Why The Devil's Can Not Score Goals(On the Powerplay and 5 on 5)

by Dean Spadavecchia on Sep 24, 2011 11:55 AM EDT

Over the last few seasons the Devil's powerplay has been terrible. The only way they have been able to score on it was when Kovalchuk took a one timer, or someone else took a shot from the outside. So I am going to tell you what the Devils need to do in order to have a successful powerplay.

The Devils have to drive to the net. It is as simple as that. It is almost frustrating to see the Devils pass on and on between Kovalchuk, and whoever else is on the point. And when someone takes a one timer either the goalie covers it up, or the defense clears it, or sometimes it bounces off so hard that a Devil can get it back and pass it back to the point.

So hopefully, Pete Debeor can convince someone to drive to the net other than Tedenby and Sestito(because they do but are so small and ineffective). Someone like Nick Palmieri, or any other power forward the Devils may have. Which brings me to my next point. What the Devils need more than a defenseman is a powerforward, which they can draft, trade for, or sign.

In conclusion, the Devil's forwards must drive to the net to score goals, especially Kovy. Kovy has the size and skills to finish off any rebound before the goalie even knows what happened. However, it is also on the other big guys in the lineup(Bernier, Palmieri, Zubrus) to drive to the net and score goals for the Devils.

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I wish it was this simple

In my opinion, a successful powerplay is one that can cycle the puck to set up opportunities for itself – simply driving the net allows the defense to clear because players cannot drive through one another automatically at this level.

In my opinion, a successful powerplay is one that can cycle the puck to set up opportunities for itself – and this should start from the half boards.

Starting a cycle from the half boards does not allow the defense to pressure the puck because that would leave other shots open.

Obviously, this is not the only way to have a successful powerplay. I also think it is imperative that we start screening goalies. Putting a big guy and having him on the goalie is one of the best ways to distract the goalie and make him feel frustrated and uncomfortable. However, this is not always the smartest strategy because so many shots are blocked in the NHL, keeping one guy in front of the net all the time allows the defense to play the shooting lanes and blocks these shots.

Versatility is the key – showing a variety of looks is the best way to keep teams off balance in today’s NHL.

by David Fine on Sep 24, 2011 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

Versatility is the key – showing a variety of looks is the best way to keep teams off balance in today’s NHL.

I agree with this. The Devils have the players in Elias, Parise, Josefson, and Tedenby to play the half boards game, but they don’t mix up the strategy enough. The point men have to be a threat to sneak down and cut through the middle of the defense, and the forwards on the PP have to rotate around and occasionally attack from the L wing side (Zajac and Kovalchuk’s side) rather than strictly from the R wing half boards (where the aforementioned four are stationed). The whole PP is just too stationary, not fluid enough

Also, the Devils have employed a lot of one-dimensional big guys in the past to stand in front of the net, but they have to be able to do much more than just block the goalie’s vision. When the puck is loose off a rebound or off defensive pressure, they need to be able to jump on it and either get a rebound shot off or re-establish solid possession. Putting Steckel or Clarkson in front doesn’t achieve this as well as having Zajac or Zubrus or Parise around the net – but it’s all timing. It’s very tough to coordinate the arrival of the screen with the point/half boards shot.

by dr(d)evil on Sep 25, 2011 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Clarkson is good enough to deflect pucks and screen the goalie, since it doesn’t really involve skating, he’s not that bad at it. Ill always remember his goal in game 5 against the canes, which ended up being the only goal of the game.

And Kovalchuk speeds away, great moves, busting through, DID YOU SEE THAT?

by KovyisLove on Sep 25, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Who could forget that goal?

I went nuts when that happened. I was also happy when Clarkson ran over Cam Ward earlier in the game after the Marty bump in Game 4.

Of course, Game 7 (which I was at), still gives me nightmares

by David Fine on Sep 26, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Need to have someone up in the crease

The Devils never have anyone up in the crease agitating the goalie, which is what the Rangers and Flyers do to great success. They need to start doing this.

Also, it would help if they actually shoot sometimes. I’ve seen countless 5-on-3 PP’s where they get one or zero shots because they just pass it around the whole time.

by KenKen on Sep 26, 2011 3:58 PM EDT reply actions