Offical Tactics Thread: Powerplay & Penalty Kill

[MKoivuFan]

In my AHL story i am doing my team gets like 6-7 powerplays an only seems to score on 0-2 of them anyone find any good tactics that have been successful on the powerplay?

[typicaljs]

Just checked the thread and didn't see anything about this:

Does the deflection attribute also correlate to a player's shot-blocking ability? I've noticed that often times Defensive dmen will have higher ratings in deflections in addition to the usual (pokecheck, positioning, hitting,checking). I drafted Stephen Lund with my first pick in 07, and so far his best skill(s) tend to be deflections and checking. None of his other skills are above 16 (deflections one of only two to ever be green). He does get a lot of points, but I attribute most of that to being my #1 dman on a stacked offensive team.

I'm just curious if anyone has figured out if defenseman with higher ratings in deflections are better shotblockers or not? I assume positioning and bravery would play a role in it, but deflections does seem like a natural place for some of it to be as well, right? Just wanted to see what you guys thought about that.

[timmy_t]

In my AHL story i am doing my team gets like 6-7 powerplays an only seems to score on 0-2 of them anyone find any good tactics that have been successful on the powerplay?

Two things you can do: First, mix up the guys on the PP. A lot of veteran TBLers don't put exactly the same lines as 1st even strength and 1st PP. Second thing is to mix up the system you use to see if you find one that works with the players you have. (example: it would not be good to try and use Funnel if you have small/weak forwards)

Also, in this game I think that 15%-20% is a good PP. (You're close, you just need some adjustments)

Just checked the thread and didn't see anything about this:

Does the deflection attribute also correlate to a player's shot-blocking ability? I've noticed that often times Defensive dmen will have higher ratings in deflections in addition to the usual (pokecheck, positioning, hitting,checking). I drafted Stephen Lund with my first pick in 07, and so far his best skill(s) tend to be deflections and checking. None of his other skills are above 16 (deflections one of only two to ever be green). He does get a lot of points, but I attribute most of that to being my #1 dman on a stacked offensive team.

I'm just curious if anyone has figured out if defenseman with higher ratings in deflections are better shotblockers or not? I assume positioning and bravery would play a role in it, but deflections does seem like a natural place for some of it to be as well, right? Just wanted to see what you guys thought about that.

Good question- Deflection is purely an offensive attribute. A lot of teams have used defensemen on their PP to screen the goalie. I haven't seen it a lot lately though.

Shot blocking is a combination of positioning and bravery. You want high numbers in both.


I hope my answers helped both of you guys.

[typicaljs]

interesting. I'm not reallly looking for a shotblocking team. But was just trying to figure out why my pick of Stephen Lund is doing so much better than my Ian Cole. Cole is pretty much 17's18's across every skill, great mental attributes, decent skater. Lund is just a big body with 14/15/16's for most skills. I'd imagine Cole would be better, but Lund has been in Norris voting each of last two seasons and Cole gets snubbed. I'm trying to figure out what it is that makes him the better player. Are Size/Str/Speed really that important to dmen? Lund has a slight skating advantage and big height advantage at 6'4 vs 6'0 but other than that I think Cole should be the overall better player.

Back on topic: What do you guys find to be acceptable vs good PK rates? Should i be happy with 85-86%?

[CJ]

interesting. I'm not reallly looking for a shotblocking team. But was just trying to figure out why my pick of Stephen Lund is doing so much better than my Ian Cole. Cole is pretty much 17's18's across every skill, great mental attributes, decent skater. Lund is just a big body with 14/15/16's for most skills. I'd imagine Cole would be better, but Lund has been in Norris voting each of last two seasons and Cole gets snubbed. I'm trying to figure out what it is that makes him the better player. Are Size/Str/Speed really that important to dmen? Lund has a slight skating advantage and big height advantage at 6'4 vs 6'0 but other than that I think Cole should be the overall better player.

Back on topic: What do you guys find to be acceptable vs good PK rates? Should i be happy with 85-86%?

What "consistency" attribute does those two D:men have? Could be a major reason why Lund is better, if he has alot better consistency.

Your PK rate is hard to judge as it's hard to say without knowing what kind of PK:ing players you have? If you have great PK line then 85% is not so good. Having bad PK lines then 85% might be good. It depends.

[typicaljs]

Lund and Cole aren't regens, so I have no clue what consistency either have. Though I think Cole has higher consistency because of scouting reports reflecting well on his mental attributes. Lund is more loyal, but I believe other than that Cole has higher hidden attributes like concentration, focus, consistency. but...I don't want to download the editor and look it up. I'd be too tempted to cheat too often.

I'm still learning how each of the skills really effects the certain players and how to "read into" a players stats and understand the type of role they'll fill/player they are. APologies for not clicking around more before asking the question...but is there any specific thread/topic I could read into on the subject...And I read the guide, I just mean like a debate you all had here about players with X type skill sets and the differences between them. (off dmen, def dmen, sniper, checker) for example, I don't understand why lots of the extremely gifted offensively talented players seem to have very low scores in positioning. is that just like the "one flaw" in their game? I'm just interested in a more thorough discussion about player skillset builds and the like and how it translates to their future role.

[timmy_t]

I'm still learning how each of the skills really effects the certain players and how to "read into" a players stats and understand the type of role they'll fill/player they are. APologies for not clicking around more before asking the question...but is there any specific thread/topic I could read into on the subject...And I read the guide, I just mean like a debate you all had here about players with X type skill sets and the differences between them. (off dmen, def dmen, sniper, checker) for example, I don't understand why lots of the extremely gifted offensively talented players seem to have very low scores in positioning. is that just like the "one flaw" in their game? I'm just interested in a more thorough discussion about player skillset builds and the like and how it translates to their future role.

