Zee
Active member
hockeyfan1 said:Andy said:Man, can you imagine how many goals this team would score if they ever got PP's?
It's pretty amazing that a winning team with this much speed and skill, not to mention one completely devoid of grinders/enforcers, obtains so few PP opportunities.
The theory (amongst sports analysts/commentators) is because teams don't want to get too many penalties against the speedy & dangerous Leafs, by not hitting them as much as they should be hit. Also, by being fleet of feet, the only way to truly stop them is by the grabbing, holding style -- the old-fashioned way -- subject to penalties.
Today's game and it's relative absence of enforcers (& grinders to an extent) has paved the way for many of the young talent to play with far less fear, thus making for a better performance both game-wise and skill-wise. This also applies to generational players such as Crosby, Tavares, et al.
What's the theory behind the Leafs being 5-0 on the road and only 2-3 at home? I've heard it suggested that Babcock is over-thinking the line matching with home ice advantage instead of just rolling lines more often like they need to do on the road.