Stay alert for any trap
Bruins prep for Ottawa tactic
The over-coaching in the NHL sank to a ludicrous low during a Lightning-Flyers game in Tampa on Nov. 9, 2011.
Bruins fans unfamiliar with what happened that night will, unfortunately, probably have a better idea as they watch the Bruins and Senators face off in their first-round playoff series tomorrow night in Ottawa.
Tampa Bay was coached then by Guy Boucher, now the Senators coach, and the foundation of his on-ice system was a very passive 1-3-1 neutral zone defensive formation. In it, the Bolts did not send in a single forechecker; they just sat back and waited for the opponent to try and bring the puck up ice.
So seven times in the first period that night the Flyers’ defensemen simply hung onto the puck in the defensive zone, stood still and made no effort to move forward. It was a brilliant bit of mockery and ridicule by Flyers coach Peter Laviolette. Any puck fan who hasn’t see it should find the video online.
With fans booing loudly, the referees finally figured out that they’d just whistle play dead and have a faceoff in the Philly zone, even though the Flyers were as much within the rules in doing nothing as were the Lightning.
We will not see a reprise of such disgraceful nonhockey during this series, although it would be kind of fun. But the ultra-conservative system Boucher’s team still plays will be a big part of the story in the Bruins’ return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.
“We’ve got to play behind their defense,” said Bruins interim coach Bruce Cassidy. “Between the two blue lines, we can’t let that become a major obstacle for us.”
It has been much of this season, though the B’s have been a bit better the last two games at getting pucks through the trap and deep into the Ottawa zone.
“They’re very defensive,” said the Bruins winger Brad Marchand. “They don’t give up a whole lot. Where they thrive is on turnovers. Their system is basically to clog up the neutral zone and get turnovers and go from there. You do have to be very aware of how you play with the puck. You have to take care of it.”
Fans will see the Bruins trying a few different approaches to beating the trap. Sometimes getting the puck up ice very quickly; often a defenseman hanging back with the puck, waiting as the forwards swing through the neutral zone, trying to create an open passing lane; at times, there will be a high flip above the zone.
“It changes play to play,” said defenseman Kevan Miller. “We want to get the puck going north quickly, but when you can’t do that and they get their whole five back, it makes it difficult to get through the neutral zone. We have to kind of pick our way through.
“Our decisions are predicated on what’s happening. If they’re changing, you have to try and go quickup. But then when they have five back and they’re not pressuring, you have to slow down sometimes. That (high flip) is something we’ve incorporated, where you’re just trying to get it behind their (defense) and forecheck.”
If the B’s do get the puck deep, the challenge is to score goals. In going 0-31 against Ottawa, the B’s scored only six goals and five came on power plays.
“Lack of finish, I think first and foremost,” said Cassidy of his team’s greatest challenge. “We didn’t score enough goals to win. We want to be able to get a lead and extend a lead. That (is) a good formula for us; easier said that done.”
Bruins notes
General manager Don Sweeney said he talked with B’s draftee Anders Bjork, the quick and talented Notre Dame winger, and is “letting him sort through what he wants to make (for) his decision.” The B’s could also add juniors Zachary Senyshyn, Jeremy Lauzon or Jakub Zboril once their seasons are done. . . .
Fourth-liner Noel Acciari (upper body) is out for Game 1. Goalie Anton Khudobin (illness) missed practice, as he underwent tests. . . .
For the Senators, Norris Trophy co-favorite Erik Karlsson, who sat out five of the last seven games with foot and leg injuries, will play. Also expected to play are center Zack Smith and defenseman Marc Methot, who had part of a finger tip severed by a March 23 Sidney Crosby slash.