Blacker to Kessel... He Scores

by Chemmy on Sep 23, 2010 10:04 AM EDT in Chemmy's Corner

Continuing our frame by frame breakdown series we started yesterday. If you'd like to see one for our defensive implosion check out this morning's FTB.

Kess_one_medium

As we open the scene Phil Kessel has the puck in his power play black hole on the left by the referee. Nikolai "Sneaky Russian" Kulemin is hiding behind the net in the right place for a cross crease tap in given his left-handedness and Bozak is in the slot with all three Ottawa players.

Up top we have Jesse Blacker's leg and Francois Beauchemin is hiding. Let's break down what happened and why this play led to a goal.

First off the Senators triangle is way too tight. They're going to let Kessel make a setup pass to the point which gives the Leafs a ton of options:

Kess_two_medium

Kulemin and Bozak have shifted to put three total bodies in Elliott's way and Blacker has two great options here. The first is to dish to Beauchemin who can fire through a four player screen from his angle. The second?

Kess_three_medium

Give it to the goal scorer. Ottawa shifts their defensive formation way too far to the right to cover Beauchemin dropping to the top of the circle for a shot. In the above cap you can see Elliott still in position for Blacker even with the puck on Kessel's stick.

Kessel is underneath two of the three Ottawa forwards and has an open lane toward the goalie who isn't in position yet and the rest is obvious:

Kess_four_medium

Note the timestamps. In four seconds Kessel makes a pass and Ottawa is forced to choose between two options: a Beauchemin shot or a Kessel shot. In those four seconds Elliott has to move from his close post to the top of the crease and back as Kessel exits his field of view and re-enters.

The Kessel to Blacker back to Kessel and shot takes only two seconds. That's how fast this game moves even in preseason.

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Comments

This is going to be an incredible series.

Resident Capologist

by clrkaitken on Sep 23, 2010 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

I agree! It’s an eye-opener for me to actually be able to see things like how the four players were making up the screen so that a pass to Beauchemin would have been a viable option. Thanks Chemmy!

by melt on Sep 23, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Thirded! Excellent series!

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. I think I need a drink now.

by Wan Ihite on Sep 23, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I’m liking this. Keep it coming.

Leaf, the universe and everything.
Now in year 44 of the 42-year saga.

by 1967ers on Sep 23, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, leafs used umbrella, scored 3 PP goals. I feel vindicated even though its probably because they practiced it today.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Goal!

"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM

by BlueBuds on Sep 23, 2010 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Quick indeed.
I realize it’s a five on three but really when Kessel is on the ice you have to think he is the primary target.

The Leafs are my Rushmore
Certified Grabbo Lover and member of the PPPPP

by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Sep 23, 2010 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

Sure you could overload Kessel there and leave Beauchemin open for the one timer from in real close.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Sep 23, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

not to mention how easy that would make the back door play to Kulie

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

The sabres tend to reverse the triangle against umbrella and let miller cover the guy in front, as an alternative solution.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

This is great. Kessel’s shot wasn’t a rocket but it was quick and caught Elliot moving side-to-side.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 23, 2010 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly. Making a goalie move always opens holes to shoot at. A shooter like Kessel and it’s not even close (a bit of an exagerration). Blacker on the PP – what do you (all) think?

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Kessel knew what he wanted there and Blacker saw the lane open up.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Sep 23, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought so, and good on Blacker for reading it right.
I guess on the flip side getting the puck to your best player/shooter on the PP isn’t exactly genius (No offense intended to Sknny’s squirt PP unit).

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, who knows what the thought process was… and in future games, the D team is going to be more likely to key on kessel in this situation rather than beauch… so at some point we WILL have to mix it up… so make sure all our D men hit the net! And try backdoor passes,! And other varients!

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. I think I need a drink now.

by Wan Ihite on Sep 23, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Variety is good

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought that Kessel fanned on the shot at first. Maybe he was trying to let a rocket go. Remember he was caught saying “that was a bad one”?

I doubt he’s upset with the way he scored, but I think it was a little bit of luck at least

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

in the sow mo replay you see the puck come off his stick and he continues his wing and hits it again. sort of a double tap. it looked like a whip when he originally shot it

by sodonis on Sep 23, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Where does the puck end up going in on Elliot?

"I think somebody made a Toskala in his diaper." - DGB

by Bower Power on Sep 23, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Five hole.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Sep 23, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

under his right leg pad. He didn’t get it all the way down in time.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Those legs opened up like a __________ (insert dirty comment)

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Ottawa Senators Goaltender

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

or just the short form “Lalime”

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

works too

Never expected that meltdown that’s for sure.

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Kessel to McGuire after the goal

That was weak

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if he meant for Elliott, or his own shot.

20 miles to Legoland!

