Fogghorn wrote:
that 2nd goal. Zadorov down on top of the crease setting screens. McDonagh giving him a cross check trying to move him from in front of the goal, it was like he was trying to move an oak tree. Big Z boxed out both McDonagh and Nyquist preventing them from getting to Boeser. No assist but that goal doesn't happen without his presence.
Makes me wonder, why are they not using him on the power play? Big Z is just immovable, setting a massive screen. Its a completely different look for the Nucks, and I think it could be really effective to drastically change the structure of their power play at times.
Have Colorado or Calgary ever tried using him like this?
I don't believe Big Z was used much on the power play. He has a pretty heavy shot but isn't great at getting it through traffic, and the couple instances that stand out to me when he was ripping one-timers from the point are the two times his stick exploded, leading to a rush and goal the other way both times. I'm positive Bednar did not use him as a screen down low...perhaps he should have, but he also had more skilled options back then to create traffic in front.
I'll give Zads credit, he has definitely evolved into a smarter player.
I turned the game off when it was 3-1 because the toddler was demanding to watch something else, I look online later to see it went to OT (!!!) and then tuned in to watch the Canucks win it. So surreal. That has to be the single worst loss in NSH franchise history. And the OT winner scored no less as the direct result of a complete defensive breakdown with Ryan effin' O'Reilly on the ice.
I thought I read/heard somewhere that the Canucks are setting an NHL record for fewest shots on goal in three playoff victories so far. Say what you will but the Canucks are getting it done in the postseason exactly how they got it done in the regular season. It's working, though I'm not really sure how.