from Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star,
These days, it’s all about the “puck-possession game.” It was the Red Wings, coming out of the 2004-05 lockout and the new rules that opened up the game, who pioneered that style.
It is the Los Angeles Kings who may well have perfected it. It is the dominant style of the Western Conference. For proponents of analytics, this style of hockey is superior. If you’re on the plus-side of shot differential over the long term, you should prevail.
They Kings are playing the New York Rangers, a team built on speed, timely scoring and solid goaltending. The Rangers beat the Montreal Canadiens, a similarly built team. The Maple Leafs played this style of game, although not nearly as successfully.
There isn’t a flashy name for it yet and there won’t be unless the Rangers win the Cup. For now, let’s call it “Stop and Go” hockey.
GMs across the league will be watching to see what team and what style prevails. And they’ll be sure to copy it, both in the drafting of players, the signing of free agents and the philosophies installed by coaches.
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