Re-posted from the GDT so it doesn’t get lost…

Since the first preseason game, we have been playing a 1-2-2 NZ trap against any controlled breakout. On the ice though, the players are backing up, backing up, and then standing still as the opponent carries the puck up ice with speed. It renders our forwards useless because they are standing still and not steering the puck to the boards (into a "jump" zone) and then either pins our defensemen up at the blueline (where they are susceptible to a dump-in behind them) or backs them up (giving up the middle of the ice and allowing players to skate right in on goal).

When we have the opportunity to actively forecheck, we have one forechecker on the puck and the two forwards behind them are backing up into a position to trap. No one is taking away the strongside boards and the weakside support is either backing up so far or coming so far into the middle of the ice that they are useless and out on an island.

Defensively in the zone, we are actually playing the same system we’ve been playing for the past two seasons, just much, much more passively. The system is called "1 on box behind" and has been the most popular DZC since the lockout. It is a combination of man-to-man and zone defenses. There is always man-to-man coverage on the puck and a box zone behind them supporting.

This season we are collapsing so deep into the middle of the ice that we are unable to get out to the puck along the boards fast enough to challenge against the cycle and the wingers are so deep in the zone that the opposition’s defense is free to challenge any puck coming up the boards and take their time to make a play with any pass out to them at the point.

These systems could work, but do not fit our personnel. We have to get more aggressive in every aspect of our game.

On the forecheck we must resort back to either a rotating triangle (1-2-2) or 2-1-2 from the opening drop of the puck. To make that successful, we need communication and a lot of hustle. The forwards must be in position to and show the desire to backcheck to allow the defense to step up in transition and force turnovers if we allow the opposition to breakout in the first place.

Against controlled breakouts we can still play a trap, but we have to be more active and aggressive at angling the puck to the boards to allow the second and third lines of defense to challenge in the jump zones.

Defensively, we have to be more aggressive, keep heads on a swivel, and play with desperation whenever there is a loose puck. Wingers must play out higher and the defense as well must be more willing to come off the goal line to prevent the attacking forwards from getting open by backing away from coverage.

It is maddening to watch this team from my perspective…

Goal 1: After consecutive icings by the fourth line, Guite loses the faceoff, puck is cycled deep in the corner, Morrow backs away from the defense into a quiet zone between the defense down low and the winger covering the point where he is fed the puck for a quick one-timer. Great shot by Morrow, not much for Ellis to do unless that hit him. Guite and whomever the strongside winger (I think Belak) were to blame for the faceoff loss and subsequent lack of coverage on Morrow.

Goal 2: Santorelli stops moving his feet on the backcheck allowing the puck-carrier to create a 2 on 1 against Klein. Klein halfheartedly attacks the puck-carrier and leaves Richards wide open in front for an easy goal. Santorelli and Klein to blame for leaving Ellis out to dry there…

Goal 3: Suter steps up in the neutral zone disrupting the oncoming attack, Sullivan is in position to and covers back for Suter taking Eriksson all the way to the front of the net on the initial rush. As it’s happening, despite me yelling at Sullivan through the TV screen, Sully leaves Eriksson all alone standing in Holmstrom territory and proceeds to start heading back to his wing position where Suter is actively defending the puck. The Stars simply throw the puck at the front of the net where Eriksson is still standing and he tips it past Ellis. Suter was seen as the closest man to Eriksson on replay, but that is simply because he saw what Sullivan had done and busted his butt to get that close. Sullivan with the huge gaffe there…

Ellis really had no chance whatsoever on any of the first three Dallas shots tonight, all of course ending up in the back of the net. Truly hung out to dry by his teammates and had every right to be the most vocal person in the locker room during the first intermission although I doubt he was…

Goals 4 and 5 on the PP, not even gonna go there. Weak penalties by both Hamhuis (who really didn’t do anything – Brunnstrom skated into him battling for position, then tripped over Hamhuis’ stick while trying to go after the loose puck) and then Erat for the blatant interference on a draw with less than 5 seconds to go in the first and then Klein for high-sticking Neal going to the net on what would have been another heavily outnumbered attack with a lot of speed against Rinne.

Goal 6 is all on Legwand. Leggy lost the draw cleanly, stayed with Peterson heading to the net, did his best to screen Rinne, and didn’t tie up Peterson’s stick – allowing him to make a beautiful tip on the shot from Skraskins to tack on the sixth goal of the night…

Rinne actually played pretty solidly. Had his moments, but saved the game from being a double-digit affair with some real solid saves. Ellis has to hold his head up high and not give the skaters in front of him the time of day till they put forth a better effort in front of him…

I’ve never been supportive of that idea in the past and still am not completely sold on it now, but…Trotz has to be on a short, short leash.

You cannot change the players to any large extent, but even doing that wouldn’t change anything significant unless the system is changed immediately and that falls on the coaching staff.

There is no immediate candidate that sticks out and screams to me “I’m a good fit to replace Trotz”. Tippett would have been a good candidate, but he is now in Phoenix. I don’t think Lambert would be the best choice either necessarily. Peterson deserves a shot somewhere, but that wouldn’t be too drastic of a change and unfortunately cannot be looked upon as a long-term solution. Laviolette (as Worst pointed out over on HF) might be a good candidate, but is a short-term solution due to his tough demands on the players and emotional nature. That well only goes so far, then it runs dry…

Definitely will be a true franchise defining moment Thursday night. The team has to right itself on the ice or at a minimum show that they are heading in the right direction. I doubt ownership will allow this to continue for too long if it impacts attendance as we all know it will. The pressure will be put on Poile to find a solution and Trotz’s head will definitely be an option presented…

they hit the pipes twice, so I figure some bad luck is involved

At least we shoot the puck. Wait…We pleaded for that all of last year, and now we are just shooting irrelevant shots?

Not to sound like ass, but O well. Why does Nashville even have a hockey team??? Do the fans even care for Hockey there. Wouldn’t you guys rather see Elvis on Skates.