Monty Says He’ll Fix 6 on 5…But…

[BobbyBlue]

With it failing 13 times before game (7) it begs the question why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Some very simple fixes were:

1) Teach holding the puck in the corners or along the boards instead of moving it up the boards eating clock time;

2) Flip puck to center ice or beyond before attempting any shot at the empty net or icing the puck;

3) No shooting at empty net until you hit the red-line;

4) Hard on glass for an out of zone clear when 1-3 do not exist;

5) Without puck…pressure wherever possible instead of sitting back forcing the opposing team into quick decisions;

6) If in lane…lay out to block shot or pass attempt otherwise let goalie see the shot if you can’t get there.

Blues don’t do any of 1-6…they just ice puck regularly and take way too many face-offs in their end in 6 on 5 situations…and anyone who watches the Blues knows it…from coaches to TV/Radio announcers to fans…so why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Why did Monty need it to bite the team in the playoffs before demanding a fix beforehand?

[dhsux]

Heard it was worst in the league but can't say I was surprised to hear it.

[Rollie Fingers]

This post makes a lot of sense, I hope that the Blues are reading Blues Talk.

[Red7]

With it failing 13 times before game (7) it begs the question why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Some very simple fixes were:

1) Teach holding the puck in the corners or along the boards instead of moving it up the boards eating clock time;

2) Flip puck to center ice or beyond before attempting any shot at the empty net or icing the puck;

3) No shooting at empty net until you hit the red-line;

4) Hard on glass for an out of zone clear when 1-3 do not exist;

5) Without puck…pressure wherever possible instead of sitting back forcing the opposing team into quick decisions;

6) If in lane…lay out to block shot or pass attempt otherwise let goalie see the shot if you can’t get there.

Blues don’t do any of 1-6…they just ice puck regularly and take way too many face-offs in their end in 6 on 5 situations…and anyone who watches the Blues knows it…from coaches to TV/Radio announcers to fans…so why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Why did Monty need it to bite the team in the playoffs before demanding a fix beforehand?

You missed #1: NO EASY ENTRIES. Blues were WAY too passive at the blue line.

[mlbensinger]

You missed #1: NO EASY ENTRIES. Blues were WAY too passive at the blue line.

This really stood out to me.

[No-Mo-Mo]

Want to see how you clear puck to save the game. Look at what Matthews just did for Toronto. Gets the puck, dudes all around him, he skates a bit and bounces it off the boards to close it out. His sphincter definitely didn't get tight in those moments.

[succinct712]

No excuse for blowing that game last night, none!

[82birds]

With it failing 13 times before game (7) it begs the question why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Some very simple fixes were:

1) Teach holding the puck in the corners or along the boards instead of moving it up the boards eating clock time;

2) Flip puck to center ice or beyond before attempting any shot at the empty net or icing the puck;

3) No shooting at empty net until you hit the red-line;

4) Hard on glass for an out of zone clear when 1-3 do not exist;

5) Without puck…pressure wherever possible instead of sitting back forcing the opposing team into quick decisions;

6) If in lane…lay out to block shot or pass attempt otherwise let goalie see the shot if you can’t get there.

Blues don’t do any of 1-6…they just ice puck regularly and take way too many face-offs in their end in 6 on 5 situations…and anyone who watches the Blues knows it…from coaches to TV/Radio announcers to fans…so why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Why did Monty need it to bite the team in the playoffs before demanding a fix beforehand?

all good points

[theograce]

With it failing 13 times before game (7) it begs the question why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Some very simple fixes were:

1) Teach holding the puck in the corners or along the boards instead of moving it up the boards eating clock time;

2) Flip puck to center ice or beyond before attempting any shot at the empty net or icing the puck;

3) No shooting at empty net until you hit the red-line;

4) Hard on glass for an out of zone clear when 1-3 do not exist;

5) Without puck…pressure wherever possible instead of sitting back forcing the opposing team into quick decisions;

6) If in lane…lay out to block shot or pass attempt otherwise let goalie see the shot if you can’t get there.

Blues don’t do any of 1-6…they just ice puck regularly and take way too many face-offs in their end in 6 on 5 situations…and anyone who watches the Blues knows it…from coaches to TV/Radio announcers to fans…so why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Why did Monty need it to bite the team in the playoffs before demanding a fix beforehand?