If you look through the entire "Game Knowledge" section of TBL you will find a lot of answers to the questions you are asking. I've been a member of this site for 8 years and I sometimes forget things so I read the whole thing again. I take notes and try things out. Then, if I can't figure out the answer to a question I ask it here. Most of the time someone else has asked it before you.

There are multiple guides on TBL too. You mentioned that you read the guide but you ask why a gifted offensive player has a bad Positioning attribute. Easy answer: Positioning is a defensive attribute. A lot of offensive phenoms aren't very good defensively.

Don't be afraid to ask relevant questions after you've done your homework. You will get more answers and advice that way. (maybe even from the site's Moderators and Admins, they have a wealth of knowledge but have probably answered all your questions years before you asked them)

http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/wiki/inde ... 2007_Guide

http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/wiki/inde ... s:_Players

[Sabresfan]

Anyone know what pp and pk tactics work well for major junior teams?

[timmy_t]

Pretty much the same as in the NHL. Depending on your players you can have a great PP, and your PK will depend a lot on your goalie.

[steviewhy]

PP question, I don't want to use Funnel or Overload Slot because I'm the Red Wings and we're weak, but I do want to have one guy maintain a net front presence. Umbrella he seems to wander following the puck a little bit. Anyone have suggestions?

[sao.phim]

PP question, I don't want to use Funnel or Overload Slot because I'm the Red Wings and we're weak, but I do want to have one guy maintain a net front presence. Umbrella he seems to wander following the puck a little bit. Anyone have suggestions?

How about using Diamond (with Zidlicky on LD position and as playmaker) or just plane 1-2-2?

[RomaGoth]

PP question, I don't want to use Funnel or Overload Slot because I'm the Red Wings and we're weak, but I do want to have one guy maintain a net front presence. Umbrella he seems to wander following the puck a little bit. Anyone have suggestions?

You should put Abdelkader, Sheahan, Jurco in front of the net.

[steviewhy]

Or Cole. The manual says triangle puts the center out front with the wings behind him so maybe that's the way to go. 1-2-2 might be good as well though if it means two point shots and two guys looking for one timers, that actually sounds like our real power play

[Mytrix]

Hi!

I play EHM:EA... And I got a problem in PK...

Often, I win the faceoff in my zone, my Dman is all alone, no pressure... And he make a dumb pass right in the slot... We speak about Dman like Markov or Subban, they are suppose to be top player!

Is there something I can do in the tactic to make them CLEAR THE PUCK instead of passing the puck right in the slot to the opposite team...?

[Manimal]

Hi!

I play EHM:EA... And I got a problem in PK...

Often, I win the faceoff in my zone, my Dman is all alone, no pressure... And he make a dumb pass right in the slot... We speak about Dman like Markov or Subban, they are suppose to be top player!

Is there something I can do in the tactic to make them CLEAR THE PUCK instead of passing the puck right in the slot to the opposite team...?

Perhaps setting Unit tactics - dumping the puck to often or very often will help

[Mytrix]

Already tried, change nothing!

Well... The Boston Bruins seems to know how to clear the puck... Seidenberg shoot from depth in his own zone and score against Price! XD

[Peter_Doherty]

Already tried, change nothing!

Well... The Boston Bruins seems to know how to clear the puck... Seidenberg shoot from depth in his own zone and score against Price! XD

Make sure you dont have any individual tactics for your defenders that tells them to be creative with their passes or not dump the puck

[Mytrix]

The only individual tactics I put is for player more physical, to hit more, the rest go with the Unit Tactics!

But I think there is not a lot we can do more... The AI Team do the same thing too sadly...

[Peter_Doherty]

Ok, then i don't know...

[Mytrix]

At least, the AI Team do the exact same thing sometime, so it's fair!

[daft]

Yeah, I see a lot of suicide passes coming from D-men in my game as well. Instead of just playing up the wing or dump the puck when in PK they hit a diagonal pass right across the slot opening us up to a lot of danger on intercepts. They seem to do this even when they aren't under any preassure, which is weird.

[saberhagen83]

Quick question on PK. I'm wondering what would be most suited zonal or man coverage? I usually have man for my other lines, but I'm thinking zonal is better for the PK or am I way out there now?

[sluice]

Quick question on PK. I'm wondering what would be most suited zonal or man coverage? I usually have man for my other lines, but I'm thinking zonal is better for the PK or am I way out there now?

For the PK, definitely Zone. There is no way you can watch all the opposite players with a man short...
By playing zone defence, you are sure to always leave at least 1 D in front of your net. Otherwise, the opponent will cycle until one of your players moves out of position.

[batdad]

I have never trusted the in game graphics to the point that each individual play that it shows is correct. So it may look on screen that dman made a horrid pass, but it was because the sim engine decided that your opponent would score from the slot, while that dman had the puck....so the visual is dman turning it over with a Luca Sbisa style pass...but in reality the dman may have shot it up the wall, and the winger could not control it...and boom ended up in slot.

[sao.phim]

Yeah, I see a lot of suicide passes coming from D-men in my game as well. Instead of just playing up the wing or dump the puck when in PK they hit a diagonal pass right across the slot opening us up to a lot of danger on intercepts. They seem to do this even when they aren't under any preassure, which is weird.

Experiencing exactly same issue, with Flyers.
Personal Tactics for D-men are: dump very often, passing very safe. Unit tactics are set exactly same - dump very often and very safe passes.

I understand, it can happen sometimes, but several times every game, especially in PK - What the Dickens???

I wonder if removing "playmaker" from Unit tactics, who I have set there for Couturier playing LF, could help?