Analyzing Brennan Othmann's Goal vs Boston
Brennan Othmann was one of the Rangers' biggest standouts yesterday against the Boston Bruins, notching two points in a 5-2 win against the Bruins. Othmann has a great chance to make the Rangers squad full-time this season, and so far has exemplified why he should be a full-time player throughout the preseason. He's shown great skill and innate scoring instincts like he's brought coming out of junior into the AHL, but what has been most noticeable for me is his natural sense of compete and tenacity. Systematically speaking and tactically, he's adjusted to the preseason much smoother given his ability to track puck carriers and maintain close gaps effectively, in large part due to his willingness to compete and improve.
Some players have the ability to track and maintain close gaps like Othmann does as well, but it comes down to players that are actually willing to take action and make sure that they can be a play driver defensively for their team as well. Othmann has been an absolute hound on the puck and without it, relentlessly tracking on the forecheck, using angles in his forecheck ability, but also with his track back and how consistent he's been using his speed to get back.
I've been really impressed with what Othmann brings competitively and in terms of his relentless mindset, which could allow him to gather a bottom-six checking role early on in the season with the Rangers. It would be awesome to see him stick with the Rangers full-time, as the Rangers have really weaponized their AHL Hartford team for fast tracking development in their players in recent seasons. 1-2 seasons is all players typically need down there, and they become ready for the NHL quicker than most other AHL teams. Anyways, back to Othmann's breakaway goal and what stood out in terms of details in it:
We see the sequence leading up to the goal around 4:25 here, where Othmann takes advantage of a turnover at the blue line by Nikita Zadorov to get a loose puck and gain breakaway speed. Look at that initial track from Othmann, which is exactly what I'm talking about in terms of relentless pursuit of the puck. By being relentless on this puck and going for it with pace, Othmann is take advantage and limit Zadorov's time at the blue line to make a decision. Zadorov is forced to try and seal the wall and keep the puck alive at the blue line, but it hops over his stick, allowing Othmann an opportunity to win a 50/50 puck here. What I like about this is how Othmann attacks the outside route instead of the inside to gain an advantage on Zadorov:
This was a big error on the turn by Zadorov, a most common turn made by defenders in breakout situations when trying to retrieve pucks there as well. Zadorov makes the situation harder on himself by turning to the middle, where he has to pivot almost entirely, causing him to lose speed and not match Othmann's foot speed.
Now, Othmann has the advantage in terms of speed differential here. He is able to easily take advantage of this situation, because a slow moving Zadorov and with him moving his feet faster, he has positive speed differential. Othmann is also able to separate more by pushing the puck in front of him, evading a stick check attempt from Zadorov to try and slow him down, and now Othmann has all the room he wants to try and make a play here. What I notice most about the next puck handling sequence from Othmann here is how he corrals the puck, then veers laterally to maneuver inside the offensive zone. By moving laterally and angling his route in that direction, it forces the goalie (Bussi) to move laterally and shift his positioning in the crease. Now, Zadorov had to move, and now Bussi has to adapt and move as well.
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Othmann delivers a really crisp shot on the far side of the net where he had room to shoot on Bussi there, and he beats Bussi clean with him going down.
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