Article: The Wild Have Joined the Five-Forward Power Play Experiment

[Robert Brent]

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[IllicitFive]

At least trying something, I will give the wild credit for trying to fix what hasn't been working, though maybe a bit later than they should have. Putting Ek where Rossi is and sliding Kap in for NoJo, I will be intrigued to see what it looks like. While Spurge and Faber have been capable puck movers, neither has what would be considered "a bomb" for the blue line or much of a threat to drive to the net, like a Makar. In the future I would like seeing a Zeev, if he lives up to the hype to driving offense, and Jiricek, because well clapper power, manning the point for those reasons.

Besides the change in personnel, I would love to see a change in style (which may be due to who we have on the ice). I am tired of the slow on the edges passing, it makes it seem instead of driving the play they are waiting for a PKer to fall down to open space. I believe in responsible chaos, pucks to net, swarm the goalie, and snap your passes around forcing the PK to scramble a bit. Doing this puts pressure on the high man and wingers/bumper to also cover back if a defender drops down to prevent a shorty going the other way.

This could apply to offense as well, wasn't it just a couple of years ago the wild thrived at potting greasy goals? This is where Ek is an asset, they could use a Brazeau with size and even Hartman when he is on his mean streak to get a tip or force home a loose puck. It feels this year there is too much wanting the pretty goal from the point or Ovi's office.

[Citizen Strife]

I wonder if they go back to 4-1 once Buium and Jiricek show up.  Faber is a 'decent' offensive option, but he and Spurgeon are probably more valuable on PKs at this point.

[Patrick]

The Wild PP struggles because of mentality, not scheme.  Too many no look Zuccarello passes to an unmanned point or net front with zero Wild players present. Shoot the dang puck.  Its like running the football.  Keeps the defense honest. The passing lanes open when the PK has to block shots.  Everyone on the planet knows Zucc isn't going to shoot.  He isn't the only one either.  Outside of Boldy (and Kap when he is healthy)  the Wild PP doesn't like to shoot the puck.  Keep It Simple Stupid.

[raithis]

1 hour ago, Patrick said:

Shoot the dang puck.

The offense in general struggles with this.  All the other team needs to do is to close the gap on the puck carrier ona a 3-on-2 and the puck carrier will immediately wait for the all 5 players to get in the zone.  Of course, generally.the other team gets to their defensive zone sooner, and then we lose possession.

I understand there is more open ice on a 2-on-1, but on 3-on-2s we just wilt to any challenge whatsoever.  Shoot it.  If there's a rebound, you have twice as much chance to get the puck back and put it on goal again.

I don't understand why we opt to wait for the other team's entire defense to get back.  Earlier in the season we jumped on those opportunities.  And then after a bit and people started dropping to injury, we just kind of stopped pushing.

It's good that everyone might be good-to-go to for the postseason, but I worry that it's going to be like every other time when Kaprizov comes back from injury, and the team starts expecting him to score everything.  Everyone needs to chip in offensively.

 

[hydguy75]

Here is every Wild fan's house this season...

[mnfaninnc]

I hate the 5 forwards. I've watched 4 PPs using this strategy. We got 1 goal but all 4 turns looked like dumpster fires. The main issue has to do with up at the point, our forwards "struggle" to hold the puck in.

Fact is, forwards are not very good at the angles to hold pucks in and the defenders are. Faber does an excellent job at it, and for what it's worth Ryan Suter was very good at this too. This particular skill extends zone time and can create odd man advantages. 

As things are, the PP is a bit more dangerous with 5 forwards until possession is lost. Then it takes them 40 seconds to get back set up. Go back to the 4-1 set up, and I'd actually prefer a 3-2 next season with the addition of Buium and Jiricek. Jiricek would be a shooter from Zuccarello's spot, or in the Ovechkin office area.

Also, I see some units can do this because they have ultra talented forwards. We have 1 of those injured. We've got a couple more who are really good. We don't have the personnel to put out a top PP unit at this time. I don't think anyone is mistaking Johansson for Tavares.

Edited 4 hours ago by mnfaninnc

[Scalptrash]

On 4/1/2025 at 11:57 AM, Patrick said:

The Wild PP struggles because of mentality, not scheme.  Too many no look Zuccarello passes to an unmanned point or net front with zero Wild players present. Shoot the dang puck.  Its like running the football.  Keeps the defense honest. The passing lanes open when the PK has to block shots.  Everyone on the planet knows Zucc isn't going to shoot.  He isn't the only one either.  Outside of Boldy (and Kap when he is healthy)  the Wild PP doesn't like to shoot the puck.  Keep It Simple Stupid.

You forgot the dump and chase on the power play. Might as well just pass it to them, it's a turnover almost every time.

When they finally do have possession and finally take an actual shot, it's always over the net. I've never seen so many poor shooters, at least since Mites.

Edited 1 hour ago by Scalptrash