Kraken Practice
Every time the Tampa Bay Lightning picked up a power play opportunity, one of which led to a goal, and on their first two even strength goals, the two that mattered most, the play originated with an errant pass by the Kraken from their D-zone.
The club worked specifically on the issue at practice on Monday. (video montage below)
“The game’s never perfect, you’re gonna turn the puck over, but when you play from good spots and you come back in dependable spots, then you’re defending from the middle of the rink,” Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma told us on Monday morning after practice. “We had that play up the wall, it was a turnover. Had we come back into good spots, we’d have been able to defend.”
That was one example.
It wasn’t a case of forwards “not helping out enough”, as is sometimes the case, as in not gapping properly on the recovery/transition and giving the D-men an outlet. Instead is was miscommunication and players duplicating each other’s efforts. At certain times, two guys doing the same thing or simply being in the wrong place.
Regardless, it ends up looking like the man trying to make the break-out pass is incapable of making a break-out pass. It appears sloppy and it results in turnovers and scoring chances against.
It was the difference in the 5-1 loss on Saturday night. One should also credit the Lightning for playing an very aggressive, disciplined forecheck.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken To Have Last Laugh With Shane Wright?
— Simmer’s Sunday 9; Back To .500, Diving Fines
— Seattle’s puck recovery under pressure and transition drill …
