Yep, Fleury is the reason for the outcome as the Jets had several opportunities that should have gone in under normal circumstances.
I have to ask the question. Has hockey changed a lot in the past 30 - 40 years? I haven't watched much until recently, but have noticed that today's plays seem to often follow the same formula. Dump it in, scuffle in the corners and try to get it out front for a 1-timer. Like, as if some corporate optimizer came in to create a formula that statistically is more successful and now all the teams follow it. At first I thought it was just me getting old and reminiscing for the 'good old days', but then I watched some clips from 1960s and 1970s hockey and I found them much more entertaining to watch. Any opinions? I'm curious on what others think.
Well the short answer is yes it has changed. Hockey today is a speed and puck control game with teams often employing a defenseman who acts as a 4th forward. Mobility and fast playmaking is the hall mark today.
Having said that watching the playoffs might not show that at this stage. When you are down to the elite teams playing the defense is so tight that as a coach you have to figure out how to break through. Dumping and chasing is always a good way to gain the zone but puck control is required. I teach my players to cycle and grind it out, the end result of a good cycle is that one timer option many times. For me the game is more exciting now than in the good old days I grew up watching, players are faster and more skilled, time and space is all but eliminated and the teams that can create that are the ones that rise to the top.
-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 17th of May 2018 12:20:04 PM
Well the short answer is yes it has changed. Hockey today is a speed and puck control game with teams often employing a defenseman who acts as a 4th forward. Mobility and fast playmaking is the hall mark today.
Having said that watching the playoffs might not show that at this stage. When you are down to the elite teams playing the defense is so tight that as a coach you have to figure out how to break through. Dumping and chasing is always a good way to gain the zone but puck control is required. I teach my players to cycle and grind it out, the end result of a good cycle is that one timer option many times. For me the game is more exciting now than in the good old days I grew up watching, players are faster and more skilled, time and space is all but eliminated and the teams that can create that are the ones that rise to the top.
-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 17th of May 2018 12:20:04 PM
Good points. I think the conditioning of the players is much better than back then, which results in better speed and faster play in general. Perhaps they are more skilled, but it doesn't show out in the same way IMHO. I still can't get past that I seem to be watching the same play over and over again. It's faster, but that doesn't necessarily translate to more interesting or exciting to me. But maybe as you say, now that it's down to the playoffs it's what we should expect.
The Golden Knights are moving on, what an incredible underdog story. The Jets played well, it's good to see good hockey in Winnipeg. From where I'm sitting the new Jets are way more respectable than the old Jets ever were. Lets hope they go even farther next year!
one big difference I saw between the Jets and the Golden knights is the knights are relentless in their puck pursuit game, like a pit bull with a steak. You never ever see them back off, and this tends to generate their chances.
i think Vegas could go all the way...and then my head will just explode. lol
