OpIv37
11-15-2011, 10:52 AM
For years, it seems like the Sabres have struggled to exit the defensive zone, even after having the puck in open ice. They often get forced to double back or make a backwards pass, which kills the speed/momentum of the forwards on the rush up ice and allows the defense to get in position.
I noticed this a while back, but I didn't think much of it because not every breakout is going to be clean in hockey.
But, last night something occurred to me: do the Sabres ever force their opponent to do the same thing? I started watching Montreal and I noticed they had to double back or turn around in their own zone MUCH less often than the Sabres.
Now, granted, I only paid attention to the opponent doing this for most of one game, and that's not really enough of a sample size to draw any conclusions. But has anyone else noticed this? Is it just my perception that the other team doesn't do it as much, or is this a real issue?
I noticed this a while back, but I didn't think much of it because not every breakout is going to be clean in hockey.
But, last night something occurred to me: do the Sabres ever force their opponent to do the same thing? I started watching Montreal and I noticed they had to double back or turn around in their own zone MUCH less often than the Sabres.
Now, granted, I only paid attention to the opponent doing this for most of one game, and that's not really enough of a sample size to draw any conclusions. But has anyone else noticed this? Is it just my perception that the other team doesn't do it as much, or is this a real issue?