NHL Playoff Thoughts Part II
The NHL’s playoff adage has long been that strong special teams play is the key to winning the Stanley Cup. Never has this been more true than this season, when officials have had no qualms about calling penalties in situations they’ve shied away from in the past. This season’s playoffs have seen staggering number of 5 on 3 power plays and referees have not hesitated to call ticky-tack penalties in overtime or late in the third period.
Think about how much this affects the importance of special teams. There used to be entire parts of games (late 3rd period, overtime) where the ability to kill penalties and score on the power play was mostly useless–now solid special teams are the key to these parts of a. Now, instead of a solid power play earning a team a 1-0 first period lead, it’s possible it can win them a game in the 4th overtime.
Another theme of this year’s postseason has been the game’s development into a dump, chase, and forecheck contest. While the new rules have opened up the ice, the larger effect has been that it has become nearly impossible to stop a well organized forecheck. The league’s crackdown on hooking and holding has made it impossible for defensemen to stop or even slow down forwards chasing a puck that’s been dumped in. It also made it difficult for defensemen to pry the puck away from forwards who control it behind the net or along the boards. Dont’ be surprised if when it’s all said and done, the team drinking from the Stanley Cup is the one with the best special teams and most relentless forecheck.
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