You missed #1: NO EASY ENTRIES. Blues were WAY too passive at the blue line.

In the playoffs that often signals fatigue

[somni]

Monty didn't even have this team for a full year. The biggest change he made was the culture. This team went from scared to make a mistake to full on 5-man unit hockey and blocking shots. That's quite a change to make during the season. They were 18-2-2 since the 4 Nations.

They'll fix the 6 on 5. Give Monty and crew a full off-season, camp, and season to fully implement his style.

[skilles]

Coaching/teaching is just not that simple at all, it takes time.

[Bluesfan1978]

Some of it could be system. I also think many of the players the Blues have in the ice can either be small or slow. Others teams have their Best players out to score and once they get moving the puck around they eventually create space to have a chance to score. If you had Broberg and Parayko out there vs Suter and Faulk they are naturally going to get have better reach to get sticks in lanes etc. plus they are better skaters. Same up front Walker, Sunny, Faska, Schenn maybe even Jake are t the most fleet of foot players. Even Buch isn’t. Joesph, Thomas, Torpo, Holloway type players would fare better.

[zamadoo]

Monty: Roster changes will be made this offseason. Rookies and young players will mature.

[Red7]

With it failing 13 times before game (7) it begs the question why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Some very simple fixes were:

1) Teach holding the puck in the corners or along the boards instead of moving it up the boards eating clock time;

2) Flip puck to center ice or beyond before attempting any shot at the empty net or icing the puck;

3) No shooting at empty net until you hit the red-line;

4) Hard on glass for an out of zone clear when 1-3 do not exist;

5) Without puck…pressure wherever possible instead of sitting back forcing the opposing team into quick decisions;

6) If in lane…lay out to block shot or pass attempt otherwise let goalie see the shot if you can’t get there.

Blues don’t do any of 1-6…they just ice puck regularly and take way too many face-offs in their end in 6 on 5 situations…and anyone who watches the Blues knows it…from coaches to TV/Radio announcers to fans…so why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Why did Monty need it to bite the team in the playoffs before demanding a fix beforehand?

You missed #1: NO EASY ENTRIES. Blues were WAY too passive at the blue line.

In the playoffs that often signals fatigue

Well, considering it was a season long issue, I doubt it’s a fatigue factor.

[theograce]

With it failing 13 times before game (7) it begs the question why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Some very simple fixes were:

1) Teach holding the puck in the corners or along the boards instead of moving it up the boards eating clock time;

2) Flip puck to center ice or beyond before attempting any shot at the empty net or icing the puck;

3) No shooting at empty net until you hit the red-line;

4) Hard on glass for an out of zone clear when 1-3 do not exist;

5) Without puck…pressure wherever possible instead of sitting back forcing the opposing team into quick decisions;

6) If in lane…lay out to block shot or pass attempt otherwise let goalie see the shot if you can’t get there.

Blues don’t do any of 1-6…they just ice puck regularly and take way too many face-offs in their end in 6 on 5 situations…and anyone who watches the Blues knows it…from coaches to TV/Radio announcers to fans…so why wasn’t it fixed before game (7)? Why did Monty need it to bite the team in the playoffs before demanding a fix beforehand?

You missed #1: NO EASY ENTRIES. Blues were WAY too passive at the blue line.

In the playoffs that often signals fatigue

Well, considering it was a season long issue, I doubt it’s a fatigue factor.

It wasn’t a season long issue. Was a tale of different seasons within one.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I believe him when he says they will spend the time to fix it. I don't think it's something they didn't try and fix, they just didn't have the proper answer. This is a coaching issue not necessarily a skill issue. You could put the worst 5 players on your roster and not have as bad a time as they did on 6 on 5.


BUT, it's now a mental thing. They had huge issues on the PP when he got here and the PK was solid. THen the PP got good and the PK tanked. 6 on 5 became a problem when they had more leads late. The Blues escapes a lot of those tied up games with wins in OT. They weren't terrible at the 6 on 5 offensively. It wasn't a strength but their 11 goals fell somewhere in the middle third towards bottom third. Goals against was worst. Anyways, definitely something that can be fixed, just middle of season it goes in cycles. only so much time to make change son the fly.