Back to "The System"
Posted 11:52 PM ET | Comments 2
When Dean McAmmond was benched by coach Bryan Murray in Los Angeles, he was given an assignment to watch the team, and tell the dressing room what he noticed was not working. It seems that coach Murray had been right all along in his "get back to basics" approach. McAmmond reported back that the Senators had "wandered so far from our basis system, that we forgot what it feels like to execute that system. Last year, we executed that system so well we didn't have to think about it, it was second nature." Too right! And the Senators are getting back to "The System", finding their zone again, and delivering on the little things that matter.
In the end it was those little things in "The System" that made the difference for the Senators in their 3-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Ottawa played what I consider its best game in months against a hot Montreal team and a hot Montreal goalie, and held the Canadiens scoreless.
Little things like attacking the net and being there to take advantage of the situation, as Spezza demonstrated twice; first on a redirect off a shot from Stillman at the point, then batting a puck out of midair from behind the net, and bouncing it off Habs goalie Carey Price. Although Spezza demonstated unbelievable hand-eye coordination with the latter goal, it was his constant presence around the Canadiens net that allowed him to light up the lamp twice.
Little things like forwards that fold back as hard as possible. Spezza and McAmmond, who seems to have learned something from Murray's disciplinary action, were probably the best at this, falling back defensively, fighting for the puck, and winning more battles than they lost.
The Senators defencemen also denied access to their zone, with Phillips and Volchekiv leading the charge and playing a physical game. Overall, the Senators defence was much better than it has been in a long time, with Redden elevating his game a notch and performing solidly at the blue line. Gerber was solid the whole time, and downright brilliant at times.
The Senators finished their checks, batlled for the puck on the dump in, and took fewer penalties. Their power play was good for two goals once again, and their penalty kill was flawless, allowing the Canadiens only three shots on goal over four penalties. Winning face-offs, passing tape to tape, crashing the net, forcing the Habs to face five players on their rushes; it all paid off handsomely.
Spezza was reported saying that the Senators needed to play "playoff hockey" against the Canadiens because that's what the game demanded. While I may not agree that the hockey we saw was playoff level - there are still undesirable giveaways, and Heatley is still trying to do too much - it was the best hockey the Sens have displayed in quite a while.
The looming playoffs and the battle for first place in the East demands that the Ottawa Senators find that playoff "5th gear", and soon. They have a few games to get back to playing "The System" as if it was second nature, and build up enough confidence and steam to come roaring into the playoffs in top form.
In the end it was those little things in "The System" that made the difference for the Senators in their 3-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Ottawa played what I consider its best game in months against a hot Montreal team and a hot Montreal goalie, and held the Canadiens scoreless.
Little things like attacking the net and being there to take advantage of the situation, as Spezza demonstrated twice; first on a redirect off a shot from Stillman at the point, then batting a puck out of midair from behind the net, and bouncing it off Habs goalie Carey Price. Although Spezza demonstated unbelievable hand-eye coordination with the latter goal, it was his constant presence around the Canadiens net that allowed him to light up the lamp twice.
Little things like forwards that fold back as hard as possible. Spezza and McAmmond, who seems to have learned something from Murray's disciplinary action, were probably the best at this, falling back defensively, fighting for the puck, and winning more battles than they lost.
The Senators defencemen also denied access to their zone, with Phillips and Volchekiv leading the charge and playing a physical game. Overall, the Senators defence was much better than it has been in a long time, with Redden elevating his game a notch and performing solidly at the blue line. Gerber was solid the whole time, and downright brilliant at times.
The Senators finished their checks, batlled for the puck on the dump in, and took fewer penalties. Their power play was good for two goals once again, and their penalty kill was flawless, allowing the Canadiens only three shots on goal over four penalties. Winning face-offs, passing tape to tape, crashing the net, forcing the Habs to face five players on their rushes; it all paid off handsomely.
Spezza was reported saying that the Senators needed to play "playoff hockey" against the Canadiens because that's what the game demanded. While I may not agree that the hockey we saw was playoff level - there are still undesirable giveaways, and Heatley is still trying to do too much - it was the best hockey the Sens have displayed in quite a while.
The looming playoffs and the battle for first place in the East demands that the Ottawa Senators find that playoff "5th gear", and soon. They have a few games to get back to playing "The System" as if it was second nature, and build up enough confidence and steam to come roaring into the playoffs in top form.
they better find a 6th gear if they meet the Leafs in the first round.
Great blog. It's amazing how quickly Mr. Murray has got them back to playing the sort of system we got used to last season.A 6th gear for the Leafs? That must have been a joke.