I didn’t catch last night’s Montreal-Philadelphia preseason game on TV, so this morning I go on NaturalStatTrick.com to take a quick peek.
Patrik Laine: 16:48 time on ice, 0 points, +9/-14 in 5v5 shot attempts (39% Corsi)
Not a banner night for the Habs’ big off-season get, it seems.
However we are talking about preseason hockey, where:
Points don’t matter, at all
Shot differentials favor AHL tweeners and junior hopefuls who are already playing all-out
Looking at Laine’s shifts, I see a few key habits that will help MTL92 have a resurgent season and, possibly, help MTL grab a playoff spot in the competitive Atlantic division.
1. Early Involvement on the Breakout
The biggest misconception surrounding Laine’s game is that he is uninterested in getting the puck in the defensive zone.
This could not be farther than the truth. It also explains why he struggled with Columbus’ stretch-pass heavy style of play.
MTL92 Laine tracks back to the DZ and then swings away from the puck as the Habs gain possession. MTL15 Newhook forces a pass into the middle, which Laine corrals inside a cutback. He builds speed, knifes through the NZ and eventually gets the puck back on the right halfwall.
Of course, Laine’s at his most dangerous in the offensive zone, with the puck on his way to him for a one-timer. But his willingness to get involved early and his team’s ability to get him the puck are excellent signals.
2. Use of the Weak-Side Defenseman
Laine’s freakish combination of size, speed and skills helps him carry the puck through the NZ and hold it under pressure low in the OZ.
However, Laine’s effectiveness as an offensive creator comes primarily off the pass.
I’m not sure whether MTL coaches will keep Laine with Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach, but I certainly hope that MTL92 will share the ice as often as possible with rookie defenseman Lane Hutson (MTL48) this season.
MTL92 gets the puck at the red line and immediately finds MTL48 in-stride, in the middle of the ice. The defenseman gains the line and finds a return pass to the forward. Laine again finds the weakside D, this time MTL58 Savard, for a shot.
MTL92 receives a breakout pass but doesn’t like what he sees. He spots the puck in the opposite corner and gets lost in the weeds as the high F3. MTL48 makes an aggressive move down the left flank. Laine funnels down the middle and arrives just in time for a scoring chance.
3. Tracking After a Multi-Puck Sequence
Laine is not a great defensive player and he likely never will be.
But he’s a better defensive player when he is in offensive rhythm.
First puck touch: Backhand pass off the wall in the NZ
Second puck touch: Fake shot as F4 entering the OZ
Third puck touch: Exit kill high in the OZ to force a turnover
After getting the puck three times within 25 seconds, Laine is ready to play defense. He almost gets a fourth puck and is fully engaged on the backcheck.
This is all really great stuff from Laine, who is easing himself into the preseason at sub-maximum effort. If we keep seeing these savvy plays during the regular season, then it’ll be a good one for the winger and his new team.