Posted this on the Markstrom page, but thought it might not get seen by many so I posted it here in defense of Markstrom (not that he needs it). I thought he played a very good game.
Granted the rebound ended up a goal, but let's retrace this. The first shot came from what, 30 feet? He kicked it back out in front. This was the bad rebound. The second shot came from 15 feet say? The next rebound was right on the doorstep. Then the third shot goes in. That was the sequence.
This entire episode takes place with the same Coyote (OEL) taking all three shots. Explain to me how an NHL level team allows one guy to walk in from 30 feet, take a shot, follow it up and shoot from 15 feet, and then follow that up, and score from the doorstep? That is the most pathetic excuse for an NHL defensive display you could explain.
No, Marky's first rebound was not controlled well at all. His fault. However, he covers for that by making the next save as well. Now the shooter keeps coming and bangs in the next short rebound as well. The rebound on a hard shot from that distance is not unusual. It was close by. Is Markstrom the only guy on the ice?
The job of any player in a Canuck jersey is to clear rebounds if you are anywhere in the vicinity. If you are in the way of the guy shooting or beside him as he advances to the net, your job is to tie him up, better yet prevent him from getting to the puck period, but at least prevent him from shooting. Not only was this not done once it was not done twice.
This goal was inexcusable and I'm not going to lay the blame on Marky. That guy never gets to the net for the third shot vs. any respectable defensive duo. He actually doesn't get to the FIRST rebound! A goal on that rebound comes from a teammate driving to the net for the rebound. Same goes for the third shot. It was not scored by a team mate driving the net. It was scored by the original shooter on his second rebound.
Anyone blaming Marky for this must have a crush on Sbisa and Bieksa.
I agree with your take on this, especially your comment about making physical contact.
Way too often (and this complaint goes back a long ways) our defence is more interested in playing 'Whack A Mole' with the puck or standing around playing goaltender, rather than actually playing defence. As you point out, if one of the defenders takes the body on OEL, this play is safely over.
The night before, the only LA goal was a deflection off Tanev, who moved to block a shot from well out. Edler was standing in front of Lack, creating the perfect screen for LA, despite the fact he wasn't with an LA player. If Tanev goes out, more along the lines of stick on stick and shoulder into the shooter, and Edler moves to box out the incoming LA player, Lack gets a full view of the shot. Easy save. No harm. The two defensemen literally turned a pedestrian shot on net into a goal against.
Over the years, I have had more than a few apoplectic fits watching Canuck defenders stand behind a goalie, playing second goaltender, while the opposition whacks away at the puck out front of the goal.
Somewhere along the pike, we are going to bring in some defenders that can really, honestly, actually put a shoulder into an opposition player. I'm not suggesting killing someone with a monster hit, just taking the body to make life easier for the goalie.
