To summarize the article, he experimented last game during the 3rd period with using 5 man units, that is, he put the same D-pair with the same forward line. Thoughts? I didn't realize it during the game, but I'm happy with the results.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/919600.html

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He did talk about it after the game somewhat though I don't really remember what he said. I do remember him saying that Connolly was pretty vocal that game about how they wanted to play in the offensive zone which is good to ehar.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

That's great to hear...I lose my center ice feed before the postgame interviews

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I heard him talking about this on his post game interview on WGR550.

He didn't mention that he had picked it up from the Russians, but he did say he was trying to keep defensemen with specific forwards as 5 man units.

I like the idea.

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Wheelhouse

The idea makes sense; just as you want to create cohesion amongst the group of 3, imagine what a group of 5 with the same level of cohesion can achieve.

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Don't tell Markus. He'll be PISSED.

It allows the d-men to join, pinch, and gamble a little bit more effectively because the forward line knows exactly which d-men are with them. This is what I was hoping they would try to do a little more often, but I didn't realize that the rotation of d-men and forward lines would be a hinderence. It makes sense though, so if using five man units helps them to be more aggressive in the o-zone we might see a little more offense during the 2nd half.

I hope they keep doing this.

The ONLY thing that would make me happier about this, is if it were Sweden's or Finland's idea, and not Russia

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

In before "In Soviet Russa..." jokes.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

In Soviet Russia, the jokes tell you.


but seriously, isn't it a much bigger logistical problem to do a wholesale change every time you want to change lines?
I mean, that's why the D pair stays on the ice to begin with...

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Yes, but they also stay on a little longer...it's a staggered change, but still ends up with 5 man groups.

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It can be done if the d-man stays behind the net while the forward line changes. Then the center comes back and picks up the puck while the d-men change on the rush.

The other issue though is that you have to sit the 4th line for a while. This may be necessary in a comeback scenario, but you probably wouldn't want to leave them on the bench for long stretches of the 1st and 2nd period.

You get a guy from the second and third pair and make them a Fourth pair type?

But makes sense, as you know you want some of the best offensive defenders with the best offensive forwards, or take the best defenders and put them with the better offensive players also.

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I like that idea a lot, to say the absolute least.

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Miles to go before I sleep

‎"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
-Khalil Gibran

A real russian system would be for all 5 players to wait on the blue line and just HOPE the goalie gets the puck up to you.

Then, when you gain the zone, everyone heads to the goalie and HOPE you get a lucky bounce.

On another note, Russia is going to get crushed in the olympics this year, for this very reason.

(Kalinin and Afinogenov still on the roster? Ha...)

haha, oh man, not to open a can of worms but, have you seen him this year? more points goals and assists than anyone on the sabres. and you can say "oh look who hes playing with", well thats who he'll be playing wiht in the Olympics. sorry, i just think they will make it far. as far as kalinin though... lol

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FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

Russia won't medal this year.

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Wheelhouse

They will be pretty close. I wouldn't discount them from making it to the gold metal game...USA, Canada, Sweden, and Russia all very VERY strong teams

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Take a penalty against these guys and they will score. Playing by international rules on N.A. ice is a big advantage for the russians.

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Driver of the Tyler Ennis Bandwagon, Ridin' shotgun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon, chillin' on the Luke Adam Bandwagon


Eh