Tag: special teams

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Improved special teams and more consistent play from the blue line has the Columbus Blue Jackets playing well

Just like that the Columbus Blue Jackets are winning hockey games again. The team started the season in solid shape, and then youth proved to be a downfall of sorts. Having a rough December and January the Blue Jackets looked like a team that was rebuilding. When the All Star break came around it was almost like the team and coaching hit the reset button. A 7-1 record in February has given hope again.

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Andrew Peeke #2 of the Columbus Blue Jackets checks Zach Sanford #13 of the Ottawa Senators into the boards during the second period of a game at Nationwide Arena on January 23, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)

Two things jump out in the Blue Jackets turnaround, special teams play and the defensive unit (blue line.) Ranking 24th on the power play does not seem all the great. In actuality it is not. However, the power play has improved as it is creating better scoring chances by getting the puck down low.

The Blue Jackets penalty kill ranks 12th. That is pretty good. This unit has been lights out in wins against the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. In fact the penalty kill allowed zero shots on goal vs Florida.

Speaking of the Columbus Blue Jackets blue line, they seem to have benefited most from the All Star break. The very young defensive crop has had a rough time cutting it’s teeth. That is until after the All Star weekend. Now the unit is rotating to the spot of the puck and forming a wall in front of the Blue Jacket goalies.

For a team that is supposed to be in a rebuild/reload the Blue Jackets are in position to make one of the NHL’s wild card spots for the playoffs. Yes, there is still a lot of hockey to play. The fact they even in this position is promising.

The Blue Jackets are sure to at the very least have one lottery draft pick from the Chicago Blackhawks as part of the Seth Jones trade. If they miss the playoffs there is a chance (all be it slim) the Blue Jackets could have two lottery draft picks.

NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 06: Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen looks on during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 6, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

All and all Brad Larsen has done a very good, very solid job with the team who is fun to watch.

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The Detroit Red Wings are giving Anthony Mantha more responsibility

In order to stay on the ice more this season Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha has vowed to stop dropping the gloves. Mantha will not fight anymore, unless a situation calls for it. The narrative on Mantha has been if he could stay healthy, he would score 40 goals. The Detroit Red Wings also know Mantha needs to be on the ice and not the trainers room. So now after swearing off fighting the Red Wings are giving Mantha more responsibility.

At 6 foot 5 inch, 234 lb, Anthony Mantha is an imposing player. Gifted with elite speed and an elite wrist shot, Mantha is a gifted player. The Detroit Red Wings want more from Mantha, they need more from him.

The Detroit Red Wings are asking Mantha to stop goals on special teams. The Red Wings penalty kill has been lacking and they feel with the big Mantha on the ice he has the size, speed and ability to stop/block shots.

BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 11: Anthony Mantha #39 of the Detroit Red Wings during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 11, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Anthony Mantha said he has not been asked to work on shot blocking since his days in junior hockey seven years ago. So far in training camp Mantha has embraced his new position on the team.

Speaking of training camp, a big chunk of it is spent on special teams. Power play/penalty kill. It is the time coach’s and general managers weed out and carve who will be where with an eye on improvement over the previous season. It is that way for all hockey teams.

For the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings, it is important to identify those players early as some may find a permanent home on one of the two units or perhaps both. Anthony Mantha has been on the Red Wings power play now he will be on the ice for both special teams.

Playing on special teams means more ice time, that is good news, when factoring in Mantha’s goals scoring ability.

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The Detroit Lions bring in a new special team coach

Embed from Getty Images Brayden Coombs, who worked for the Cincinnati Bengals since 2009 in different capacities, was hired Saturday as the Detroit Lions special teams coach. Coombs replaces the departed John Bonamego. Brayden Coombs joins Detroit’s staff with high regard.

In Brayden Coombs, the Detroit Lions are getting a real up and coming coach. At just 33 years old, Coombs has experience not only with the offensive and defensive side of the ball, but Coombs has also put in work as a gameday scout as well as quality control coach who helped with the offensive game plan.

When Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, chose to keep Coombs after he was named head coach it spoke volumes to just how solid a coach Brayden is.

Brayden Coombs, is viewed around the NFL as a bright, rising coach. Last season Coombs nearly landing a coordinator job in Green Bay. Detroit Lions fans should be happy he did not get the job.

On a very bad Bengals team, the special teams turned heads. The Cincinnati Bengals special teams were the best in the NFL. Finishing the season ranked #1.

The 2019, Detroit Lions special teams were anything but special. Head coach Matt Patricia prioritized special teams as a unit the Lions would like to upgrade. The Lions finished the season ranking 8th in the department. Not bad, but if there is a way to improve the team it needs to be made. So Patricia saw a clear upgrade and made it.

Brayden Coombs will have pressure from expectations he has placed on himself from his previous work. All indications are he is ready and able to meet the challenges head on.

Brayden Coombs is a very solid, very good move for Patricia and his coaching staff. To get one of the best special teams coach in the NFL is a big win for a staff that dismissed a few coach’s in order to get better.