Way back on
Feb 29th I said:
Then on
April 7th, I said this:
A HUGE issue is that we don't have modern concepts of offence going here.
First of all, it's great we are layering our screens. But we are not doing it in the right way. Also this strategy falls down in the playoffs. Nashville is collapsing so our screens are just more shot blockers.
The other issue is that we have skilled players as the screen right on top of the goalie. This doesn't work as well in today's NHL. First of all, goalies like Aiden Hill are now known to be point blank chance specialists. The tighter you are to the goalie, the harder it is to roof the puck and the more you play into "box control" which is where we cut off aerial angle with hand positioning.
Like if you watch EP even in this diminished state, he is "trying" by standing in front of the net. But he is right on the goalie. Unless the defenceman completely loses him and let's him not only grab a rebound but swing it to either side, this is now one of the lowest percentage plays.
The better offensive lines in the NHL now are doing a rotating swing for the net front. You carry the puck behind the net which should pull the defenceman, preferably with another forward going the opposite way. That guy going the opposite way re-enters the slot in the dead spot in the zone. If he's not open or the puck carrier can't make that pass, you reload, rinse and repeat.
Every player on the line at some point will end up in the slot. This does a few things - lots of movement makes it easy to "lose" coverage. Because the slot player reads the right depth, you're generally higher and it is easier to try for aerial angles. Finally, it is easier on the bodies of your skilled guys. They are not simply just standing there and eating cross-checks in exchange for a chance at whacking it back into the goalie's pads.