Rindog's Rant #3

Let’s take a look at the systems that MacT employs with the Oilers. First let’s look at the defensive zone focus. It is no secret that MacTavish stresses that his wingers collapse down very low in the defensive zone. Most times you will see both wingers well below the hashmarks. If we were to look at any positives that this system might bring – we could stretch it and say that it does clog up any short cross slot passes for one-time attempts by the opposition. However, if you watch any of the Oilers games you will clearly see the ease in which the opposition can get a little cycle going and then pass the puck to their wide open defensemen for an attempted shot (scoring chance). Not only does this system allow for a ton of shots against, it allows the opposition Dmen to hold the blueline more often (because the forwards are collapsed so low - they aren't a threat to get pucks fired around the boards). More easy opposition pinches mean more time spend without the puck; which in turn means more chances against. If you look at any other successful team you will notice that the wingers make a conscious effort to stay up higher on the opposition defensemen and only collapse when the puck makes its way to the front of the net. By staying up higher, the defending team forces the opposition to try and create a scoring chance down low in a crowded area (very hard to do). It also forces the opposition Dmen to back out of the zone earlier (for fear of getting beat out of the zone by the closer wingers). What does all of this actually mean in terms of winning and losing? I am going to use shots attempted (which includes shots, blocked shots & shots that miss the net) as an interesting stat. In the last 24 games the Oilers have been out shot (attempts) by a margin of 1406-1164. That means that the opposition has attempted 242 more shots over that span (or an average of 10 shots [chances] per game more by the opposition). Why would a coach purposefully implement a system that is allowing the opposition to continually create more scoring chances? Aren’t scoring chances what determines the outcome of a game?Does MacTavish not see that his defensive system is not working? The Oilers are 25th in the league in shots against. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM: The system that MacT uses in order to try and generate scoring chances is almost non-existent. He tries to employ a dump and chase approach, but does not allow his wingers to fully execute the “chase” part of that system. As an outsider, it seems obvious that our forwards are taught to make sure they do not get caught too deep in the opposition end. For the many seasons that I have watched MacT coach the Oilers – it has looked more like a dump and sit back mentality. There is a myth that circulates around the NHL that the Olers are a fast team??? True – we have fast players, but we are anything but a fast team. A fast team uses it’s speed to drive the puck wide and support the puck carrier. A fast team does not flip the puck in when they are at the blue line (in hopes of getting it back). Sure there are going to be times where the puck has to get deep. But more often than not – the puck is in our possession and the forwards dump it in with no real plan? If you watch teams like Detroit, SJ, Buffalo or Chicago, they almost always have one of the defensemen joining the rush to push the opposition back and create space for entry into the offensive zone. A perfect example of this was demonstrated by our very own Oilers at the 11:29 mark of the first period against the Leafs on March 7. Cogliano gained the zone with speed and another forward pushed the Dman back while Grebeshkov charged into the offensive zone. Cogliano stopped up and hit Grebeshkov with a nice pass that ended up being bobbled (would have been a great chance otherwise). While I commend the Oilers on this attempted zone entry, it needs to happen more than once every couple of games to be considered a “system”. When Chicago came into our rink and beat us on February 3rd, I counted more than 20 times in which a similar system was used by the Blackhawks. It’s no secret that they out chanced us 69-46 on that night. We are currently 28th in the league in shots for. When you couple that with the previosly mentioned stats regarding shots against (25th) – is it any wonder why we never seem to dictate a game? The systems that MacT uses are totally at the mercy of what the other team does that night. If the other team struggles to finish (or our goalie is hot) – we have a good chance to win. If the other team has any kind of finish or if our goalie isn’t at the top of his game – we rarely have a chance to win. How many times this year have you sat back after a game and said to yourself, “Boy, we sure deserved a better fate?” There is only one team in the entire NHL (Wild) that has fewer shots on goal than the Oilers have. When you consider the offensive minded defenseman that we have – you have to scratch your head??To go even further – there is only one team that is currently in a playoff spot that has allowed more shots on net than we have. However, the Panthers are 17th in the league in shots for. The Panthers atleast seem to be willing to give up scoring chances in order to try and create some of their own. Our coach doesn’t have a system that allows our players to take risks to get chances, yet we give up the 2nd most shots in the league?? There have only been 3 games in the last 24 (TB, NSH, PHO) that we have out chanced the oppostion. Unless our players can turn into consistent 20% shooters - we are always going to be battling from behind with the systems the coach uses. Can someone please remind me why Craig MacTavish is such a good NHL coach???