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 23, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

He did seem to whiff on the puck, but he had Elliot moving over way too late anyway so it still went in.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, he clearly didn’t get all of the shot so I think the fact that he flubbed it a bit and it still went in made it weak all around

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Prolly a better goalie would have stopped it, so he isn’t happy to bask in its glow.

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. I think I need a drink now.

by Wan Ihite on Sep 23, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Really?

I missed that

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

It got picked up off Pierre’s mic, so it was kind of hard to hear.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Maguire said “what was that Phil?” and you can hear Kessel say “That was a bad one.”

This is my BOZAK!!!1

by blurr1974 on Sep 23, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

i like how Kessel activly engaged McGuire
I find it hilarious

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice…perhaps I was at the fridge

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

“The Kessel to Blacker back to Kessel and shot takes only two seconds. That’s how fast this game moves even in preseason.”

That’s the best part of hockey.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

I hope Blacker gets a long look in the pre-season. Not expecting him to play for the Leafs this year, but I liked what we saw last night. Smooth skater, decent puck handling and distribution.

He’s still OHL eligible, correct?

This is my BOZAK!!!1

by blurr1974 on Sep 23, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Yes.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Sep 23, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I suspect it was his linemates as he had the whole starting powerplay except Kaberle.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Aulie, Blacker, Gysbers, Gunnarsson, hell, include Luke the Young…I’m really excited for some of our defensive prospects.

YAY FULL CUPBOARDS.

"I think somebody made a Toskala in his diaper." - DGB

by Bower Power on Sep 23, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Luke the Young? (I’m late to the party)

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Schenn. He doesn’t get counted as a prospect any more, really, but he’s young enough that A) he hasn’t reached his ceiling, and B) he can be included if we’re talking about “the future of the team’s blueline.”

"I think somebody made a Toskala in his diaper." - DGB

by Bower Power on Sep 23, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

ah yes…and agree

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

but

I thought Schenn was ruined as a prospect?

This is my BOZAK!!!1

by blurr1974 on Sep 23, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

didn’t you hear? I fixed him

/wink

...sometimes I wake up cradling a gourd.

by Fergus30 on Sep 23, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

So the truth comes out…

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

thats why SkinnyFish is becomeing a doctor, so he can deliver the 400 schenn babies Ferg has been impregnated with

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

we will raise them and have a hockey playing army

...sometimes I wake up cradling a gourd.

by Fergus30 on Sep 23, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

oh shnap

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re giving me Bull Durham flashbacks.

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. I think I need a drink now.

by Wan Ihite on Sep 23, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I am really impressed with the Gysbers pick up after actually seeing him play, Kid has potential

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

No kiddin’ I thought it was a nothing AHL pickup at first,

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

yup, just seemed like a throw away filler signing, it still might be, who knows.
but at least we know the kid has some skill

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

he does…He’ higher on the depth chart than expected, could see some NHL action this season, depending on injuries

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought he looked sharp. Not NHL ready, but better than I thought. Mainly in the offensive end, Defensively meh

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s about it. Seemed jumpy in his own end.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 23, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

you’re just against him because he cost us Antro

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

BIAS

This is my BOZAK!!!1

by blurr1974 on Sep 23, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

It’s true.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 23, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

the only “defensive” mistake I can recall from him was his bobbling of a pass on the blue line that allowed the sens to clear the zone.

i know he was on the ice for the lone sens goal, but he had his man covered the entire time. what did you see to give you a “meh”?

This is my BOZAK!!!1

by blurr1974 on Sep 23, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not trying to talk Blacker down, so I’ll re-phrase. He seemed average defensively – all things considered. Whereas offensively he impressed – above average. I guess I would like some more physicality in the defensive end.

I’d rather not have a repeat of yesterday’s Kaberle fiasco, because I’m not talking him down and I really liked his game.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

he’s never been billed as a defensive stalwart, so I don’t think we should worry about an average defensive game off the cuff, as long as he is better than average on offense

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 23, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed… So I def don’t want to sound like I’m complaining.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

just asking a question…

This is my BOZAK!!!1

by blurr1974 on Sep 23, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Don’t blame Blurr.

The Leafs are my Rushmore
Certified Grabbo Lover and member of the PPPPP

by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Sep 23, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Kinda of weary based on what happened yesterday. My bad. It’s tough to say, because I didn’t see glaring mistakes in his own end that I can recall. But I would like to see a little more “mean streak” in his game I guess.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Weary (tired) or wary (tentative)?

/grammar police

by Leaf in Habland on Sep 23, 2010 12:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

wary

/grammar criminal

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 23, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Awesome

Really hope this series catches on. Very, very cool.

Joke

by Archimedies on Sep 23, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

I do as well.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 23, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve never broken the game down to this level of detail before, it’s very educational.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Sep 23, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea, I’m fascinated by these posts and the coaches corner posts, because they talk about something that I have no background but a huge interest in. It’s some great stuff.

...sometimes I wake up cradling a gourd.

by Fergus30 on Sep 23, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions