - and down low too, not just back and forth between the point! There were people moving and cycling. There were guys set up for open one timers. There was puck battling in the corners. There were a couple nice keep ins at the point. There was, dare I say it, a plan. And a competent one at that. IT was actually fun when the Habs took a penalty and I'd get to watch it again. And when's the last time that happened?
 

 

[TheRealness]

I feel like Krug is going to cement his role with this team from his work on the PP. I was impressed with him generally, and happy to see that last year's playoff run was no fluke. He had his shot working, he moves so well at the point, and he created space every time out there. I was wondering whether some of that was a mirage, but man, he certainly looks like the real deal. He should be there #1 PP point guy with play like that. I don't think anyone else can give them that type of talen. 
 
Soderberg was solid as a net front presence, but overall the movement was eye opening. Very impressive. Hopefully, Chara gets to rest during the PP from here on out, as they really don't need him or his shot anymore on the PP. And, if Soderberg makes the team, he could be the wide body they need in front of the net as he certainly was shying away from physical contact. 
 
Lovely performance last night. Just lovely. 

 

[SidelineCameras]

 
The only highlight I saw was Iginla's first goal.  Soderberg was the forward in front of the net.

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVt5J7orPXQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUOETXQi9q23hXMAwib3vTNg
 
Lucic and Krejci on the second goal.

 

[ragnarok725]

So... Chara has looked pretty damn good down low on the PP early on. I didn't like it, and the consensus here was that it was a stupid idea. But he's shown some really good stick skills and he's obviously a big body that's near impossible to move out off the front of the net. Anyone rethinking their judgement a couple games in? I'm still thinking it exposes him to an unnecessary level of risk, but I'm starting to waver.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Chara in front, Iginla on the snipe, and Krug on the point is going to be real nice. Loved it when Howard threw his stick after the Chara goal.
 
There's great chemistry with Iginla out there.

 

[Blacken]

I don't mind Chara down low as long as they aren't just blasting from the point and mucking. So far, they aren't doing that, and I think they're smart enough not to do that in the future.

 

[BigMike]

So... Chara has looked pretty damn good down low on the PP early on. I didn't like it, and the consensus here was that it was a stupid idea. But he's shown some really good stick skills and he's obviously a big body that's near impossible to move out off the front of the net. Anyone rethinking their judgement a couple games in? I'm still thinking it exposes him to an unnecessary level of risk, but I'm starting to waver.

 
I would still prefer it as a change of pace and not something that happens 60 seconds every poweplay.   I still worry some about him taking an extra beating out in front of the net, with guys taking cheap shots at him there

 

[The Napkin]

2 for 19 (10.5%) after today's performance - good for 26th in the league ahead of Buffalo, Philly, NJ, and Anaheim.

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

The 5-on-3 really is Exhibit A of what's wrong with the PP. People are content to stand in a spot and let the PK press them into impossible situations.
 
Also, I know a lot of people asked it in the game thread, but on that 5-on-3, why no Krug? He's the one player on either side to instinctively know how to take advantage of the space given in that situation.
 
Also also, Gregory Campbell has a place on special teams, but not on the PP. He just doesn't do anything well enough to warrant it.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Really? No Krug on a 5 on 3? Pretty much exhibit A on why they will never have a good power play.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

None of us have any idea why Krug wasn't out there for the 5x3, but he's 2nd on the team in PP TOI...I'm sure Claude had a legitimate reason. He may have had a long shift right before and didn't start the PP, which really only had one opportunity for a change. 

 

[SoxScout]

He may have had a long shift right before and didn't start the PP, which really only had one opportunity for a change. 

 
He came off at 4:05... shot, penalty, faceoff, penalty, bruins timeout. 5 on 3 starters at 4:56.
 
Bergeron, Krejci, Iginla, Eriksson, Chara played the whole thing. Seidenberg and Bartkowski played the first shift after.



 

 





 

 


 


 

 


 


 

 


 


 

 


 

 

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Good call...I forgot about the TO. Still, I'm loathe to presume I understand a coach's actions...seems that Krug should have been out there, but I wasn't on the bench.
 
I guess the point is that Claude knows Krug is a key PP guy, whether or not he played during the 5x3

 

[The Napkin]

He may have been slated for the 2nd unit but if memory serves the puck was in the zone the entire 2 minutes. Of course it was mostly because it was a bunch of perimeter passing. But at least it was in the zone I suppose.

 

[cshea]

Krug should've been out there instead of Chara. They've finally come around on getting Chara off the point at 5-on-4, but they fell back into trying to load up on his one timer from the top of the right circle on the two man advantage. Krug may not be able to shoot it 100 miles an hour like Chara can, but he's got a plus shot, and is far more mobile and creative than Chara. Krug is also a better passer.

Overall, to me, the puck movement is light years better on the PP but they're still spending too much passing it around the perimeter.

 

[TFP]

Overall, to me, the puck movement is light years better on the PP but they're still spending too much passing it around the perimeter.

 
I agree completely with this, especially on the 5 on 3. They fell back into their old habits of standing around and passing, but were at least making progress towards moving around. Iginla cut to the net once and this opened things up, they did try to work it down low and go cross crease with a couple passes (even though it didn't work).
 
It was not great, but it was certainly progress forward. It doesn't come overnight, but to my eyes the PP unit looks markedly better and more confident than the one that literally couldn't even enter the offensive zone a couple years ago. It's just suffering from the same issues the 5 on 5 unit is...can't bury their chances. I think Iginla had about 7 one timer opportunities from around the face off dot to Gustavsson's right...this isn't them blindly shooting into people from the point.

