Defence.....
- Thread starter The List Of Jericho
- Start date
glovesave_35
Name
The general rules of winning formulas get thrown out the door when you have two players of Crosby and Malkin's caliber.
Merci Saku
Registered User
KingsFan7824
Registered User
Yes, until next year when a team will win some other way. If the Pens win next year, with Letang, but no Malkin, well then having two top centers is overrated.
Every team is different. Pittsburgh happened to make it work. Not every team has one of Crosby or Malkin though, let alone both.
Prairie Habs
Registered User
- Oct 3, 2010
- 11,965
- 12,382
Well, the other rule of thumb is you can't win without an all-star centre and the Preds lost theirs before the finals even started. One axiom or another was going to be broken this SCF.
- Jun 13, 2010
- 40,539
- 18,709
As someone said, the Pens defense is always under rated.
Dumoulin - top pairing dman
Hainsey - #4/5
Maatta - Top 4 dman
Daley - Top 4 dman
Cole -#4/5
Schultz - 4/5
With the pairings they ran they had balance. Any pairing could go against any line the other team through out there. They basically had 3 2nd pairings. Defense by committee. Nashville had an impressive top 4 but it was a black hole after that.
Besides, defense is a team effort. You still have the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin helping you play defense when the puck is in the defensive zone. Defense does not fall purely on the defensemen.
Dumoulin - top pairing dman
Hainsey - #4/5
Maatta - Top 4 dman
Daley - Top 4 dman
Cole -#4/5
Schultz - 4/5
With the pairings they ran they had balance. Any pairing could go against any line the other team through out there. They basically had 3 2nd pairings. Defense by committee. Nashville had an impressive top 4 but it was a black hole after that.
Besides, defense is a team effort. You still have the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin helping you play defense when the puck is in the defensive zone. Defense does not fall purely on the defensemen.
As others pointed out anybody who plans to build defense like the Penguins and wants to go far in the playofffs better hope they have Crosby and Malkin like players up front
glovesave_35
Name
It doesn't really count as a broken axiom when they had their #1 center for as long as they did in the playoffs. Not to me, anyway.
ChiefWiggum
Registered User
The 2016 and 2017 Penguins teams are all about depth and the ability to trust all lines. They won by playing a team game based on grit, hard work and determination and they're team system that every player bought into was able to carry them when they lost multiple key players.
Their defense is mediocre and has no ability to effectively break the puck out. But each defenseman knew what he could and couldn't do and bought into the team system of "just rim the puck" and each defenseman did it every time
Their defense is mediocre and has no ability to effectively break the puck out. But each defenseman knew what he could and couldn't do and bought into the team system of "just rim the puck" and each defenseman did it every time
Zirakzigil
Global Moderator
This. They had some nasty injuries too. Cole played with a broken rib and hand during the finals. Depth made up for the fact Letang was injured. You could have the best defenseman in the world, but if hes surrounded by crap its not going to matter.
irunthepeg
Board man gets paid
Which is funny because from around 2012-2014 it seemed like everyone was thinking the two star centre model would ultimately hinder the team. It's funny how they had that conference final series against the Bruins where they had no offense and then they turned it all around again and won 2 straight Cups.
There's not one winning formula to the Cup. If you have a star #1 defenseman, you'll probably lack in some other area. I think it's about knowing where you excel, where you lack, and trimming off some of where you excel to help where you lack.
You know who doesn't know this? Our ownership. But yet, they feel smarter than everyone else about hockey.
KeithIsActuallyBad
You thrust your pelvis, huh!
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Ask Jim Rutherford how much you need defensive studs to win a Cup.
In reality you need 6 guys who won't let you down.
In reality you need 6 guys who won't let you down.
BB88
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2015
- 40,862
- 20,465
Defense carried Nashville to finals, they just didn't even have a top6C in the finals.
Karlsson carried Ottawa to Eastern finals.
Not many teams can have player like Crosby, Malkin& Kessell in their primes at the same time.
BonMorrison
Registered User
Systems win championships and the Pens have a absolutely fantastic one. It's why I didn't think the loss of Letang was comparable to the loss of Johansen. Pittsburgh's system is much stronger than Nashville's and is built to overcome issues like that while the Preds faltered a lot when losing Joey.
lexlavender
Registered User
- Jun 9, 2013
- 1,337
- 1,104
There are many ways in which the Penguins system is built to insulate their defense. Having speedy forwards allows for pushing from the D and making sure that if the D misses coverage, the forwards can cover. This isn't the same level as say a Sutter system where everyone is covered at all times, but the forwards are fast enough to get to the point where they can interrupt/obstruct out number attacks. Many times the Penguins don't actually stop rush chance shots, they simply make them very difficult. Once the rush chance gets quelled, they can pick up the puck in their D zone and fling it out to a streaking forward. It helps having an amazing tandem of goalies as well.
However, I believe a stronger possession team could give them trouble.
However, I believe a stronger possession team could give them trouble.
Paperbagofglory
Registered User
- Nov 15, 2010
- 5,557
- 4,730
Because rosters are so watered down the weaknesses in every team is pretty balanced. Nashville had a weak forward group, Pittsburgh had a weak D group, but its easier to play team defense and shut down a team than it is to score a lot of goals. Throw in Malkin and Crosby on any watered down team with 30 clubs and they are competing in the Stanley cup finals, minus a few very bad rosters of course.
Its true that Nashville's defense was carrying their offense throughout the playoffs, but this was not going to last.
Its true that Nashville's defense was carrying their offense throughout the playoffs, but this was not going to last.
