Bruins and 'The Clog': How the 1-2-2 neutral-zone system could swing the series

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins call it The Clog. Their 1-2-2 neutral-zone system is designed to squeeze the air out of the opposition’s rush game.They have had 82 opportunities to practice it for the perfect opportunity.The Buffalo Sabres are excellent off the rush. Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch excel at bombing into the offensive zone and raining pucks on net. According to Clear Sight Analytics, the Sabres finished No. 9 in expected high-danger goals per 60 minutes of five-on-five play in this category. The Bruins will be up against it if they settle for high-event hockey.“They take off right away,” coach Marco Sturm said. “Their rush game, it’s not just the forwards. It’s the defensemen, too, if you look at all their stats and all their games. They have four really talented D. They always join. It’s not a three-man rush. It’s almost like a four or five automatic every time. So if you don’t manage the puck very well, we’re going to see this picture a lot. That’s something we just can’t play. We can’t play their way and their style. Because if we do, we lose.”The Bruins, however, are even better at defending such opponents.Advertisement