 

[McDrew]

Krug should've been out there instead of Chara. They've finally come around on getting Chara off the point at 5-on-4, but they fell back into trying to load up on his one timer from the top of the right circle on the two man advantage. Krug may not be able to shoot it 100 miles an hour like Chara can, but he's got a plus shot, and is far more mobile and creative than Chara. Krug is also a better passer.

Overall, to me, the puck movement is light years better on the PP but they're still spending too much passing it around the perimeter.

 
There's a timing issue here that I think is in Krug's favor.
 
The time it takes Krug to unleash his snap shot, with decent accuracy, and get the puck to the net is less  than the time it takes chara to wind up, unleash his slap shot, and get it on net.  Yes, having a faster shot matters, but Chara's windup makes it easier(albeit more painful) to get in the way. 
 
The only place I want Chara on the PP is standing directly in front of the opposing goalie, and using his superhuman size to make it as difficult as possible for the defense to see the puck or get in the shooting lanes. 

 

[Red Right Ankle]

Oddly, I think so far the biggest benefit to having Chara down low on the PP is not screening the goalie.  As Brick noted in the telecast some time ago, it's actually in winning puck battles along the half boards and behind the net and keeping possessions going.  His reach enables him to be "first" to more loose pucks and his strength allows him to win more of those battles.  
 
I actually think his size could be a disadvantage in the tight spaces in front of the net.  His stick is so long, it's may be harder for him to play rebounds that pop out too close to his body.  That might be balanced out by his other size and strength advantages in the long run, but it'll be something to keep track of.

 

[The Napkin]

2 more goals last night pushes them to a pretty respectable 19.2% (9 for 47) which is tied for 14th in the league with the Avs. Even more eye opening is that after my last update had them 2 for 19 they're 7 for the last 28. Daddy like.
 
Bergeron's goal last night was the first of the 9 by a forward but that's misleading since imho you should count Chara's 3  as a forward the way he's put in front of the net. Where he has looked great, showing off nifty hands (the goal last night esp so) and a knack for winning battles along the boards. We've been shouting for it for years and they finally listened. Clearly when Claude retires they should hire us.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Is it Chara up front that makes the PP go, though, or is it Krug and (to a lesser extent) Hamilton that are making the difference? I think some of each, but mostly the latter.

 

[TFP]

So they currently sit at an incredible 22%, good for 5th in the league. Now, they have had a really good streak going (6 of their last 11) so I don't necessarily expect it to stay at this level going forward, but there is no denying that the PP has now become a strength for them. There is movement, quick puck movement, and less blasting away from the points. I don't know if it's the system change, the personnel change, or both, but it's become really fun to watch now.

 

[Haunted]

It seems like a combination of system and personnel.  They started to move away from the Power Play of 1000 Point Shots last season and now, finally, are completely off it.  They have been pretty successful at overloading one side and then slipping someone in the back door (that's hot) as well, something I'd never seen them do in previous years.
 
Add to that the injection of young, quick players like Smith and Spooner getting PP time, and you have the makings of - shock - a quality Bruins power play.
 
This team is ridiculously exciting to watch right now.

 

[cshea]

The biggest changes to me have been...

1. Chara in front of the net. I was lukewarm in this idea, but Chara's been a lot better than I ever thought he would be. He's not just a big body screening the goalie. He's able to win puck battles along the boards, and the surprising thing to me has been his hands. Despite his size, he's been able to bang in loose pucks around his feet in tight areas. I thought his size would prohibit him from getting his stick on rebounds and loose pucks during net-front scrambles, but he's been fantastic at it. The added bonus is with him down low, they can't look for his shot at the point. It frees up Krug to man the blue line. He's got a plus shot and is far more mobile than Chara so he can walk the blue line and create shooting/passing lanes.

2. Soderberg is the left shot playmaker for the PP they've been searching for since Savard and Sturm left. They love to post the lefty shot up at the left post along the goaline and use him to distribute, particularly the back door play. The crazy thing with the back door Soderberg-to-Smith play is that Smith is coming down to Soderberg's right, which I believe is his blind side due to the eye injury. Soderberg still puts it right on Smith's tape everytime.

Edit: I was wrong, Soderberg's damaged eye is his left one. The passes are still tremendous though.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

The biggest changes to me have been...

1. Chara in front of the net. I was lukewarm in this idea, but Chara's been a lot better than I ever thought he would be. He's not just a big body screening the goalie. He's able to win puck battles along the boards, and the surprising thing to me has been his hands. Despite his size, he's been able to bang in loose pucks around his feet in tight areas. I thought his size would prohibit him from getting his stick on rebounds and loose pucks during net-front scrambles, but he's been fantastic at it. The added bonus is with him down low, they can't look for his shot at the point. It frees up Krug to man the blue line. He's got a plus shot and is far more mobile than Chara so he can walk the blue line and create shooting/passing lanes.

This is exactly right.  Chara plays like a forward, not just a large pylon. 
 
I really can't stand the "logic" that says any big guy can be effective in front of the net.  The best net-front presence the Bruins have had in recent memory was the 5'10" Mark Recchi.  One of the worst was the 6'4" Brad Isbister - it was always frustrating to watch him fail to get his stick on rebounds and loose pucks in front of the net.