EHM The Blue Line

This is something I haven't been able to find a thread that anyone has dicussed before.

Basically, would it be an advantageous setup to run your PP with 4 forwards and 1 D like a lot of NHL teams do? I am thinking the benefit would be:

1. You should score more PP goals this way
2. It makes it easier to get more ice time for your forwards and keep everyone developing and happy. With this system, 8 of your 12 starting forwards could play PP, the other 4 could do PK, so everyone should get 12+ mins. (if you have a 1 dimension enforcer, I guess you could play one forward on both PK and PP). That also would make it easier to bring prospect forwards along, because you can ease them in with 3rd line/2nd line PP duty.
3. You only need to have 2 offensive D-men and can fill the other 4 spots with good checking/stay at home types, who tend to be a lot cheaper to sign and keep. That gives more money for forwards and goaltending

My question is, has anyone tried this setup and how well it works in the game? I am wondering if it causes you to give up an unreasonable amount of SH goals. If you are starting a 4th forward, should they be at LD or RD?

I remember in EHM 2005, in the scouting reports, it would say for some players such Bondra, "Has a great point shot...". But I haven't seen that comment at all in 2007. I used this tactic in 2005, but not in 2007. I guess it would be worth a try. The only problem I can think of is it would possibly result in more short handed goals.

My question is, has anyone tried this setup and how well it works in the game?

I think this would be hard to answer, simply because it all really depends on the team. If you have the players who fit this tactic, it should pay-off. If not, you'll probably get burnt by it.

My best suggestion would be to only use it if you have great two-way forwards who you're putting in that defensive slot. A good example is the Flyers using Recchi and Kapanen as PP defencemen a few years back. They had the offensive skill to make this idea work, and had the defensive skill to prevent it from biting them in the anus.

Personally, I would say go for it. Try it out and see how it goes for your team. That's part of the coaching fun - experimenting with your tactics.

I did once use this PP system with my SM-liiga favourite, Espoo Blues. We had a great start to the season, and our PP was rockin the boat with 4 Forwards and 1 Defender. But half way thru the season, I went back to 3 / 2 as nothing seemed to work anymore - back to basics so to say, and haven't tried this again. I didn't give away anymore SH goals than usual though. Worked nicely, and my forward at the defencive slot played well, not at all confused by his new position on PP.

I have too much talent in my current game, so playing this is a must, especially when you want young guys on the 2nd unit.

Malkin is my best shooter and is playing on the LD spot in my 5v4 and 5v3 PP units.

My PP is the second best in the league % wise, Crosby is on pace for about 190 points and half of them have come on the PP.

I've got a 30% power play going here in the '13-'14 season using five forwards on my top unit.

jdh79 wrote:If you are starting a 4th forward, should they be at LD or RD?

I think it depends on whether he's a lefty or a righty. But if both your pointmen shoot left or right, you should put the trigger man of the two in a position where he's able to one time the pass from the other guy.

I think that the Carolina Hurricanes in real life used to or still do use 5 forwards on their PP because they have no D-man capable of manning the point.

They do use 5 forwards alot. But they do have one d-man perfectly capable. Not sure if Gleason is hurt or not. But with Cole, Staal, B'Amour, Stillman, Whiteny and all that firepower...which is also responsible defensively, and can mainly skate backwards better than most forwards..I think I would go for it too.

My PP was woeful despite decent talent (Hossa, Langkow, Fedotenko, Seabrook, Burns) so I added Jason Pominville to the point, since he's got a 17 slapshot rating. Haven't noticed a huge uptick in my PP percentage yet, but it's still early. I figure it's worth a shot though, and plus it allows me to spread out some of my forwards' ice time, which had gotten a little unbalanced.