Mustard and Blue

pred303 wrote:58 goals scored now in the past 30 games.. 1.93 goals per game
85 goals scored now in the past 44 games.. 1.93 goals per game
maybe we're simply a 1.93 goals per game type offensive team?

we're a true offensive juggernaut.

I'm trying to figure how we got the .93

Well, it all makes sense when I read it. Of course, I'm still a relative noob to hockey so I cannot make these detailed analysis on my own. What I can do is say what I see from my level, which is one up from a casual hockey fan. What I do see, and all too frequently, are the times that we DO actually have someone in front of the net, (OK, not THAT frequently, LOL), when the pass is made across and the shot is either whiffed on completely or scooped up and over, or outside the net. We create and get those chances but consistently do not bury them deep in the throat of the net. I've seen a few of our guys do this but mainly I notice Arnie being the one who misses. If we can get those chances past the goalie and on target then THAT would be the finishing that I currently see as missing

It is hard to understand that there's things that are actually "set plays" in hockey, that's for sure. (It's even worse when you're watching a bunch of minor leaguers, believe me).

The idea of "finishing" a play is that third adage in the SPS system - Skate, pass, shoot. The last part of any set play, whether it's to drive towards the net, go outside and sweep around behind the net, or to pass at the last second to a trailer, is to shoot the puck on net. Sometimes, though, guys are thinking too much about what they're doing that they lose control of the puck - and it goes bouncing off their stick and behind the net, or the goalie gloves it easily.

jwhouk wrote:.................. Sometimes, though, guys are thinking too much about what they're doing that they lose control of the puck - and it goes bouncing off their stick and behind the net, or the goalie gloves it easily.

Do you think there's any relevance in what you say here as to our problem? In that our guys are over thinking themselves out of scoring?

ChasUK wrote:Do you think there's any relevance in what you say here as to our problem? In that our guys are over thinking themselves out of scoring?

The mind is their own worst enemy. Prime example would be Mason's meltdown last season.

Truth is, when guys aren't thinking and are just reacting, you get... well, you saw what Dumont and Arnott did on goal numero ocho. That was one good player just knowing that the trailer would be there, putting the puck where he knew his teammate was going to be, and BAM - that teammate knocking it to make it rain hats.

And yes, sometimes the mind does a number on you. You could be a hockey hall of fame shoo-in, but suddenly you let in a bunch of little, stupid goals against a team that you owned in the regular season, and suddenly you can't stop a beach ball when it rolls slowly towards your net. You get so messed up, you end up getting pulled mid-way through a game, and you never see another minute in net the rest of the playoffs. (Much to the chagrin of the rest of the Western Conference playoff teams and the Pittsburgh Penguins last year, of course.)

From peewee on up, coaches try to take the "mental" out of the game and just have their players react to the puck. These guys have so much to think about out there already that if you can't put certain things into automatic, you're going to end up tripping over your own skate.

Sully really plays better when he reacts and isn't thinking about the play. I notice it with him and erat more than anyone.

Bad news of the year: Erat is hurt. Probably four weeks, according to Trotz's post-game remarks on NHL.com.

That means our three big guns - Arnott, Leggy, Erat - are out and hurt.

This is going to be gut-check city.