Jump to content
The Official Site of the Vancouver Canucks
Enter Search Term. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search.
Forum Closure ×
Canucks Community
Forum Closure
  • entries
    43
  • comments
    109
  • views
    15,230

5 on 5 and Crease Crashing

Mozy

Entry posted by Mozy

179 views

 Share

The Canucks so far this season have relied on a powerplay that was top 3 in the league and they were making teams pay for taking penalties. As the red hot power play has cooled so have the Canucks winning ways and goal scoring. In games the Canucks haven't had a chance to work the man advantage, they have struggled to find the back of the net because of their lack of aggression in getting the puck to the net.

Riding a hot powerplay, the Canucks 5 on 5 offense was non-existent and they weren't aggressive. Time and time again we watched other teams crash the crease and as a result, good things happen. The Canucks looked to have finally learned that last night as their scoring woes were thrown out the window. The Canucks offense right now with out Daniel Sedin and the host of others injured is one dimensional and plays an overly defensive game. The Canucks conservative play has been their detriment on nights where one player doesn't stand out and single handedly win the game.

Against the Avalanche the Canucks finally figured out for themselves that crashing the crease, going to the net, and not backing off is the key to victory. It seems whenever a goalie faces the Canucks they get hot. Or have an outstanding game trying to out duel Luongo. The Canucks key to victory is crashing the net. They don't have to be dirty like some teams, but they're a fast team that utilizes their speed to get back up ice and then fall short by not going into the crease. Henrik got two of his three goals by going to the net, Bernier was left wide open in front, and Hansen potted his in similar fashion.

The Canucks showed us a glimpse of the offense and the style of play that we've come to expect from a team which on paper is one of the best and well balanced teams in the league. With players finding their own while injuries run rampant, the Canucks have to find a way to win 5 on 5. The Canucks in their recent three game losing streak would get frustrated without the man advantage and it showed in their lack of goals. In the 3 game losing streak they managed to score just 3 goals. The Canucks, victims of a terrible schedule have a week between games and have lots of time to take what they did in Denver, and make sure they utilize that same play, mentality, and style of play to victimize the Avalanche in what stretches the definition of a "home and home".

 Share

4 Comments

Recommended Comments

-DLC-

Very well said. Likely the other goaltenders getting "hot" against us has a lot to do with being able to do their job unobstructed and free of any real traffic in front. We need to make it more difficult for them and I think you're right in how it paid off last night when we did go hard to the net. I really enjoyed reading your blog...well written and bang on. We play best when there's some real drive and intensity there - laid back and complacent just don't cut it.

Link to comment
DownUndaCanuck

Crashing the net also helps the defence too. Schneider's goal is a perfect example of this, with Burrows completely blinding the goalie in Colorado. Hopefully this will help our D pot a few more goals themselves.

Link to comment
BedBeats™2.0

This team is always successful playing an aggressive forchecking come puck possession style in the offensive zone.

Im curious if AV and the coaching staff will tinker the role of the 3rd line again when we have Danny...and later on Demo back in the lineup.

I liked the Welly/Bernier/Raymond line of last year.....just because it was certainly harder for the opposition to match lines when the 3rd line players are geared towards offense.

The last few games we got to see a traditional checking 3rd line...and it served the team well.....wearing down the Avs and Wings.

Link to comment
Pinhead

Well written post and I agree with the others that sticking bodies in front of the other goalie leads to goals.

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...