Top NHL analyst rips specific Oilers defence strategy in Stanley Cup Final
Photo credit: Jim Rassol - Imagn Images
Ray Ferraro is among one of the most respected NHL analysts out there, and today he's railing against the Oilers' defence strategy to lob the puck out of the D-zone.
The Oilers have made some quick and drastic changes to their defence this series, with ice time, personnel, and even their tactics. So far, they haven't found the answer.
NHL analyst Ray Ferraro criticizes Oilers lobbing pucks out of defensive zone
One of the things Paul Coffey's been most praised for is encouraging the Oilers defence to make skilled plays with the puck - more breakout passes to their elite forwards rather than chips, flips, and rims out of the zone. That seems to have changed in its head in the Cup Final.
On the Ray and Dregs Podcast recently, Ferraro ripped into the Oilers for getting away from their game, and just forcing the puck out of the zone with flips.
That high flip has become a tactic around the league,» Ferraro said. «And I always hated it because we finally get the puck, and now it's like we're on the punt coverage team. Right? They flip it up, we go down, they've got the puck again.
Like, why can't we pass it out? And if Edmonton's D can get back to make a first clean touch, I think their first play has got to go up the middle of the ice. You rim it around the boards, and Florida just snuffs it out. Like, (Edmonton needs to) get back quick as you can. Maybe that open spot is the middle of the ice, and that backs off their D. And if it doesn't, then you can go to the high flip.
- Ray Ferraro
Like, why can't we pass it out? And if Edmonton's D can get back to make a first clean touch, I think their first play has got to go up the middle of the ice. You rim it around the boards, and Florida just snuffs it out. Like, (Edmonton needs to) get back quick as you can. Maybe that open spot is the middle of the ice, and that backs off their D. And if it doesn't, then you can go to the high flip.
- Ray Ferraro
To be fair, the Panthers relentless and physical forecheck is a major reason why the Oilers have found themselves instead preferring to chip the puck out, instead of making a play at risk of being blown up.
The Oilers don't have any more time to figure it out though. Whether it requires another forward playing deep or the defence making a change, the Oilers need to have an adjustment for Game 6, or the season will be over.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 16 | 985 ANSWERS Top NHL analyst rips specific Oilers defence strategy in Stanley Cup Final Do you think the Oilers are chipping the puck out too much? | ||
| Yes | 886 | 89.9 % |
| No | 99 | 10.1 % |
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