Sheldon Keefe wasted no time finding a new home after parting ways with the Toronto Maple Leafs in early May. A couple of weeks later, on May 23rd, he officially landed another coaching job with the New Jersey Devils. It’s a fresh start for Keefe, and many are betting he’ll fare much better this time around as an NHL head coach
One thing Keefe will notice right off the bat is the similarity between the Devils and his former team, the Leafs. Like in Toronto, New Jersey’s success hinges on having reliable netminders between the pipes. Keefe knows this all too well, and with a shiny new four-year contract in hand, he’s counting on GM Tom Fitzgerald to shore up the goalie situation. Yet it’s also a system Keefe employs, which partially affects how his players perform. So, with that in mind, let’s dive into his tactics, which can propel the Devils in their quest for the young core to leap towards becoming a Stanley Cup contender.
Offensive Zone:
Let’s break down Keefe’s playing style in the offensive zone, starting with the “uphill” approach. Picture forward Nico Hischier grabbing the puck and moving below the goal line, scanning for potential pass opportunities. Timo Meier would position himself before the goalie, ready to receive a pass. And then you have Jesper Bratt hanging out down low, serving as another option for Hischier’s pass.
Here’s the catch with this setup: it’s excellent for creating chances, but it only gives the defensemen a little room to get in on the action. If Hischier’s pass doesn’t quite hit the mark, there’s a good chance it will leave the zone altogether.
There’s a silver lining. They also have a “downhill” play in their playbook, which will probably be used more often. This time, excellent movement starts from the top of the offensive zone and flows down toward the goal line. It’s a switch-up from their uphill strategy, but it plays to the strengths of their blue-line players, who are skilled at getting involved in the offense.
So, while their uphill approach has drawbacks, the downhill style is more catered to playoff hockey. However, both are needed, and Net Jersey must find the right balance and adjust to keep the game flowing in their favor.
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