The fact that the Penguins did not come out of the gates the way that they wanted to this season is well known around the National Hockey League. In fact, it has been one of the most talked about stories throughout the first half of the season.

However, as the Penguins came down the stretch towards the All-Star break, they started to show signs of life. The team found a way to win three of its last five games. What was different you ask?

Well, head coach Michel Therrien decided to simplify and tweak his system and implemented a 1-2-2 trap on January 12, 2009. The results were immediately visible as the Penguins shut down a very impressive Philadelphia Flyers team on January 13th. They showed themselves that when they commit to this system and stick to it throughout the game, they are successful.

Sure there have been bumps in the road thus far and we have seen the breakdowns turn into goals against, but they really seemed to embrace the message over the last couple of weeks and the results are showing.

Considering that we are most likely going to be seeing a lot of this system over the next 30 some odd games, I figured it might be a nice idea to sort of explain how it is played and how it works. I have also gotten several questions regarding the system and its make-up, so with that, here we go.

The 1-2-2 trap is designed to clog the neutral zone as the attacking team breaks out of its own zone. It is also effective in the defensive zone, because the defensemen are getting a lot of additional support from the wingers. Though the center is left high to cover both points by himself.

Let’s first take a look at how this system is played in the neutral zone.

The opponent has control of the puck deep in its own zone and is beginning to move up ice. The center is the only player from the defensive squad that should be pressuring. He is trying to hurry a pass or force a turnover as he would during a penalty-killing situation. He is also taking care not to get caught deep or chase in behind the net, as that could set up an odd man situation.

The wingers are lined up just outside of the blue line near the neutral zone face-off dots. While the defenesemen are a bit closer together but in roughly the same positions as the wingers back beyond the red line. It as if they all have a quadrant to protect.

With two players on each side of the ice, the center comes back hard and all three forwards cover an opposing skater, sticking with him closely and disrupting the break out. The Defensemen are working towards the middle of the ice to clog that area and disrupt any puck movement.

When done correctly, the puck carrier is being checked while all passing options are cut off due to the tight man coverage. In many situations the puck is turned over and the defense is able to clear it back into the opposition’s zone…starting the process over again. The 1-2-2 also causes the attacking team to dump and chase an awful lot. That plays into the hands of a team that possesses mobile puck moving defensemen, as they quickly get back and start a breakout the other way.


By bmetzer66, shot with BlackBerry 8310 at 2009-01-27


Transitioning the 1-2-2 into play in the defensive zone:

The system is very similar when employed in the defensive zone, though the center has a bigger job. He is now responsible for covering both point men, while the wingers are in the middle of the ice dealing with opposing forwards. Leaving the defensemen deep in the zone protecting in and around the goal area. Having a swift skating center is a big benefit in this situation, as he is able to get side to side on the ice and take care of the entire point area. He can also create scoring opportunities the other way by chipping passes and loose pucks beyond the attacking defensemen.

Over the years, teams that were trying to hold a lead, or that might not have had a ton of offensive firepower have employed this system. It has also been used against formidable opponents to minimize scoring chances against.

In the Penguins case, their defense as a whole had been struggling and the forwards did not seem committed to getting back in support. Their goaltending had also been lackluster and the team could ill afford to continue allowing unabated scoring opportunities. Since (re) implementing this system, it looks as if all members of the team from Crosby/Malkin on down have bought into the message.

The Penguins have shown an ability to create a good bit of offense off of the turnovers that the 1-2-2 is creating for them, and that has been key the short term success they have achieved. Here’s hoping that they have gotten an even better handle on playing this system, as they definitely have their work cut out for them if they want to make a playoffs spot. They are going to have to win roughly 60% of their games to get to a point level that places them in a playoff spot if history holds true.

Though I share a lot of analysis here, I don’t often break down actual Xs and Os of the game, so this was fun. Hopefully you guys take something from this…as I said, I had received several questions asking about the system and wanted to answer in this way…

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As we reported last night on the Penguins Hockey Buzzcast w/ Metzer and May…

The Penguins have recalled Paul Bissonnette and Bill Thomas. Both were playing some high-energy hockey prior to the All-Star break and I am glad that they were given an opportunity to come back up.

Max Talbot and Pascal Dupuis are set to rejoin the line-up tomorrow evening.

Ruslan Fedotenko was back on ice as of Monday…albeit without a stick. He is just starting to rehab, but is making strides.

Sergei Gonchar is still skating with the group and has been doing a lot of shooting. Though he reports some soreness, he seems on schedule for a late February/early March return.

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TSN is reporting that the Penguins Matt Cooke will be suspended two games for his punishing hit on Scott Walker. Cooke was assessed an interference call during the game, but will have to miss some time.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=264797&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_nhl

Official release from the team...

PENGUINS' COOKE SUSPENDED FOR TWO GAMES

TORONTO (January 27, 2009) – Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke has been suspended for two games, without pay, as a result of a blow delivered to the head of Carolina forward Scott Walker during NHL Game #687, Jan. 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes, the National Hockey League announced.

Cooke was assessed a minor penalty for interference against Scott Walker at 12:58 of the first period. Walker left the game and did not return.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Cooke will forfeit $12,903.23. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Cooke will miss games against the New York Rangers on Jan. 28 and New Jersey on Jan. 30. He will be eligible to return Jan. 31 at Toronto.

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