Much has been said about the imposing physical play of Sundin, Ponikarovsky, and Antropov. I think their effectiveness has been overstated. The line controls the puck along the boards almost at will and can eat minutes in a game. However, I thought the idea is to score and not just puck possession in the offensive zone.
I think Sundin summed it up well last week, about needing to be "more effective." What should be happening is either Ponikarovsky supports the puck and Antropov plants himself in front of the net, or vice. It drives me nuts watching this line control the puck for extended periods of time with two players facing the boards while a third sits in a position that is either too acute of an angle for a quick shot, or blocks a wall-sitter from coming to the front of the net with any efficacy.
And to further magnify this deficiency the third line of Pohl, Bates, and Kilger cycle the puck with speed and anticipation. How many times have you seen the passing lane open up only for Ponikarovsky to recognize it late and pass after the lane has closed, or Antropov waiting for the centering pass so close to the goal line you can see Sundin's facial expression say "Guess I'll have to drive the net for a wrap-around"?
I just don't see Ponikarovsky and Antropov as first line players.
12 years ago
