The young and skilled generation of the NHL doesn’t shine at the defensive end, but rots out historic goal readings at the offensive head. Sports expert Kimmo Kuhta misses the low-key and emotional playoff puck.
At the opening of the Western Conference finals early Wednesday, Colorado and Edmonton broke as many as 14 hits on the board, with Avalanche at home from 8 to 6. The last time a single playoff game saw so many goals was seen 37 years ago.
Sports expert, former top hockey player Kimmo Kuhta is amazed that the trend continues in the playoffs as well.
– The fact that goals are rotten in the playoffs as well is really strange. Especially when goalkeeper gaming has also developed wildly, Kuhta ponders.
Last night, the final series of the Eastern Conference kicked off under the command of the New York Rangers and the goals were seen in good hands again. At home, the Rangers beat the reigning champion Tampa Bay, who finished in the match series as a pre-favorite, 6–2.
What makes the reading special is that the Tampa Bay gate is guarded by the world’s best goalkeeper. Andrei Vasilevski.
According to Kuhta, the phenomenon is not even explained by individual goal-rich games. This is a comprehensive change.
– Isomalic games come every round these days. There are certain teams that are built to make but also score a lot of goals. Good examples are Edmonton, Colorado and Florida.
Young skill players don’t always shine on the defensive end
There are, of course, several different reasons behind the paint industry. According to Kuhda, one of the most important is the skill level of the new generation and the attitude towards gaming.
Skilled young players are even more prepared to attack when they enter the league, and through that they also get more responsibility and minutes on many teams.
– The new generation that has entered the NHL in recent years is full of skilled, skating and attack-oriented players. The stars are so hard these days that they have had little to care about defensive play in the junior series, and it has not yet been properly taught.
The increase in overall skill level is directly reflected in the increase in your team’s goal scores, but it also has implications for the other end.
– It turns out that the defense game may leak when there is a lot of puck losses at the attacking head. It also seems that the importance of defense is not felt as great as before, Kuhta line.
Instead, more is being invested in the game of superiority and special situations every year.
Can I still play hard in the playoffs?
According to Kuhta, it is not at all surprising that the increase in skill levels in the regular season goals is surprising, but the continuation of the trend in the playoffs will also confuse the former top hockey player.
In the playoffs, the so-called “prison rules” have been eliminated, which has limited the physicality of the game and increased the amount of ice. The old unwritten rule that you can play harder when the playoffs start is becoming obsolete.
– Taklata is still available, but the hooks and hooks have been dealt with really carefully, especially this season. Of course, playing with superiority always creates more places to play than playing with a level playing field, Kuhta says.
Regarding the rule changes of recent seasons, Kuhta also mentions that when the puck goes overboard in the attacking end, the start always stays in the attacking area, also increasing the starting heads and thus the scoring situations.
For a large part of the hockey audience, an increase in the number of goals can increase the entertainment value of the sport, but Kuhta disagrees. Mere goals and great puck performance can leave a straightforward taste in the playoffs.
– I enjoy low-key and emotional fighting games where you tackle and melee in front of a goal after a whistle. I want to see the goals, but fourteen hits is half too much, Kuhta concludes.