Nobody says it is as bad as a few years ago, otherwise known as the “Dead Puck” era. Nobody says things are as bad as when it was called “rodeo hockey,” with all the clutching, grabbing, back-riding.
But there is a growing perception among players and fans that goals are getting harder to come by again in the NHL. The difference now, though, might have less to do with increased tolerance by referees for stick fouls and overall clutching and grabbing and more to do with coaches having devised better defensive systems since a host of new rules to increase scoring were introduced two years ago.
Coaches are like smart crooks: They’ll always figure out a way to beat the new system eventually.
“It’s definitely more defensive than it was a couple years ago,” Avalanche captain Joe Sakic said. “Teams have learned, and you knew it was going to happen. You start off with the new rules and it’s more open, but then coaches figure out a way to neutralize it. It’s just a matter of time, and it’s happened.”
Entering Thursday, there were 164 fewer goals scored than the same point two seasons ago (1,656-1,492) and 66 fewer than last season (1,558-1,492).
“The rules were meant to open up the rush game, and teams are finding ways to stop it,” said Sakic, who has five goals in his first 17 games, on pace for a career low.
Those ways include keeping defensemen back more to guard against the “long bomb” passes that the removal of the red line was meant to encourage. The removal of the red line was also supposed to make it harder for teams to employ a neutral-zone trap – and it has – but there is still an emphasis on attacking the puck-carrier as he crosses his own blue line, with swarming support for the lead chaser. In that sense, while the game was speeded up with the elimination of the red line, so, too, has it gotten faster on the defensive side. Increased competition between divisional opponents – and the advent of so much video-on-demand technology – has made it impossible for teams to keep secrets from one another.
“I think, coming out of the lockout, be it more power plays or being unfamiliar with the red line being taken out, how they forecheck up ice and in the neutral zone – there was a learning period,” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said. “I think, also, playing eight games against teams in your division, you become more familiar with those teams. You’re aware of what they’re trying to do. Everybody kind of reinforces what they have to do without the puck, more than what they do with it.”
The NHL is in a major fight to sell its game more to the general public, and lack of scoring is a harder sell. So, while coaches might help their teams win more games with a more conservative, defensive style, they may also contribute to taking money out of their teams’ and league’s pocket.
“As a coach, the bottom line is winning. But we try to score, and scoring is encouraged around here,” Quenneville said. “We’d like to hold our end of the bargain and try to score.”
Avs veteran Ryan Smyth is an old-school hockey player who likes the physical aspects of the game and doesn’t want to see the NHL turn into a pretty-boy league. But he also likes to score goals.
“Everybody just knows everything about the other guy,” Smyth said. “With all the video, coaches know all the systems of everyone else. I think that’s what’s brought scoring down a little. I think the refs are still pretty consistent and call the penalties. It’s just not as easy to score a goal as the older days, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, as long as the chances are coming and guys are allowed to play.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
Let ’em skate!
Goals scored through 260 NHL games this season, compared to goals in the same number of games the past two seasons:
2007-08 – 1,492 (5.7 game)
2006-07 – 1,558 (6.0)
2005-06 – 1,656 (6.4)
COLORADO AT DALLAS
6:30 p.m. tonight, ALT, KKFN 950 AM
Spotlight on Dave Tippett: The Stars coach is probably feeling lots of pressure. His general manager, Doug Armstrong, was fired earlier this week, and many are speculating Tippett will be next to go, unless things turn around fast. If Tippett is fired, look for Avs assistant Tony Granato to be considered as a replacement. after separating a shoulder Oct. 19, but he will not play tonight. He may play later in the road trip. … Colorado is the fourth-least penalized team in the league (12.2 minutes per game).
NOTEBOOK
Avalanche: A day after taking a nasty spill at practice, winger Andrew Brunette said he was fine and will play tonight. Brunette admitted he was a bit worried after losing an edge and crashing into the boards Wednesday, but he practiced Thursday. Jose Theodore will start in goal for the Avs. He has a 1-7-3 career record against the Stars, but did beat them in the 2006 Western Conference quarterfinals. Karlis Skrastins is healthy after separating a shoulder Oct. 19, but he will not play tonight. He may play later in the road trip. Colorado is the fourth-least penalized team in the league (12.2 minutes per game).
Stars: The Stars are ninth in the NHL in power-play percentage (21.4) and penalty-killing (84.7). … Veteran Stu Barnes is still looking for his first goal this season, after 18 games. … Winger Brad Winchester (abdominal strain) missed Wednesday’s game against San Jose, as did defenseman Mattias Norstrom (eye lacerations).
Adrian Dater
