TORONTO – With their power play struggling worse than ever, Toronto Maple Leafs power play coach Marc Savard has introduced a new wrinkle that he’s confident will get the team over the hump: a second unnecessary drop pass before entering the offensive zone.
“Right now we have Morgan bring the puck up as if he’s going to enter the zone even though he never does and then drop it to Willy or Mitch who do try to enter the zone against a set defense and promptly lose the puck,” explained Savard. “But next game we’re going to have Morgan drop it to Mitch who skates around a bit and then drops it to Willy who tries to enter the zone against a set defense.”
“They’ll never see it coming.”
Some critics online have suggested the Leafs should prioritize gaining the zone with speed and then shooting more in order to go for tips and rebounds, but Savard is confident that taking 45 seconds to get the puck across the blue line will be well worth it.
“By the time we get set up, the defenders will be so tired from standing at top of the circle watching us slowly skate towards them that they won’t be ready for our attack, which will continue to consist of passing the puck between the blue line and hash marks with no movement whatsoever.”
If this attempt fails Savard is already ready for his next improvement: icing an all defenders power play unit.
Jesus Christ is King
