“The Puck Didn’t Go There, and It Should Have”

It was subtle, but if you were looking close enough, you could definitely see it, especially on the power play.

“Subtle selfishness” rears it’s ugly head in certain sequences within the game, like on an odd man rush, but the most glaring example of if usually occurs on the man advantage.

You see “the puck didn’t go there” that’s when you can tell a player or players or an entire team in question are subtly selfish.

I’ve written countless articles on passing or the lack there of, but there was a sequence last night that undoubtedly caught my eye.

It was subtle, but for me it jumped off the page.

When a player has the open man and the right option and decides to force something rather than make the right play it reveals a lot.

“The puck didn’t go there, and it should have is probably the most politically correct thing to say when it comes to selfishness.

It’s ironic that these instances happen on the power play because that’s where the “subtly selfish” or not so “subtly selfish” chase their points or do the most damage and I don’t mean offensively.

There’s a big difference between being a power play specialist and being a puck hog especially when it comes to quarterbacking the power play.

Taking Ill-advised shots, hanging on the puck way too long and not moving it, repeatedly slapping your stick for the one timer are tell tale signs of selfishness, nevertheless, the absolute worse indicator of it is body language.

In last nights instance, the player that was wide open, instantly changed after the player in question forced some bull shit low percentage shot from the top of the umbrella through traffic. The player that was wide open was still engaged and in the play and in position when the selfish shot was blocked and easily cleared, that’s when they went to the bench in disgust. In that instance that players body language spoke volumes, they hid it well because they’re a character player, but you could tell they were pissed and had every right to be.

The puck didn’t go there and it should have. The player knew, but the subtly selfish player had no idea and probably still thinks they did nothing wrong and that’s where the problem lies.

You see that’s where the shit hits the fan and teammates start freezing people out not only on the power play but in every situation.

“Subtle selfishness” can spread like wildfire throughout an entire team.

It’s awful to watch, but ironically last night the tables turned on the same power play the next time down. The “subtly selfish” player was froze out, the puck didn’t go to them, and their body language in that moment spoke volumes and revealed a lot.

“Go to” players or those that think they’re “go to” players want the puck all of the time and that’s great and all that they want it, but they have to understand that you have to give it up to get it back and that spreading the wreath is critical for individual and team success.

It might have been one play in a thousand plays, but it wasn’t so subtle. These little plays and interactions amongst teammates can tear apart and destroy team chemistry especially if it becomes a trend that isn’t corrected or left to fester.

“The puck didn’t go there, and it should have.”