I don’t like criticizing teams from the outside looking in because we don’t have the full picture. It’s not like the coaches don’t see what the fans see. They are actively trying to remedy whatever area is ailing the team, and often their decision making is influenced by factors that we are simply unaware of.
In saying that, the Leafs’ powerplay has been mired in an extraordinary slump over the past month. They are 1/42 (2.38%) in their last 17 games.
When teams struggle to score, the pundits come out in full force with the “keep it simple” talk. Get more pucks to the net. Get a dirty one. Work harder. In my opinion, that is not what’s going to fix the Leafs’ powerplay. Simply put, they need to allow their players more freedom.
They’ve tried to completely simplify things recently, which has resulted in their movements looking robotic and players becoming stuck on one option without scanning for or finding others. They also don’t need to overcomplicate anything by drawing up extensive movements or set plays. They just need freedom to move, create and problem solve.
It may look hectic at times but earlier this season, in the moments when each player may not be set in their designated PP spot, they have actually created new routes, patterns and paths to manufacture high danger chances. They can all have their starting positions (top, left flank, right flank, bumper, net front) but once there, they should be allowed to move around and rotate between them.
Even something as simple as this switch below (between Marner and Tavares) can throw off PKers from trying to disrupt any play they had anticipated.
This one simple switch distracts the PKers briefly and pulls their eyes away from the eventual threat in Nylander. It also creates more funnel-like movement, and allows for Tavares to arrive downhill at the net for any potential rebound.
On-the-puck movement creates more space for off-the-puck chances. Also, if you face a super aggressive PK (like the Flames used against them earlier in the week) then being comfortable skating in-zone and using picks from teammates will help you escape any heavy pressure.
Since they are keen on continuing their use of Morgan Rielly on the man advantage, then allowing for these movements will get him out of his spot up top where he has struggled to complete passes. He is an incredibly smart player when he’s not overthinking, and having him move may reignite his offensive instincts.
It also has the potential to move Marner to the top position (I would have him start there), where he can scan the entire ice and choose the best option. I trust him more then Rielly to feed the flanks for one-timers and put passes in the proper spots with the proper weight. If all else fails, he also has the smarts to know when a shot to traffic may be the best option and the skill to shoot for a stick.
I use the word “allow” intentionally when speaking about the freedom they need. They don’t need to be in constant motion during the entire powerplay. All they need is to be allowed to move if its necessary. After you show the opposing PK a few different looks, it will change the way they defend you and potentially open up some of the initial plays you wanted to create.
Being predictable is important in many aspects of the game, but this Leafs team has played together long enough and has so much skill, that they can be predictable to each other while being unpredictable to the other team. They have completed all these switches and movements before and will be able to read off of each other to create chances.
More freedom = more movement = more puck touches = more confidence = more goals.