Well, one Swiss born player named Mark Streit has established himself as a solid powerplay specialist who can make teams respect the point shot and not key on the lower slot area.
With that being said, if the Canadiens can’t get their PP back on track soon, maybe Bob Gainey should consider recalling Yannick Weber from Hamilton to give the Canadiens a point shot presence, something they are sadly lacking thus far.
I’m not insinuating Yannick Weber is the “end all” solution to what ails the Habs’ powerplay, but he could be part of the puzzle which helps improve its effectiveness. Weber isn’t exactly burning up the AHL in Hamilton but has put up respectable numbers for a first year pro (GP-16 G-2 A-4 PT-6 +2 and 42 SON!!). He also didn’t look out of place in NHL pre-season games or in training camp on ice sessions……something to consider.
Adding Weber could be the first step, though there needs to be adjustments made by the coaching staff. The Habs powerplay is a shadow of its previous two year reigning #1 ranking with a 14.6% efficiency rating (26th in the NHL) and a woeful 2 for 26 (7.7%) in their last 5 games.
In my humble opinion, there are numerous reasons for this inefficiency:
- Perimeter play: One too many passes along the perimeter with forced plays to the slot which lead to turnovers (ie- Kovalev to Lang in the last game).
- No point shot presence: There simply isn’t anyone who strikes fear into the opponent’s penalty killing units……no Souray, no Streit!!! Teams are not overly concerned with containing or sending a player to challenge the point shot right now as the Habs don’t have anyone beyond Andrei Markov who is more of a playmaking defenseman, not a feared point shot. They are collasping four players down low and taking away space from creative players like Kovalev, Koivu and Plekanec. The Habs need a point shot to open up space in the slot and along the boards.
- Get a “Tomas Holmstrom” presence in front of the net: If it means sticking Guillaume Latendresse or another big body in front of the net, then please do it!! The Habs’ PP is making it far too easy for the goaltenders to see any incoming shots. They need to set up a screen in front of the crease, not just to block the goalie’s view but to occupy a defenseman down low which would open space along the boards for their playmakers to make plays or take shots. I can’t remember too many times when a player in front of the net deflected a shot for a goal…..maybe 2-3 times!!
- Don’t force the play: Too many times, players have been guilty of forcing plays where there aren’t any. The cross ice pass is a prime example of that and teams are defending against it. It was successful last year but has dried up since then…..if it’s open fine but don’t be one dimensional or tunnel visioned with the play.