Defensemen in OTP

[6194life]

Ok so I switched from a forward playmaker to an offensive defenseman(99 pass, 95 off awr, 90 def awr) so I can start plays and quarterback a powerplay. Well, you can't do that, because players in OTP view defenseman as the players who pass to them so they can skate down the boards and pass it into the slot. Everytime.

I was on a tryout for a guy who wanted a PP quarterback and offensive defenseman(division 1) and I recieved 1 pass from him the entire game. The only pass I recieved, was on a powerplay, and I fake a slap shot and found a CPU player on the right faceoff dot for a one-timer. Goal.

The most entertaining games are the ones where people actually know what they're doing. I just played a game, had 1 goal and 4 assists with 2 people who actually set up on the powerplay(we finished 4-of-9) and in the zone.

[Smiley79]

If you're going to be on defense, it's one of those things that you just gotta get used to. I play defense as well, and hardly ever touch the puck (unless I steal it from the opponent). People seem to forget that there are other players in the offensive zone besides forwards. But those same people are quick to blame the defenders for any and all goals that are scored against them (when they could help out on defense sometimes).

[JMBOO]

Yeah, playing defense can get a little frustrating when you are playing in the online pick up games. Basically, unless you hit a forward with a great pass and he scores, prepare to get a lot of low grades for the stats section of your player.

I will say one of the best ways I have found to get guys to start giving you the puck more is to use the R1 + Rt Analog Dump pass to flip the puck out of the zone, even when you are at even strength. It helps your team rating (as long as the anouncers give you credit for clearing the zone) and sometimes, you can hit a streaking teammate for a sweet breakaway if you time it properly. If you do it a few times, the guys up front usually get the message.

Other than that, unless you make your own club or find a good group of guys to play with, you just have to take pleasure from thwarting the cherry-pickers and the cross-creasers and hope when you hit a guy with a spot on pass who is breaking up the ice, he is able to score to get you a point.

Oh, and playing with a dangler as a d-man can be lots of fun, if you have not tried it yet. Gives you a bit more leeway to get out on the break, and yet still be able to get back if something goes awry.

[Qb]

Setting up in the offensive zone (PP or not) and using your D-men at the points can be very effective, especially against teams that chase too much. As long as they make quick decisions at the point -- when all else fails, put it on net or pass it into the corner -- so they don't turn it over at the blueline, you can really get some good puck movement. If you've got a 5-man unit that works well together & communicates, you can even sneak in the back door for a goal or two...

[XiX_FaTe_XiX]

This is actually a good subject. I recently also switched back from C to LD. I play with a few friends and I take point on the PP and even in the offensive zone on even strength. I'm offensively minded so I do make a lot of plays.

We keep stats for the hell of it in the club so in 12 games I have 6 goals / 13 assists. I have a point in all 12 games also. It comes down to playing with people you know who will let you set it up. We move it around very efficiently and sometimes I'll let it rip. Every slapshot (with some team traffic) has a shot as going in. Whether it be a Gonchar-esque perfect top corner while the goalie is screened, or a Holmstrom tip in, you set it up.

Anything can happen if your team lets you play how you should.

[Scheib43]

Some of your teams have a-hole forwards then. Qb and I are teammates and have been since the beginning of OTP and he started at D and me at C and now he's at C and I'm at D, but either way, the forwards always looked back to the points and the D has always looked to facilitate the offense with shots, slap passes for deflections, wrist shots, open guys, etc. Maybe I'm lucky I'm on a team that plays a true team game of hockey. I think that is what makes us effective post-patch. We never had to change our style of play so there is no adapting to us, we just keep it rolling.

[Millennium]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scheib43

Some of your teams have a-hole forwards then. Qb and I are teammates and have been since the beginning of OTP and he started at D and me at C and now he's at C and I'm at D, but either way, the forwards always looked back to the points and the D has always looked to facilitate the offense with shots, slap passes for deflections, wrist shots, open guys, etc. Maybe I'm lucky I'm on a team that plays a true team game of hockey. I think that is what makes us effective post-patch. We never had to change our style of play so there is no adapting to us, we just keep it rolling.

Well, I definitely am looking forward to playing with you soon, Scheib