Well, certainly seems like Foote (or maybe in EP40's own head after the Tocchet years) has decided that once the Canucks have taken the lead, Elias Pettersson becomes Metapod. Defense defense defense.
Petey being the only center they defend to trust a lead could explain his defensive zone heavy deployment, but could also indicate a greater issue of not continuing to pile on once you have the lead.
Wish the canucks had 2C with good faceoffs so we could see how Foote would handle Petey otherwise.
(Image source, my Twitter, @Sapsterr_ , and Natural Stat Trick for stats)
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But did he score?
Interesting.
I’d guess it’s less to do with lacking killer instincts and more with the OZone vs DZone starts. There’s probably also a likelihood that he’s out there with Quinn more when trailing, and given the other team is likely to press 47% GF isn’t terrible.
Petey hasn’t looked like a game breaker, but he’s doing good work. It’s too bad Allvin/Rutherford gambled so heavily on Chytil and Raty as middle-6 centres. We really need a credible 2C to ease the load.
Maybe every game we should be down 2-0 going into the 2nd 😂
I don’t see a problem with this deployment based on the roster. when we are winning it becomes a matchup game, and opponent’s won’t put their offensive guys on for defensive faceoffs. Chytle was also somewhat producing in those minutes as well. The big thing is pettey has to be consistently good at faceoffs, or they need a winger to play with him that is. Ratty is a rookie, that’s a real tough spot to be in as the only guy the coach trusts to win a big draw
I hope he hardens and evolves into petterfree
Ya, it would have been nice if this “management” team kept one of the many great C they had to help out. Horvat, Miller, Lindholm, Suter…. Just one! They literally have created a massive problem out of nothing, and now may have to give up a lot to fix it. Incompetent managing imo, if the season goes to shit it’s 100% on them.
I remember doing a stats comparison in the WCE era, I think it was the “we choked” season.
The WCE had a higher point production against playoff teams, while the Forsberg-Hejduk line had a higher point production against non-playoff teams.
Is one better than the other? One could say the WCE was more clutch, but you could also say they didn’t “get up for the easy games”.